GIRLS SOCCER
Salem 2, Danvers 1: A missile from Jackie Fritz from outside the box stood up as the game-winner as Salem (8-4-3) defeated Danvers for the first time in close to 20 years and also officially clinched a state tournament berth. Jaliyah Valerio also scored, assisted by Caroline Antczak, while Amelia Meegan had an incredible game in net with 10 saves. Also played well for Salem were Julia Gauthier, Madyson Eichel, Isla Hepner, Makenzie Eichel, Dever Cornell and Ally Bedard.
Danvers (6-5-4) got on the board when Mia St. Pierre scored with eight minutes to go but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Masconomet 1, Swampscott 0: Senior Evy Mills posted her 50th career varsity shutout, and 12th in 14 games this season, as the Chieftains (11-1-2) went on the road and won a battle of NEC divisional leaders. Senior Maggie Blosser had the game’s only goal, assisted by twin sister Lily, and Alessia Ross, Ada Paglierani, Brooke Hagerty, and Brooke Hogan played well on defense.
Peabody 6, Gloucester 0: Seniors Emma Wardle, Avery Bettencourt and Ava Barresi were among the scorers as the Tanners (8-6-2) clinched a playoff berth with their fourth straight win on Senior Day. Also playing well on Senior Day were Marley Loring, Victoria Vaz (assist), Cara Corriveau and Gabby Meola. Other goal scorers were Zellie Campbell, Brielle Broughton and Gabriella Galbiati.
Beverly 2, Saugus 1: Addie Abell and Violet Acheson buried goals as the Panthers (10-1-1) outlasted the Sachems. The tallies were set up thanks to assists from Jaydin Simpson and Sasha Miller while both Clara Kostro and Val Harrison-Cowley made some timely saves in net.
Bishop Fenwick 2, Cardinal Spellman 1: Maeve O’Donnell scored with an assist from Reese Spurchise and Mia Sanchez also scored to help the Crusaders hit double digit wins in moving to 10-1-2.
GOLF
St. John’s Prep, Beverly compete in North: At the Division 1 North sectional at Black Swan, St. John’s Prep came in third as a team at 30-over-par, eight strokes shy of rival and champion BC High, while Beverly’s plus-49 was good for 10th place among the qualifying squads.
The Eagles showed their depth as AJ Bodnar, Seamus O’Holleran and LB Manning all shot 7-over to tie for ninth place out of 86 competitors.
Beverly’s Tyler Chin Aleong also carded a 79 to finish tied for ninth, with all four tying for the top showing among local linksmen.
Zach Enners tied for 25th for St. John’s and Anthony Barror had a nice round for the Panthers, tying for 27th.
BOYS SOCCER
Masconomet 4, Swampscott 0: Will Highgas had a hat trick and the Chieftains (11-1-1) posted their third straight shutout to remain in control of a tight NEC title race. Assists on Highgas’ tallies went to Luke Fiedler, Sam Costa and Massimo Rullo and Costa also set up a goal by Hudson Layne. Strong play by Aiden Denham and Silas Harrison in the midfield as well as Collin Sutton and Charlie Heres in the back helped secure the clean sheet.
Gloucester 3, Peabody 2: The Tanners jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Jason Decost and Brenno Lyra but fell victim to the Fisherman. Also playing well for Peabody were Jon Ward and Thad Broughton.
Salem 2, Danvers 0: Senior captain Henry Beauparlant scored twice in the second half to lift the Witches to victory. Will Kropilak and Gavin Watson-Bertrand played well for Salem and Max Warren earned another shoutout with a sterling effort in net.
Beverly 2, Saugus 0: Outshooting the Sachems 18-2, the Panthers were rewarded for their hard work with a pair of goals in the final 10 minutes of play. Captain Connor Sullivan scored the first from Sawyer Wagner, followed by Jake Caron’s goal off a Will Gavenas feed. Adam Porcello earned another shutout in net for the Orange-and-Black (now 9-5).
Bishop Fenwick 2, Cardinal Spellman 1: The Crusaders improved to 7-4-3 with a road triumph in Brockton.
FIELD HOCKEY
Masconomet 2, Marblehead 0: Senior captain Mia Marques earned her 100th career point on an assist as the Chieftains (8-3-2) avenged one of their losses by scoring twice in the third quarter to down the Magicians on the Boxford Commons turf. Amelia Palermo and Avery Casey scored the goals, Izzy Celafo and Marques had assists, Emma Addonizio had a defensive save, and goalie Sabrina Cafarrelli made a dozen saves, giving her 322 for her varsity career.
Peabody 4, Malden 0: Senior captain Elizabeth Moore had her second hat trick against the Golden Tornadoes in as many meetings this season, giving the Tanners (3-12) their second straight win. Eighth grader Mia Collins also scored for Peabody, which finished with 26 shots on net while its own goalie, Mia Carey, needed to make just four to pick up the shutout. Eva Briggs and Amayah Francher had strong defensive games for the winners, with Teagan Palmer was excellent with her passing and shots on goal.
VOLLEYBALL
Salem 3, Saugus 0: Now with the second-most wins in one season (13) in program history, the Witches ran their winning streak to 12 consecutive matches as senior Olivia Warren had seven kills and junior Callie L’Italien dominated from the service line, totaling seven aces on 95.7% serving. Senior captain Yanalis Ventura (10 digs) and junior Shaniah Ozuna (4 kills on 0.500 hitting efficiency) were also keys to Salem’s victory.
Masconomet 3, Peabody 1: Manya Kari had 13 kills and served up five aced in the Chieftains’ 25-20, 25-15, 20-25, 25-20 victory. Sophia Balducci also had a great game with 25 digs.
UNIFIED BASKETBALL
Triton 58, Salem 40: Ju’Eliz Ruiz had a team-best 10 points for the Salem Unified basketball Witches, which also everyone taking multiple shots and almost everyone getting onto the scoresheet. Alany Ortiz went on a second half scoring run, finishing with six points.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE TENNIS
Endicott 7, Suffolk 0: It was a clean sweep for the Gulls with Gabby Mazzeo and Natalie Uzelac teaming to win first doubles and each winning a singles match. Doing the same were Amber Woods and Abbey Fleming as well as Sofia Montoya and Milania Montini.
COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY
Fitchburg State 4, Salem State 3: The Vikings (1-11) were behind by four goals entering the fourth quarter and staged an impressive comeback that fell just short with two goals by Sophia Kameese and one by Grace Morey.
Endicott 2, St. Jospeh Maine 1: Abby Antonelli and Madison Barwood scored in the first half for the No. 17 nationally ranked Gulls, who played spotless defense in the third and fourth quarters to improve to 13-4.
MEN’S COLLEGE SOCCER
Salem State 2, Regis 0: Now winners of seven straight, the nationally ranked Vikings (13-1-1) got a goal 34 minutes in from Nanderson Curtis plus an insurance tally from Ishmail Kamara in the 79th minute (assisted by David Alas) to prevail. The shutout was turned in by goalkeeper Marcelo Silva (now 3-0-0), who made five saves.