For an early-season matchup, this one could end up having huge implications.
The “Border Battle” rivalry was renewed on the Ould Newbury links on Friday afternoon, as it was a battle of two of the Cape Ann League’s best golf programs in Newburyport and Triton. But on this particular day, it was the Clippers getting the best of the Vikings to walk away with the nail-bitting victory, 168-161.
Leading the way for the Clippers was Braedan Aussant with 30 quote points, and he was closely followed by Jack Oreal (29) and Tom Gagnon (28). Meanwhile for Triton, Greg Muse, Josh Monteiro and Evan Allen all played well.
Nice win for Newburyport volleyball
It’s always interesting to see how a local volleyball team responds after losing a first set that goes to extra points.
Such was the case for Newburyport on Friday night, when it traveled over for a non-league match against Marblehead and dropped the opening set, 24-26. But the Clippers more than showed their grit, coming back to win the next set by the same 26-24 score before ultimately winning the match, 3-1 (24-26, 26-24, 25-18, 25-20).
Ellie LeDuc had a great game at the net for the victors with 9 kills, and Gabby Vigeant was solid all around with 8 kills and 3 aces. The Clippers (1-1) will look to make it two in a row when they host Essex Tech on Monday at 5 p.m.
Triton takes superpower Ipswich to five sets
If there ever was a loss that felt like a win, this was it.
Because at this point, the Ipswich volleyball program needs to introduction. The Tigers have absolutely built themselves into a state superpower this decade, having won the last four Division 4 State Championships.
Meanwhile, Triton didn’t win a single match last year.
But on Thursday evening, the unimaginable almost happened. A new-look Triton squad — which won its season opener against Winthrop — incredibly took Ipswich to five sets, ultimately falling 3-2 in what undoubtedly was a fantastic effort (25-21, 14-25, 25-13, 21-25, 7-15).
Leading the way for the Vikings (1-1) was Janey Leblanc, who came up with 12 digs and 5 aces. Olivia Basile set well with 6 assists, Aubrey Jodz had 5 kills and Abby Richard led the team with 2 blocks.
Triton will next travel to Hamilton-Wenham on Wednesday (5 p.m.).
Newburyport field hockey gets first win
It took a game, but the Newburyport field hockey offense certainly woke up on Friday afternoon.
Facing a good North Reading program, the Clippers saw four different athletes find the back of the cage to pick up the 4-1 win. Four seniors in Morgan Sweet, Sophie Johnson, Olivia Wilson and Charlotte Kealey all scored, and Blaire Fox assisted on Kealey’s goal.
The Clippers (1-1) will look to make it two in a row when they travel over to rival Pentucket on Monday afternoon.
Two tough setbacks for Georgetown girls soccer
After a season-opening win, the Georgetown girls soccer team has been on the wrong end of a pair of tough results.
The latest one came on Saturday evening, when the Royals lost to a strong Merrimack Valley opponent in Billerica, 2-1. A controversial call with under a minute to play gave the Indians a penalty kick, and the hosts converted to walk away with the win. Returning Daily News All-Star striker Jenna Johnson got the Royals started with a bullet from the 18 just a minute into the game, and despite the final result, Penny Church, Abbie Jarosch, Noelle Klimas and Liana Nakatsugawa played well on defense while goalie Cora Robinson made eight saves.
And this came after a 3-0 setback to Hamilton-Wenham on Thursday.
The Generals are fresh off a run to the Division 4 state championship game last year, but the Royals carried play and hit two posts in what was a scoreless first half. After the break, however, the Generals found an early goal before converting on a penalty kick. Robinson made six saves in net during the game for the Royals (1-2-0), who will look to get back into the win column when they host Amesbury on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Roche scores for Pentucket field hockey
The first positive result for new Pentucket field hockey coach Rachel Lapar is in the books.
Thanks to an unassisted goal from senior Cassidy Roche, the Panthers were able to earn a 1-1 draw against Essex Tech on Friday. Goalie and senior co-captain Hannah Bub had her second straight big game in the cage, coming up with 19 saves.
Pentucket (0-1-1) will look to get into the win column when it hosts rival Newburyport on Monday at 4 p.m.
Big tie for Bernier, Triton boys soccer
After playing well against a solid Essex Tech squad during its season opener, the Triton boys soccer team earned its first positive result of the year on Thursday.
Noah Bernier scored for the second straight game, and the Vikings were able squeak out a 1-1 draw against Lynnfield. Goalie Tim Clark had another solid game in net for the Vikings (0-1-1), who will next host North Reaidng on Tuesday with a 4:30 p.m. scheduled start.
Tough loss for Triton girls soccer
The Triton girls soccer team ran into a talented Lynnfield squad on the road on Thursday, falling 8-1. Sarah Ewell scored the lone goal for the Vikings (1-1) after following up on a free kick sent in by Emilia Shkurti.
The Vikings will look to get back on track when they travel up to play North Reading on Tuesday (4:45 p.m.).
Little improvements for Georgetown boys soccer
The Georgetown boys soccer team unfortunately took its second straight 5-0 loss to open the season, this one coming against Hamilton-Wenham on Thursday. But, the Royals, “played better than we did the first game,” according to coach Chris DiFranco, who saw goalie Peter Trougakos make 12 big saves.
The Royals will look to pick up their first win when they travel over to play Amesbury on Tuesday (4 p.m.).