Girls soccer makes history
The Marblehead High girls soccer team won a hard-fought 1-0 game on opening day (Sept. 3), on the road in Boxford against Masco. It’s the first time in the history of the program that the varsity was able to beat the Chieftains since they joined the Northeastern Conference at the end of the last decade.
Senior Courtney Hitscherich scored the game-winner with seven minutes to go in the first half on a solo effort. Courtney’s goal was able to stand up, and it was all because of good goaltending and defense. Junior Hailey Gilmore did her part in net to record the shutout with five saves.
“This was a total team effort,” said second-year coach Lisa Wales. “I’m incredibly proud of these girls, because Masco is always tough against us, but this time we made history in this rivalry.
Wales also mentioned the defense, led by junior Ainsley McDonald, and senior captains Ashley Mortensen and Sydney Ball. “All three players were outstanding in this game,” the coach said. “Liv Carlson also had a terrific game, along with Callie Gilmore and Lucy McDonald, and all three worked tirelessly together at midfield to help secure the shutout, as well.”
Field hockey ties Fenwick to complete week one
Alison Carey’s debut as the Marblehead High field hockey coach did not go according to plan. Opening up at home against Malden Catholic on Sept. 2, her squad ended up on the short end of a 3-0 score. But this game certainly didn’t reflect the effort that was on display on the field.
“I’m incredibly proud of the way the team played against Malden Catholic,” said Carey. “Our season began last week with a scrimmage against Lynnfield, which gave us a helpful perspective on our game play. Since that scrimmage, we have been working hard in practice to get into the habit of playing the whole field in order to create passing opportunities, not to mention boosting our overall on-field communications. That effort showed in this game against Malden Catholic.”
Carey credits goalie Elizabeth Hayes with clutch stops — seven to be exact — to keep her teammates close on the scoreboard. The coach also praised the defense for its commendable work in the corners, while specifically singling out Avery Wysor, who was “extremely effective as a flyer,” she said. “That’s a tough position to play, and she is absolutely fearless when it comes to putting pressure on the opposing team.”
The Magicians (0-1-1) then bounced back somewhat against Bishop Fenwick two days later against Bishop Fenwick at Piper. Both teams were able to leave the field with a point as a result of a hard-fought, high scoring 5-5 tie.
The Marblehead offense had an incredibly strong game with single goals coming from Carolyn Black, Chloe Rowland and Emma Ryan. Sadie Beane, making her varsity debut, paced the attack with two scores. Julia Mann assisted on Black’s goal.
“Our offense did a great job putting pressure on Bishop Fenwick,” said Carey. “During practices, we have been working on producing more scoring opportunities and trusting teammates to set up in front of the net for rebounds, and it paid off for us in this game against Fenwick.”
Golfers take winning swings
Coach Bob Green’s Marblehead High golf team (4-1) opened up its season with a win over non-league St. Mary’s of Lynn at Tedesco on Aug. 26, 45.5-26.5.
Co-captain Tyler Forbes (5.5-3.5), Max King (7.5-1.5), Greyson Leventhal (5-4). Will Macrina (7.5-1.5), co-captain Joy Meshulam (6.5-2.5), Colby Moore (5-4) and Dylan Whitman (5.5-3.5) were victorious in their matches. Macrina was the team’s first medalist of the season after shooting a 35, which was the lowest score of the day for the home team.
But two days later at Black Swan Country Club in Georgetown, non-league Austin Prep topped the Marblehead boys, 50-40.
Bowden Laramie and Meshulam won their matches for the locals, while Forbes and Leventhal were able to tie their matches. Forbes was the team’s medalist with a 39.
After resting up over Labor Day weekend with also possibly getting a few rounds in for practice, the Marblehead golfers returned to Tedesco to defeat Gloucester on Sept. 2, 38.5-33.5.
Macrina (6-3), Meshulam (6.5-2.5), Whitman (5.5-3.5) and Laramie (6.5-2.5) collected the individual wins. Forbes settled for a tie, 4.5-4.5. He was also the team’s medalist after shooting a 37.
The Magicians then cruised past visiting Peabody the next day, 61.5-10.5.
Forbes, King, Leventhal, Macrina, Meshulam, Moore, Whitman and Zac Plum secured the wins. Macrina and Moore shared the medalist honor with identical scores of 36.
In the return match at The Meadow in Peabody on Sept. 4, it was pretty much more of the same results for the Magicians. This time as the visitors, they defeated the Tanners, 57-15.
Leventhal, Macrina, Meshulam, Moore, Whitman and Teddy Dulac recorded victories for the visitors. Leventhal was the team medalist with a 36.
Volleyball blanks Masco
Coach Killeen Miller’s volleyball team opened up at home on Sept. 3 with a decisive 3–0 victory over Masco.
Sammy Walker (7 kills) and Mari Modrzynska (6 kills) led the attack on offense. The Magicians as a whole posted a collective 25 kills with only two errors.
On the defensive side, Sydney Faris as the anchor for receiving serves led the way with eight digs. Greta Sachs contributed three blocks to the winning cause, while setter Eva Burke was credited with 18 assists.
Split decision for the harriers on new home course
On Marblehead’s new home cross-country course at Lead Mills (2.97 miles), the girls team defeated Swampscott, 44-19 on Sept. 3, again the lower score in cross-country wins.
Marri O’Connell picked up right where she left off in prior years by winning another Northeastern Conference Meet, but this time the senior did it on her new home course in a time of 18:58.
Swampscott’s standout sophomore Annabelle Averett (19:39) finished second. But the Magicians took the next eight places with a mix of newcomers and returning athletes to seal the deal.
“Junior Sarah Munroe and sophomore Norah Walsh made the switch from soccer this fall, and in so making their cross-country debuts together on the same day, they still managed to finish third and fourth, respectively,” said coach Will Herlihy. “Returning sophomores Ruby Assa and Evie Becker came in fifth and sixth. Senior Hailey Schmitt, also a cross-country newcomer, ended up seventh, while returning junior Evelina Beletsky rounded out the Top 10 Marblehead runners in eighth place.”
The boys team, however, lost to the Big Blue, 22-33.
“This was the first race on our new course in Marblehead,” said coach Brian Heenan. “While our top three runners had a very competitive race against Swampscott’s top five, the Big Blue still came out on top.”
Senior captain Henrik Adams won the overall race in 17:05. He was followed by his fellow senior captains Zach Pike (17:23, fifth) and Will Cruikshank (17:35, eighth).
