Roundup: Marblehead girls soccer wins league title

The Marblehead girls soccer team will enter the MIAA state tournament on a high note following Wednesday?s 2-0 victory over rival-Swampscott that clinched the Northeastern Conference?s Small title.?The girls have had a terrific season thus far and they continued to step up in a big way today,” said Andrew Bub who guided Marblehead to a 15-1-3 record and potentially a first round bye.?This was certainly a nice way to wrap up the regular season,” said Bub.Mia Bongiorno opened the scoring on a direct kick with 15 minutes remaining in the second half before Carlyn McGrath added an insurance tally four minutes later. Goalkeeper Lauren Unterborn pitched her 11th shutout of the season for the Magicians, who got a strong showing from senior sweeper Kelly Neely.?I thought both teams played very well today and should be able to build off this game heading into the postseason,” said Big Blue coach Ken Leeder, whose team failed to capitalize on any of its 10 corner kicks.?We had plenty of chances but we couldn?t bury any of them. Marblehead finished its chances and they deserve credit for doing so,” said Leeder.Leeder said that Swampscott (13-5-1) projects as a four/five seed in the upcoming state tournament, whose pairings will be unveiled today.Sam Rizzo made eight saves for the hosts in front of strong defensive games from the tandem of senior Nikki Rose and sophomore Maggie DiGrande.Fenwick 2, Ipswich 1At Ipswich, the Crusaders rallied from a goal down to conclude their regular season at 14-4 overall. Danielle DelTorto and Ally Charette scored for Fenwick. Lynn?s Jackie Edgett had an assist and goalie Merry Harrington had five saves.MIAA FIELD HOCKEYDivision 2 North First RoundTewksbury 2, Marblehead 1 (OT)At Marblehead, the No.4 Magicians? season came an end in the most heartbreaking of fashions. Leading 1-0 late in regulation, Marblehead (13-5-2) yielded the tying goal on a breakaway with three minutes remaining before the No.13 Redmen prevailed in a 7-on-7 overtime.?This was as tight-knit a group of hard workers that I have coached in years,” said Linda Collins. “We?re graduating 15 seniors who were as supportive and encouraging as any class I?ve had in my time here. I?m truly devastated for them.”Kendall Casey scored Marblehead?s lone goal, 13 minutes into the game, assisted by Emily Mills. Senior goaltender Cassidy Alla finished with seven saves.Wayland 3, Swampscott 1At Swampscott, 20-plus saves from Katie Papel wasn?t enough for the No.7 Big Blue, who were upset by the No.10 Warriors.Wayland led 2-0 at halftime before senior Amy Aylward cut the deficit in half a minute into the second session, assisted by Annie Kane. The visitors capped the scoring with five minutes remaining in regulation.?The girls put together a terrific season. I?m already excited for next year,” first-year coach Jamie Spano said.Swampscott finished 10-5-4.Gloucester 3, Ipswich 2 (3 OT)At Ipswich, the No.11 Fishermen pulled off a nail biting upset over the No.6 Tigers in a game that needed three extra periods. Gloucester (10-7-3) advances to the quarterfinals for a matchup with No.3 Weston on Friday (2:30).BOYS SOCCERMarblehead 0, Beverly 0At Beverly, the Panthers carried the play for most of the contest, but settled for a single point. Beverly (12-0-6), the runner up in the Northeastern Conference (Large), will look to build off last season?s success in the playoffs where it defeated North Shore Tech, 2-1, in the opening round before falling to Concord-Carlisle.Marblehead (9-7-4) got a strong showing from the midfield-trio of Chris Colcord, Ignacio Moreno and Liam Healey.VOLLEYBALLKIPP 3, Boston Prep 0At Boston, the Tigers concluded their regular season with a sweep (25-15, 25-18, 25-17), led by the trio of Sherrece Doman, Brianna Collins and Shi Bohannon. KIPP opens tournament play tonight at home against South Shore (6) with a trip to Monday?s semifinals hanging in the balance.