School Roundup: St. Mary’s girls’ lacrosse drops heartbreaker

After taking the lead late into the second half, St. Mary?s gave up two costly goals within two minutes to lose a heartbreaker, 10-9, to Archbishop Williams in the season opener on Monday. The Spartans tried to run out the clock with a 9-8 lead, but Williams stole back possession and tied it up with just over a minute remaining. Williams then scored the winning goal with just over 20 seconds left in the game.
?They?re very talented, so we had to double (team) certain players,” Spartans? coach Al Eaton said. “And when that happens, other people get open and our girls had to work that much harder.”
Junior Maggie Flaherty led the way for the Spartans with five goals. Sophomore Elizabeth Weisse added two goals, while Sophya Fuccione and Ellie Martin scored one goal each.
Senior Emma Harvey was strong in net, making some big saves in big moments, according to Eaton.
GIRLS? LACROSSE
Peabody 11, Gloucester 3
The Peabody girls started off their season with a convincing win over Gloucester, pulling out a strong defensive performance that was led by Sarah Godschall, Amanda Bradley, Dayna Vadala and Mia Lomasney. Peabody also got some great goaltending from the duo of Gianna Denisco, who had seven saves, and Ali Hennigan (four).
The Tanners were led in scoring by Sarah Napolitano, who had seven points, Lauren Wolff (four) points and Sydney Cooke (two). Adrianna Raneri and Emma Rigol each scored a point.
BOYS? LACROSSE
Archbishop Williams 21, St. Mary?s 7
The Spartans had no answer for Archbishop Williams, one of the better teams in Division 3, in Monday?s season opener. St. Mary?s has not had much time outside yet this season, according to coach Shawn Anderson, and it certainly played a part in the loss.
?We?ve been stuck inside most of the time,” Anderson said. “When you get outside, it?s a whole different game.”
The Spartans had some bright spots, however. Sophomore Dante Maribito had four goals and two assists and senior captains Austin Franco had two goals and an assist and James Torosian had a goal and an assist.
?We did some good things,” Anderson said. “There?s only good things ahead for St. Mary?s boys? lacrosse.”
Beverly 11, Winchester 10 (OT)
The Panthers won a thriller in their first game of the season, beating Winchester in overtime on Monday. Winchester scored the tying goal with just over a minute remaining in regulation.
?It was a good back-and-forth game,” Beverly coach John Pynchon said. “We?ve played Winchester in our first game for the past six years or so, and they always play us neck and neck.
?It?s good to get the win to start off the season. And it?s great to play meaningful games again.”
Hunter Spencer had three goals and three assists for the Panthers. Sam Abate, Ian Butler and Jordan Rawding each scored two goals, while Abate and Rawding also had two assists each. Peter Mulumba and Chris Vallette each scored a goal, with Mulumba adding an assist as well.
Westford Academy 10, Marblehead 4
The Magicians had a rough start to their season. Marblehead didn?t execute well for most of the game and had a tough time against a good Westford team.
?We made a lot of poor decisions,” coach John Wilkens said. “We really beat ourselves today.”
Senior captain midfielder Brooks Tyrrell had three goals for Marblehead and Max Orrock had the other. Senior goalie Nathan Maselek recorded 18 saves in the loss.
?The game was probably closer than the score indicates,” Wilkens said. “But we have to make better choices out there and not throw the ball away.”POSTPONEMENTS
St. Mary?s at Austin Prep girls? tennis is rescheduled for April 9 at 3:30 p.m.
St. Mary?s vs. Austin Prep boys? tennis is rescheduled for May 27 at 3:30 p.m.