When in doubt, play until the final whistle.
With No. 2 St. Mary’s and No. 18 Boston Latin squaring off in the Division 1 Sweet 16 this past Saturday, the Spartans certainly had their work cut out for them in a 4-2 victory.
Katy Sarazen and Alyssa Norden each found the back of the net for the hosts, but Boston Latin had the game knotted, 2-2, in the final minutes.
Then, the Catholic Central’s Most Valuable Player took over. St. Mary’s freshman Bella Freitas scored two goals late to solidify the win.
Celebration ensued at Connery Rink, and the Spartans advanced to the Elite 8 against No. 7 Shrewsbury, which defeated St. Mary’s in last season’s title game at TD Garden.
BOYS HOCKEY
Marblehead 3
Methuen 1
James Caeran and Hogan Sedky each scored late in the third period to lead No. 6 Marblehead to a second round win against No. 11 Methuen at Salem State.
Charlie Grenier’s empty-netter sealed the deal, and the Headers advanced to the Sweet 16 where they’ll face No. 3 Scituate.
Leo Burdge sported 20 saves for the victors, who have made quite the impression in coach Mark Marfione’s second season in charge.
St. John’s Prep 7
Wellesley 1
Talk about a versatile attack. Cooper Hosmer and Jake Vana each lit the lamp twice. Caleb White, Mason Luciano, and Brendan Powers tucked the others, and the No. 1 Eagles defeated No. 16 Wellesley, 7-1, on Saturday.
The Prep takes on the winner of Monday’s matchup between No. 24 Braintree and No. 8 Hingham.
Winthrop 6
Hudson 1
If Saturday’s theme was blowout hockey games, top-seeded Winthrop joined the party in a 6-1 thrashing of No. 17 Hudson at home. Leading the way were Petey Silverman (goal, 3 assists) and Philly Boncore (2 goals, assist).
Mikey Holgersen, Colin O’lear, and Jay Fortiades all found twine, while Joe Pumphret dished out two helpers and Mikey Donahue played well between the pipes.
The Vikings look to conquer No. 24 Ashland in the Elite 8, which has already upset No. 9 Medway and No. 8 Martha’s Vineyard this postseason.
Somerset Berkley Regional 6
Essex Tech 0
Sometimes, it’s just not your night. No. 5 Essex Tech had the better ranking and home ice Sunday night, but it wasn’t enough to stop a No. 12 Somerset Berkley Regional upset.
The Hawks checked out with a 13-8-1 record behind coach Mark Leonard, of Peabody.
GIRLS HOCKEY
PLNR 2
Pope Francis 1
Call it an upset. In a defensive thriller on enemy ice, the No. 9 Peabody-Lynnfield-North Reading girls hockey team squeaked by No. 8 Pope Francis, 2-1, Sunday evening.
After a scoreless first period, Eleni Spack broke the ice in the second. Pope found its equalizer on the power play in the third, and nearly took the lead after some PLNR penalty problems.
But, in the end, Shirley Whitmore banged one home in the third for the eventual game-winning tally.
PLNR heads to No. 1 Notre Dame (Hingham) this Wednesday at 8 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Martha’s Vineyard 63
Lynnfield 47
The No. 22 Lynnfield Pioneers fought until the end, but returned home from No. 22 Martha’s Vineyard empty-handed on Saturday.
In the 63-47 defeat, juniors Iain McCarthy (11 points) and Alex Fleming (10) led the scoring charge, while freshman Grant Neal connected three times from downtown.
“I’m really proud of the fight and the season these kids had. They always gave 100 percent and I was very fortunate to coach this group,” said coach John Bakopoulos, whose Pioneers finished with a 15-6 record. “The senior class of Paul Breslow and Chris Daniels had great seasons and really left a great foundation.”
