Wait over for girls lacrosse

Magicians explode past Salem, Saugus to break into win column

BY JOE McCONNELL

After starting the season with eight straight losses, the Marblehead High girls lacrosse team (2-5 in the Northeastern Conference, 2-8 overall) finally broke into the win column, and they did it in style, beating Salem going away, 15-2, on April 27. They shut out the Witches in the first half, 12-0.

The Marblehead girls then upended host Saugus on April 28, 16-2, to secure their second straight triumph. It was 11-1 at the break.

Earlier in the week, coach Annie Madden’s crew dropped a most competitive game to Masco, 11-9, while showing signs they were beginning to turn the corner in a positive direction.

Against Salem, Sydney Langton (3 goals, 1 assist, 1 groundball, 1 interception, 1 draw control) and Lucy Wales (3 goals, 2 assists, 1 groundball) paced the offensive attack, along with Ramona Gillett, who had four goals, one groundball, one caused turnover and six draw controls.

Gretchen Smith (1 goal, 1

BY JOE MCCONNELL

Even when they are involved in a close struggle, the Marblehead High boys lacrosse team (6-0 in the Northeastern Conference, 8-0 overall) finds a way to win.

After a narrow escape against Masconomet on April 25, the team’s perfect season is intact as the calendar flips to May and the second half of the season begins.

In the Masco game, the Magicians came roaring back from a late two-goal deficit, 10-8, to send the game into overtime. The extra period only lasted two minutes before Carter Laramie shot home the game-winner assisted by Connor Cronin.

Appropriately, Cronin figured into the winning tally after he netted the final two goals in regulation that created the exciting finish. Cronin finished up with four goals and four assists to lead the attack against the Chieftains.

Laramie was not far behind with four goals and one assist. Baxter Jennings poked two shots home. Cam Waldman chipped in with one goal and one assist. James Bickell setup two scores.

Finn Maniaci came up with 10 saves to keep things close on the scoreboard, arguably one of his best efforts this season.

“Masco always brings it when we play them every year,” said coach John Wilkens. “We didn’t play our best against them this year but still found a way to dig down and pull out another victory. We were sloppy at times, and it cost us on defense, but fortunately not enough to lose the game.”

The Marblehead boys recorded their eighth overall win two days later, when they exploded past Salem, 18-0.

Reece Moore, Jack Whipple, Nick Whitaker, Jennings, Waldman and Bickell led the way on offense with two goals apiece. Moore was also credited with an assist. Laramie chipped in with one goal and one assist in this game. Conor Sheridan tallied once, along with Brody Smith and Charlie Grenier.

Cronin was the leader in assists with five. Zander Danforth, Drew Nelson and Conor Murnane each picked up one assist.

Maniaci was in net throughout the first half, making just one stop, while backup Finn Gallup took over the goaltending chores in the second half and came up with four saves to help preserve the shutout.

With the prospects of an undefeated season still very much a reality, the Magicians went up against Beverly on Monday, May 2, after press deadline, before taking off for Danvers to face the Falcons Thursday, starting at 4:30 p.m.

MHS Va RSIT y SPORTS SCHEDULES

Wednesday, May 3

4 p.m. girls tennis vs. Gloucester at Gloucester High

4 p.m. boys tennis vs. Gloucester at Marblehead High

4:30 p.m. baseball vs. Saugus at Seaside Park

Thursday, May 4

4 p.m. softball vs. Salem at Marblehead Veterans Middle School

4:30 p.m. girls lacrosse vs. Danvers at Marblehead High Piper Field

4:30 p.m. boys lacrosse vs. Danvers at Danvers High

Friday, May 5

4 p.m. boys and girls track vs. Masconomet at Bertram Field, Salem

4 p.m. softball vs. Saugus at Belmonte School, Saugus

4 p.m. girls tennis vs. Beverly at Beverly High

4 p.m. boys tennis vs. Beverly at Marblehead High

4:30 p.m. baseball vs. Gloucester at Seaside Park

Saturday, May 6

10 a.m. boys and girls track NEC Freshman-Sophomore Meet at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School

3 p.m. softball vs. Mansfield at Marblehead Veterans Middle School

4 p.m. girls lacrosse vs. Reading at Reading Memorial High

Monday, May 8

4 p.m. softball vs. Masconomet at Marblehead Veterans Middle School

4 p.m. girls tennis vs. Danvers at Marblehead High

4:30 p.m. girls lacrosse vs. Gloucester Marblehead High Piper Field

4:30 p.m. boys lacrosse vs. Gloucester Gloucester High

Tuesday, May 9 4 p.m. boys tennis vs. Swampscott at Marblehead High 4 p.m. girls tennis vs. Swampscott at Swampscott Middle

Wednesday, May 10 p.m. baseball vs. Masconomet at Seaside Park 4 p.m. girls and boys track vs. Beverly at Village School Hopkins Field p.m. boys lacrosse vs. Bedford, New Hampshire at Marblehead High Piper Field