Magicians weekly sports update – Marblehead Current

SGirls cross-country escapes past Swampscott

Technically, the Marblehead High girls cross-country track team (2-1) tied visiting Swampscott on the 3.05-mile Gatchell Park home course, 28-28 on Sept. 18, but the Magicians won this meet based on the sixth-place tiebreaker.

Marblehead’s junior star runner Marri O’Connell once again led the way with a first-place finish. Her time of 18:56 ended up smashing the existing course record of 19:20. But then, the Big Blue took the next three spots, led by their breakout freshman harrier star Annabelle Averett (20:05).

Abbie Goodwin (23:02), Ruby Assa (23:37) and Evelina Beletsky (23:57) got their Marblehead teammates back in the race with fifth, sixth and seventh finishes. Swampscott’s fourth runner finished eighth after a strong final mile push that catapulted her past two runners.

Ultimately though, it was Marblehead’s fifth and sixth place runners — Evie Becker (24:09) and Jesslyn Roemer (24:21) — who were the difference makers in the outcome of this meet.

“Jesslyn’s finish offset Swampscott’s fifth runner by one place, which was enough to (invoke) the

tiebreaker,” said coach William Herlihy.

The Magicians will remain at home to go up against visiting Winthrop Sept. 25, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Boys remain perfect after three meets

The Marblehead High boys cross-country team (3-0) defeated Swampscott, 21-37 at Gatchell Park last Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Will Cerrutti (17:02) and Nate Assa (17:04) took the top two spots against the Big Blue. Teammates Henrik Adams, Will Cruikshank, Jacob Szalewicz and Jonah Potach followed them across the finish line in fifth through eighth place.

Winthrop is next up to invade Gatchell Park to take on the Magicians Sept. 25, beginning at

4:30 p.m.

Magicians all tied up on the pitch

The Marblehead High girls soccer team (2-1-3) opened up last week with a 1-1 tie against Beverly on Sept. 16.

The Marblehead girls took a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second half on a goal by Sadie Halpern assisted by Liv Carlson. But Beverly was able to tie it up on a free kick 20 minutes later to help secure a point in the standings.

“Our girls played hard,” said coach Lisa Wales. “They were physical, when they needed to be, and there was also no quit in them. Hailey Gilmore made a great save in the first half to keep the game scoreless. Overall, I’m proud of the entire team’s efforts.”

Lucy McDonald, Courtney Hitscherich and Sadie Halpern were all singled out by the second-year coach for their significant contributions in this game.

The Magicians then settled for another tie, this time against Saugus two days later, 2-2.

Callle Gilmore and Sammy Dosch scored the Marblehead goals. It was Gilmore’s fifth goal of the year.

Dosch also assisted on Gilmore’s tally, while Hitscherich set up her score.

“We knew Saugus was going to be tough, and with two of our starters out — one on concussion protocol and the other one less than 30 seconds into the game — we were challenged, but the girls used this as an opportunity to step up and they all did,” said Wales.

“Our back four — Ainsley McDonald, captain Ava Macado, Cam O’Brien and Cora Gerson — played a fantastic 80 minutes against a strong Saugus offense,” the coach added. “Our midfield did a terrific job layering when necessary to get the ball out wide. The midfielders were led by Courtney Hitsherich, Callie Gilmore and Lucy McDonald.”

Dosch came off the bench, and was the difference maker, according to Wales. She set up the first goal by taking the ball to the corner, before perfectly placing a cross to Gilmore, who headed it home. Dosch then scored the tying goal with 15 minutes left in the game after heading home a well-placed corner kick by Hitsherich, who always has three goals and three assists this season.

Wales also praised the contributions of strikers Lucy Church, captain Sophie Robinson and Liv Carlson, who worked hard to move the ball in order to press the Saugus defense with many shots on net.

Goalies Lily Heller and Callie Gilmore were solid in net, with Lily making five saves and Hailey four that helped secure another point in the standings for their teammates.

“Sometimes a tie feels like a win, and this was one of those games,” said Wales. “We (as a coaching staff) couldn’t be prouder of the effort and grit shown by the girls against the Sachems.”

After games against Danvers (Sept. 20) and non-league St. Mary’s of Lynn (Sept. 23) after press deadline, the Marblehead girls will head to Boxford Sept. 25 to take on the Masconomet Chieftains, starting at 4 p.m. They will be at Salem to face the Witches two days later at the same time.

Volleyball team wins twice more

The Marblehead High volleyball team (5-2) won two more matches against Peabody and Beverly last week.

After a tough first game, the Magicians won the next three to beat the Tanners in four games on Sept. 13.

Greta Sachs once again dominated the offense with 15 kills and five blocks. Mari Modryznksa made shots at critical moments to secure the win. She was credited with nine kills, four aces and 11 digs to help seal the deal. Setter Eva Burke picked up 28 assists during the win over Peabody.

“We continue to work on confidence and coming out strong in matches,” said coach Killeen Miller. “Although we started slowly making many errors in the first game, we took back possession in the second game to carry that through into the next two to beat Peabody.”

The Magicians then defeated Beverly in three games on Sept. 18. Modryznska (11 kills) and Sachs (10 kills) led the offense in all three sets. Burke came up with 26 assists to maintain the momentum.

“Our (receiving) serves remained consistent and strong that gave us an opportunity to run a hugely effective offense,” said Miller.

Megan Parkman led the team in digs with seven. “(Parkman’s) communication and hustle as the libero continues to enable our offense to become more consistent,” added Miller.

The Magicians took on host Notre Dame Academy of Hingham last Friday after press deadline.

Golfers keep on winning

The Marblehead golfers (8-2) won three more matches last week against Danvers, Masco and Salem, as they continue to right the ship after a slow start to the season.

On Sept. 19 at Tedesco, the Magicians took care of Danvers, 38.5-33.5. Marty Ryan (5.5-3.5), Tyler Forbes (6.5-2.5), Jacob Hershfield (6.5-2.5) and Max King (6-3) won their matches against the Falcons.

James Bickell, Greyson Leventhal and Will Macrina ended up with ties. Ryan and Hershfield were the team’s medalists after they each shot 36.

The Magicians took a trip to Ferncroft to go up against Masco the next day, and proceeded to take care of the Chieftains to the tune of 39-33.

Hershfield (6-3), Bickell (5-4), Leventhal (5.5-3.5), King (8-1) and Macrina (5-4) won their matches at Ferncroft. Ryan tied his to account for the final score. Ryan and Bickell each shot 38 to end up as the team’s medalists.

It was then back home to face Salem at Tedesco to wrap up three matches in as many days, and they dominated the Witches, 59.5-12.5.

Ryan, Forbes, Hershfield, Bickell, Leventhal, King, Macrina and Dylan Whitman swept their bordering neighbors off the course. Ryan was this match’s medalist with a 35.

These Magicians have since had a few days off, before taking on host Peabody at The Meadow Sept. 25, starting at 4 p.m.

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