This week, we have updates from coaches on Hornets' team play this spring for field hockey, golf, boys and girls soccer, football and cross country.
Cross Country
Manchester-Essex Cross Country is hosting a co-op team with Gloucester and Rockport again this year. Based on time trials both teams look to be competitive in the Baker Division of the Cape Ann League.
The girls’ co-captains are Sabine Cooper (Sr) and Whitney Turner (Sr). The girls have some good depth with 10 girls. River Silva (Jr) and Libby McKinnon (Sr) are also returning runners which should have a big impact this year. Freshman Kalin Bennett rounds out the top 5 so far.
The boys’ tri-captains are Henry Stevens (Sr), Henry Chadbourne (Sr) and Lyall Cunningham (Jr). The boys have 12 runners with Stevens and Cunningham the top 2 runners. Most of the other runners will be vying for the next 3 top spots. First year runners James Aloi (So), Gus Hall (Fr) and Isaiah Nicastro (Fr) ran well in our time trial.
Our first meet is against Ipswich at Crane’s Beach on September 11.
Field Hockey
Field Hockey kicked off the first week of their season going 2-0, with a 6-0 win vs. Amesbury and a 3-0 win vs. Rockport. Our offense has been put to work this week as we controlled much of the play in both games. Across both games, our defense limited the opponents to getting only ONE shot on our goalie, Brigid. All members of the team contributed to these strong wins. Shout out to junior Laila Mears for tallying 4 goals this week, and sophomore Maya Frangioso for tallying 3 goals in her Varsity debut.
Amesbury:
Scorer: Laila Mears Assist: Abby Kent
Scorer: Maya Frangioso Assist: Summer Demeo
Scorer: Maya Frangioso Assist: Abby Kent
Scorer: Laila Mears Assist: Fiona Flynn.
Scorer: Abby Kent
Scorer: Laila Mears. Assist: Abby Kent
Rockport:
Goal: Maya Frangioso Assist: Abby Kent
Goal: Abby Kent
Goal: Laila Mears
Boys Soccer
The Manchester Essex boys’ soccer team is off to an undefeated start with wins over Hamilton Wenham and Amesbury to start the fall campaign. On Tuesday the Generals came to Hyland without one of their key center midfielders but still put up a fierce challenge for the Hornets. The first half of the match the field was tilted in favor of the Hornets with some excellent passing and combination play to create attacking chances. Manchester-Essex hit two posts and a crossbar before Imir Mustafa took on his man on the flank, beat him and slotted a perfect pass to Owen Olivier Meehan for the first goal of the match. Senior captain Sammy Bothwell would pick up a goal on a heads up play early in the second. When the HW keeper stepped outside of the box and was called for a hand ball, Sammy got to the ball quickly, placed it down, and scored before the Generals defense could set up. On Thursday, the boys traveled to Amesbury and earned a convincing 5-0 win. Bothwell’s shot was on early with a first half hat-trick. The fourth goal came off a spectacular assist from Ernest Taylor for a tap-in from sophomore Ronan McGilligan. The final came off a rebound chance with Shay Englehard crashing in to thump home the rebound for 5-0. Both matches featured excellent work from goalkeeper Keegan Brooks along with the back four and defensive center midfielders to keep two clean sheets.
Cheer
The Cheer team has been hard at work. We learned our competition routine at the end of August and have been practicing super hard the past couple weeks. We are led by our captains Audrey Smith, Maria Rising, and Elena Gangemi. These girls help with skills and practicing our half time routine and definitely have stepped into the captains role super well. Our first competition is at the end of October and we are looking forward to it. Friday was our first game away against West Bridgewater where the girls cheered on the football team to a win. Game day did great at the game and has also been working tumbling and stunting skills at practice along with our new assistant coach Erin Brahms who also works in the middle school. Erin joins the coaching staff with a gymnastics/ cheer background and has been helping the team significantly. We look forward to this season!
Girls Soccer
The Manchester Essex Girls’ soccer team kicked off their season with a 1-1 split. Facing the formidable Hamilton Wenham Generals in their opener, the Hornets found themselves on the defensive early on. Despite a stellar effort from Senior Captains Ella Arnsten and Madi Cook, who formed an impenetrable wall, the Generals snagged a goal off a tricky corner kick.
In the second half, the Generals scored again, stretching their lead to 2-0. But the Hornets didn’t roll over. Fueled by determination, Meg Hurd netted a stunning goal from a pass from Senior Captain Charlotte Crocker, keeping hope alive. With chances from Ava Dickerson and Tess Taylor, the Hornets fought valiantly but fell just short.
Rebounding from the loss, the Hornets put on a show in their first home game, coming out victorious against Amesbury 7-0! The scoring spree featured goals from six different players. Meg Hurd dazzled with an early goal, while Harper Brooks netted two—one from a sailing cross by Grace Scarbrough and the other from a well-placed shot. Libby Lawler’s tenacity paid off with a rebound goal, and Charlotte Crocker and Ava Dickerson combined twice for more highlights. Amesbury scored an own goal from a Hornets corner.
The Hornets proved their scoring prowess and teamwork, making it clear that they’re ready to make some noise this season. Onward and upward!
Golf
The Hornets golf team is off to a strong start with wins over a solid Triton Vikings team 143-129, and a veteran Pentucket squad 138-121. The two wins were followed by our first loss of the young season to a tough North Reading team by the score of 175-146.
The Triton match saw Captain Gray West, Jack Lawler and Matt DeOreo all score 25 points, and the entire team scored over 20 points each.
Gray West lead the way against Pentucket with 29 points, followed by Matt DeOreo with 26, Graham Lewis with 24 and Captain Jack McCavanagh with 22.
Jake Zschau had a season high 33 points in the loss to North Reading, with Jack Lawler carding an impressive 27 points.
Conner Dickson played well and posted 21 points for the Hornets.
A big week is in store this week with a match against a much-improved Amesbury team, before we return home to take on rival Rockport on Thursday afternoon.
