~ RHS Patriots Sports Roundup ~

Revere field hockey snaps seven-year drought, heads back to state tournament

By Dom Nicastro

The Revere High School field hockey team completed one of the program’s best comeback seasons in years, earning a state tournament berth for the first time since 2018.

Under first-year head coach Victoria Correia, who served as an assistant last fall, the Patriots finished 10-7-1 after going 4-11-1 a year ago. The team also captured the Greater Boston League crown, finishing unbeaten in league play at 3-0-1. Revere earned the 35th seed in Division 2 and were scheduled to travel to Dartmouth to face 30th-seeded Bishop Stang on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Correia said the turnaround was fueled by a determined senior class that led both on and off the field.

“They’re go-getters,” she said. “Whatever they wanted, they worked for. They kept pushing and believed in what we were building.”

That senior core — captains Isabella Mendieta, Gemma Stamatopoulos and Ava Morris, along with Ashley Garcia, Sonia Haily, Kathy Nguyen, Danni Hope Randall and Bianca Rincon — gave the Patriots balance and leadership across every position.

Mendieta, who set a program record with more than 50 career goals, anchored the offense with her drive and intensity.

“As soon as she gets that ball, she wants it in the net,” Correia said. “She will do whatever it takes.”

Stamatopoulos joined Mendieta as one of the team’s top scorers, while Morris provided stability on defense.

“Ava ran the D,” Correia said. “She talked constantly, let everyone know who was open — she was our leader back there.”

Senior goalie Sonia Haily also played a key role in Revere’s success, posting several strong performances and making critical saves in tight games.

“She had an unbelievable turnaround this year,” Correia said. “If the ball got through, Sonia was always there.”

The Patriots set the tone for their season with an early win over Everett, a team that has historically been a tough matchup for Revere. The two teams met again late in the season and tied 2-2, securing Revere’s outright league title.

“It was our game to be champions,” Correia said. “That was the best game from every single one of the girls that I’ve seen.”

Correia, a 2018 Revere graduate and former varsity player, said the journey back to the postseason carried special meaning.

“When I played, we never made the tournament,” she said. “To help these girls do it now means a lot.”

The team’s best nonleague win came against Greater Lowell, a 9-1 victory that Correia called a statement performance.

“We didn’t know much about them going in,” she said. “We came out hot, and everything clicked.”

The roster features a strong mix of veterans and underclassmen: juniors Victoria Ackles, Leilaney Chicas, Kyle Lanes, Nicole Miranda and Genevieve Zierten; sophomores Lena Morris and Zacharania “Zizi” Kalliavas; and freshman Siobhan Zierten. With that youth returning next fall, Correia said she expects the program to keep trending upward.

“My message to the team before Bishop Stang is simple,” she said. “Go out, have fun and do what you’ve been doing all season. You’ve earned this.”

Rupp, Hamdani close out Revere cross-country careers

The Revere girls’ cross-country team wrapped up its home schedule last week against Somerville, falling 22-37 but showing continued progress. Head coach Katie Sinnott said the meet, held on a rain-soaked Belle Isle course, showcased the team’s growth and dedication.

Senior captain Olivia Rupp and fellow senior Rania Hamdani each came within seconds of personal bests despite the wet, windy conditions.

“I have so enjoyed coaching both of them over their cross-country years,” Sinnott said. “They’re tremendous students and leaders who work hard at every practice.”

Junior Emma DeCrosta turned in another personal best home course time, while Tram Vu, Valeria Acevedo Estrada and freshman Adis Cordero Canela rounded out the scoring. Sinnott said DeCrosta’s steady improvement this season has made her a reliable scorer for the team.

“Week to week, she’s getting faster and stronger,” Sinnott said. “That’s exactly what you want to see as a coach.”

Revere was set to compete next in the Greater Boston League meet on Oct. 29, followed by invitational races on Nov. 1 and Nov. 8.