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By Dom Nicastro
Saugus High’s football team showed a spark in the passing game despite falling to Hamilton-Wenham, while the girls soccer team responded to a pair of losses by earning a 3-3 tie against Winthrop and the volleyball team continued to battle through a difficult opening stretch.
Football falls to Hamilton-Wenham, prepares for home opener
Saugus remains in search of its first victory under new Head Coach Greg Bluestein after a 35-6 loss to Hamilton-Wenham. The Sachems’ lone touchdown came through the air, with quarterback Eli Fialho connecting with senior captain Paxton Ferraro for a 44-yard score.
Ferraro finished with four catches for more than 100 yards, giving Fialho a productive target as the Saugus passing game continues to develop. “He does everything he can to help the team all the time,” Bluestein said of Ferraro. “He did a great job. Eli loves throwing to him.”
Fialho also connected with Dicky Nuzzo III on another strong completion and targeted Ryan Moreira multiple times.
“It’s been nice having a couple weapons on the field,” Bluestein said.
Saugus fell to 0-2 after opening the season with a 28-0 loss to Cambridge. Bluestein said the Sachems have remained strong mentally, but he wants to see the team become more physical. He felt Saugus relied on too many arm tackles against Hamilton-Wenham and said he has shifted more practice time toward the fundamentals of tackling and blocking.
“In high school football, there’s just so many kids that are new to the sport or just coming into varsity football, whether they’re a freshman or upperclassman, and you really have to spend time on the technique of tackling and blocking, which is what the game is all about,” Bluestein said. The first-year head coach also took responsibility for perhaps trying to install too much schematically early rather than spending enough time on those fundamentals.
Saugus now returns home looking for a breakthrough. Bluestein said the Sachems are healthy, outside of the usual bumps and bruises, and are excited to play in front of their home crowd for the first time this season. They host Lynn Tech Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. The Saugus youth football program will be represented at the game, and the school band will also be part of the festivities.
“I’m excited to get back in front of our home crowd,” Bluestein said. “Really try to build up the game day experience for everybody and really hope to put on a good performance for our town.”
Bluestein said Saugus beat this week’s opponent last season and described the matchup as a “really healthy rivalry” between programs that have developed considerable mutual respect.
Girls soccer shows progress, rallies for Winthrop tie
Saugus girls soccer went through a difficult stretch against Peabody and Swampscott before breaking through offensively in a 3-3 tie against Winthrop.
The Sachems fell to Peabody, 7-0, but coach April Martinez used the loss as an opportunity to focus on building possession from the back. Saugus worked on short passes from the goalkeeper, patience with the ball and supporting teammates away from it, and Martinez saw immediate improvement against Swampscott. The Sachems lost, 3-0, but trailed just 1-0 at halftime.
“We were patient, we moved the ball well,” Martinez said. “We were first to the ball and played aggressively. I am very proud of the improvements made in one practice.” Martinez said Saugus was able to build possession toward midfield but continued to struggle in the offensive third.
Senior wing defender Ava Chaisson turned in a standout performance against Swampscott. Martinez said Chaisson won balls, broke up attacks and distributed effectively to the midfield. Senior center back Amanda Rezendes also played well before an injury forced her to sit out the second half. Freshman Mikayla Le stepped in at center defense and impressed Martinez with her competitiveness.
“She is small but mighty,” Martinez said. “She battles for every ball and makes life difficult for every attacker.”
The offensive breakthrough came against Winthrop. Saugus jumped out to a 2-0 advantage on goals from senior captain Sydney Deleidi and sophomore Selena Garcia. Winthrop scored before halftime and added two more goals in the second half to move ahead, 3-2. Senior captain Maria Garcia rescued the tie for Saugus, scoring on a direct kick from outside the 18-yard box for the 3-3 final.
Saugus was scheduled to face Danvers on Wednesday and Boston Latin Academy on Thursday.
Volleyball searches for finishing touch
Saugus volleyball entered the week at 0-6, but coach Mikayla Niles said the record doesn’t accurately reflect how competitive the Sachems have been. Saugus has faced a difficult early schedule that included Masconomet along with nonconference opponents Triton, Watertown and Stoneham. Niles said the Sachems have consistently stayed competitive rather than being overwhelmed, with improved kill and ace percentages and solid passing. The missing ingredient has been finishing close sets and matches.
“We’re playing well. We’re battling. We’re competing,” Niles said. “We just need to finish everything now that we’re putting together and doing.” Niles believes some of that comes with having a young team learning how to play consistently at the varsity level.
Captain and middle Ava Foley has been one of Saugus’ most consistent performers. Niles recently elevated Arianna Chianca to captain, joining Foley and Aiyana Cruz. Chianca has contributed as a hitter, passer and server while bringing consistent energy to the floor.
“She’s kind of the hype woman on the team,” Niles said. “She’s constantly up, constantly picking the team up.”
Danielle Braga has provided versatility. With Saugus missing both of its liberos in a recent match, Braga stepped into the position and helped fill the void.
“She’s an all-around player, can play anywhere, will do anything for you,” Niles said. “She’s a great team athlete.”
Niles has also been encouraged by the development of a junior middle who has recently become a much stronger blocker at the net, including a stretch in which the coach estimated she recorded four consecutive blocks during the same rally.
Despite the record, Niles said morale hasn’t suffered. “Everyone’s competing. Everyone’s playing,” Niles said. “No one’s really down.”
Saugus was scheduled to travel to Salem as the Sachems continued searching for their first victory.
