~ SHS Sachems Sports Roundup ~

Saugus girls’ soccer team takes win no. 4

Saugus beat Marblehead, 3-1, in a very physical match in Northeastern Conference girls soccer play. The team improved to 4-1.

In under two minutes into the game, Shay Sewell assisted Madison Botta’s first goal of the night. With just over 10 minutes left in the first half, Shawn Sewell drew and converted a penalty kick for her first goal of the night. Botta finished out the game with her second goal of the night just inside the 18 with less than five minutes left of the game.

Shay and Shawn Sewell dominated the midfield in the matchup against Marblehead. They were a force both attacking and defending. The pair made a true difference in the Saugus side, according to Brianna Alimonti, Saugus girls’ soccer assistant coach.

As always, Botta was running all out in attack and defense. She used her wit and skill to play through the midfield, in addition to her two goals. Layla Manderson and Violet Hawley shut down many counterattacks with their defense.

Saugus fell to 4-2 after a non-league, 1-0 loss to Burlington. Saugus had a lot of opportunities but just couldn’t finish. Tori Carter came up big on a save from a free kick, making sure Burlington didn’t score early. Burlington scored with less than 20 minutes left of the game.

Saugus volleyball team still looking strong at 5-2

Saugus dropped a nail-biter to Swampscott, 3-2. The Sachems fell behind early in the match but brought it all the way back to a total of five sets, losing the fifth set in a close battle.

“The girls played really, really well,” Saugus coach Mikayla Niles said. “We ended up giving up a little bit of a lead that we had both in the first and second sets. It was the best game of volleyball I’ve ever seen those girls play. They played together. They were dynamite. They were hitting the floor. They were hitting their spots and were passing beautifully. They were hitting beautifully all around together, and they had an absolute phenomenal game. Swampscott has always been a big team for us that I feel like we struggled with over the years and for the girls to play that well with them regardless of the loss it was unbelievable to see these girls turn around and play the way that they played.”

Coach Niles cited everyone on the team for playing well, particularly setter Aly Mabee, who had some highlight-reel plays.

Saugus field hockey team falls to Danvers

Danvers blanked Saugus, 5-0, in Northeastern Conference field hockey play. “I see great improvement with ball movement, switching positions to receive the ball and overall team play,” Saugus coach Barbara Guarente said. “We are starting to get the ball down in the opponent’s area more often.”

Once again senior captain Jessica Bremberg played an important role. She set the momentum for the game and communicated well with the younger players. Bella Natalucci (senior captain) took charge of the forward line and was asked to play both forward and midfield, where she excelled in each.

Grace Fiore (senior captain) took charge of the defense. “Grace is continuously communicating with her teammates and moving the ball out of our area,” Guarente said. “I am impressed with the improvement we have had since the beginning of the year. The four eighth graders starting (Teaghan Arsenault, forward, Angelina Dow, midfield/defense, Mia Shawdee, forward/midfield, and Julia Strout, forward/midfield) have shown tremendous improvement since day one. They are now confident players taking on senior players and holding their own. They move the ball around players and have no fear of competing with the upperclassmen. I see great things from them in the future.”

Saugus golf team splits last two

Saugus beat Salem, 39-33, at Olde Salem Greens thanks to outstanding play by Dom Chianca and Hunter Arsenault. The team fell to Winthrop, 52-20, and dropped to 2-6 on the season.

“There was heavy rain and a tough going,” Saugus coach John Sievens said. “Our young kids carried us on points. Captain Ryan Jones played beautifully.”