Football and soccer shined brightly for the Vineyard over the weekend. On the gridiron the Vineyarders picked up their first win of the season Friday night, defeating Randolph 18-6 in an away contest. On Saturday afternoon, both girls’ and boys’ soccer earned 1-0 wins over visiting Whitinsville Christian School. Field hockey fell to visiting Needham 2-0 on Saturday.

Football’s win Friday night was “mainly due to the special teams,” head coach Donald Herman said. “They were the heroes.”

The game was scoreless until the second quarter, when senior fullback Tony Canha made a one-yard run after a steady Vineyard drive downfield to score the first touchdown of the game and put the team ahead 6-0. In the second half, senior Deshawn James ran back a punt 88-yards into the end zone to make the score 12-0. Randolph scored in the third quarter, but Vineyard senior Andrew Jacobs-Walsh clinched the game in the fourth, blocking a punt and recovering it in the end zone for the touchdown.

The Vineyard is now 1-2 and will begin league play Friday night with a home game against Bishop Feehan. Game time is at 6:30 p.m.

Boys’ soccer remains undefeated on the season after their 1-0 victory over Whitinsville on Saturday. On Thursday, the team defeated visiting Dennis-Yarmouth 2-0. 

Junior Jason Lages, described by head coach Damon Burke as a “pure scorer,” notched all three Vineyard goals this past week. Assists went to seniors Kane Araujo and Sam Entner, and junior Elie Jordi.

Coach Burke said the team’s midfield was particularly strong throughout the game. Finishing strong in the box remains an aim for the entire team; several scoring opportunities went amiss against Whitinsville on Saturday. 

In the Vineyard goal, however, senior Ben Wadleigh has notched five shutouts this season, and allowed only one goal overall. 

The girls’ team picked up its second straight win of the season Saturday to move to a 2-2 record. Senior Mariah Campbell made an unassisted goal in the 73rd minute following an offensive downfield push by freshman Whitney Schroeder to force a turnover. Freshman goalie Cana Courtney earned her first varsity shutout.

On Thursday, the girls took a come-from-behind win over Dennis-Yarmouth. Down 1-0 at the start of the second half, the Vineyarders evened the score on a solo run by Casey McAndrews, who sent the ball into the net from twenty yards out. With ten minutes remaining in the game, sophomore Molly Houghton broke through the D-Y defense and , passing to Adelaide Keene. Keene finished out the play in “textbook” fashion, head coach Richard Bennett said, to give the team its first win of the season. 

The girls host league opponent Coyle and Cassidy at home on Tuesday, and league opponent Bishop Feehan on Thursday. Game times are at 3 p.m. 

Field hockey fell to a tough Needham squad on Saturday, playing well defensively but unable to muster enough offense to overcome their opponents. Junior goalie Taylor Maciel had 15 saves, including two penalty shots. Earlier this week, the girls tied 0-0 with West Bridgewater. 

The Vineyarders take on visiting Bishop Fenwick at home on Wednesday at 3 p.m. 

Both cross country squads defeated Somerset in a home meet on Wednesday. Senior Jeremy Alley-Tarter took first in the boy's race, and junior Julia Neville placed first for the girls. The teams travel to Brockton on Wednesday. 

For more fall sports photos, see the multimedia gallery Saturday Afternoon Sports, September 21.