The first few weeks of this year’s fall sports season at the regional high school have allowed the Vineyard to see how they stack up against the competition in the new league. Recently, the wins have started adding up for many of the teams.
The boys soccer team jumped out to a hot start within their division after blanking Falmouth 2-0 last Tuesday in their home opener and besting Dennis-Yarmouth last Thursday by a score of 2-1.
Against the D-Y Dolphins senior captain Morgan Estrella led the Vineyard to victory with an assist on a goal by Luidi DeOliveira. Estrella also tacked on a goal of his own, putting one in the back of the net via a pass from Lucas Goncalves, one of two sophomores on the varsity roster.
On Saturday the boys visited Brockton high school where they faced off in a bout that was originally scheduled for a week prior but was postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. Brockton escaped with a 3-1 victory despite the Vineyard’s strong possession play and chances to score. The Vineyard’s attempts to even the score were foiled by time expiring in the first half, and momentum-killing penalties by Brockton, Coach John Walsh said.
After dropping the first three games, Coach Rocco Bellebuono’s girls soccer squad righted the ship on Tuesday after with a resounding 8-2 victory against Eastern Athletic Conference rival Coyle & Cassidy.
While it was a breezy afternoon at Dan McCarthy Memorial Field, there was absolutely nothing that could cool off striker Wadeline Florine. The freshmen scored a hat trick plus one, good for half of her team’s total goals. Senior captain Madia Bellebuono also beat the Coyle & Cassidy keeper more than once, contributing two goals of her own. Junior Kaya Seiman and freshmen Ella Keene also joined in the fun with one goal each.
A few hundred yards south of the soccer field, the cross country team was also victorious Tuesday in a meet against Falmouth. After favorable results in the annual Martha’s Vineyard Cross Country Invitational over the weekend the harriers picked up right where they left off.
Coach Joe Schroeder noted after the meet how the Vineyard’s strong job running as a group and their training in preparation were big factors in bringing Tuesday’s triumph to fruition.
Adrienne and Eloise Christy led a pack of six Vineyard runners across the finish line before the first Falmouth participant followed in their trail. Adrienne posted a finishing time of 20:17. Eloise was only nine seconds behind her, finishing in 20:26.
Zach Utz posted the fastest time for the Vineyard boys finishing in 17:28. He was only two seconds behind Henry Garter of Falmouth, who had the best time among the boys on the afternoon. Utz was closely followed across the finish line by eight Vineyarders and as a result, he and his teammates came away with the win.
The field hockey team came out of the gates slower than they would have hoped to this season. But after falling in their first two contests to Nauset and Sandwich, then scrapping to a 0-0 tie with Brockton on Saturday, Coach Nutton’s girls earned their first victory of the season with a 3-0 win over Sturgis East Charter School.
Molly Menton put the Vineyard on the board with a sweep shot from the left post off an assist from Skyla Harthcock. Then the Vineyard displayed dominant defense holding the Storm to only one shot on goal following Menton’s score.
Megan Zeilinger tacked on two more goals in the second half, both assisted by Emily Gazzaniga.
Coach Nutton credited the strong defensive play of midfielder Rose Herman and defenders Chloe Hoff and Nicole DeBettencourt in the girl’s winning effort.
“We played with a lot of urgency and seem to be settling into the new formation we’ve adopted this season,” Coach Nutton said. “It felt great to see the final score reflect our efforts to hone some attacking play this week.”
Next, they’ll try to even their record against division foe Falmouth at home on Friday at 3 p.m.
Coach Don Herman’s gridders also notched their first win of the football season last Friday by a 33-6 margin when they traveled to Malden to square off against Mystic Valley Regional.
The Vineyard pummeled the Eagles with five rushing touchdowns out of their tight offensive formation. Junior tailback Antone Moreis torched Mystic Valley for over 100 yards rushing and three touchdowns behind much-improved play from the offensive line.
The Vineyard aims to start a winning streak with a home game against Southbridge High School on Friday at 6 p.m.
The golf team continued their strong start with victories against Nauset, Cardinal Spellman and Dennis Yarmouth. Vineyard golfers are now 5-1 and remain undefeated within their division. Next up is two home matches, the first on Thursday against Sandwich, then Bishop Stang comes to town on Monday.
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