The Vineyard boys hockey team is firing on all cylinders to start the season, outsourcing opponents 23-2 in their first three games with two shutouts from goalie Henry Wansiewicz.
Purple’s offensive action started with a 10-0 thumping of the Whalers on Nantucket. The win was a welcome start to the season after their rivals got the best of them in recent years. The Vineyarders were sharp from start to finish, committing no penalties and scoring seven goals in the first period. The first goal came from freshman Ryan Heidt on his first shift of his varsity career. Heidt’s classmate, Donnie Gregory, also notched his first career goal later in the game.
Other goal scorers for the Vineyard included Nate Averill, Hunter Johnson, Peter Williamson, Adrian Alberghini, Robby Pacheco, Mason Warburton and Sol Donnelly who scored twice.
In their second game, also on the road against Dennis-Yarmouth, Averill notched his 100th career point as he scored four goals and MV defeated the Dolphins 8-2. The Vineyarders scored another six goals in the first period with excellent offensive spacing on full display leading to goals from Pacheco, Gregory and two more from Donnelly.
On Saturday, finally in front of a home crowd, the boys struck early again against Monomoy as Gregory put the puck in the back of the net just 49 seconds into the contest. Freshman Jason Alton then scored his first career goal later in the period and the Vineyarders went on to handle the Sharks 5-0.
Heidt tipped the third goal in off a shot from Warburton, Averill scored the fourth, shorthanded with a sportscenter top 10 move, and Will Baliunas sniped the fifth and final goal of the afternoon for the victorious Vineyarders. Wansiewicz tallied 11 saves in the win.
Their next home game comes on Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. against Barnstable.
The girls hockey team also won their home opener against Latin Academy 7-0 to start the season. They got the scoring going on the powerplay as eighth grader Jocie Smith blasted one home from the point. Elle Mone scored the second, and five more goals followed with three scored by Annabelle Metell and two more by Abby Geary and Mackenna Metell. Alyssa Viera secured the shutout in net.
In their second game the girls took on King Philip in Wrentham and couldn’t find the equalizer as they fell 2-1. However, freshman Hannah Wansiewicz scored her first varsity goal for the Vineyarders. The girls have two away games after the break before they’re back home Jan. 8 to take on Nauset at 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, back at the high school gymnasium, the girls basketball team has also began the season 3-0, starting with a close, hard-fought 22-20 win over Falmouth Academy in their home opener. Senior Piper Blau led the way for the Vineyarders both offensively and defensively with eight points, six steals and four blocks. However, it was her backcourt mate freshman Carlotta Roberts who sealed the deal for the Vineyarders scoring the final five points of the game with a breakaway layup and a three pointer.
For their second game, the girls traveled to Nauset to take on the Warriors and handled the competition 39-30. Blau again led the team in scoring with 12 while Roberts added eight. Blau and
Agata Rodrigues each went four for four at the free throw line in the fourth quarter, pushing purple to victory.
And most recently, back at home, the girls really got into their offensive groove with a 46-30 win over Sturgis West. Blau scored 17 along with eight steals and seven rebounds. Madis Pitman scored 12 with five steals and six rebounds and Rodiguez nearly had a double double with nine points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
For new head coach Mary Korba, the first three games have been an excellent start to the season.
“I’m proud of how this team has come together and embraced what we’re trying to build here. It’s been a great start to the season, but there’s still a lot of work ahead, and our focus is on getting better every day,” Coach Korba said.
Coach Korba credits her assistant coaches Bob Thistle and Cole Maciel-Wingate with bringing new challenges for everyone to practice. She said that has been a big part of their early-season success.
“They’re not only talented but also deeply committed to helping these players grow,” she said of her assistant coaches. “Our goal is to rebuild this program into something truly special, starting with a commitment to hard work and a positive team culture. The players have responded incredibly well, and it’s been exciting to see their progress.”
The boys basketball team is still looking for their first win of the season after falling to Nauset in overtime 65-61 and then to the Whalers on Nantucket 64-59.
Against the Warriors, Jacoby Light led MV in scoring with 20 points and six steals. Mike Hayes had 14, Landon Lepine had 13 and nine rebounds and Leo Napior had 11 points and five steals.
The boys’ next home game comes against Barnstable on Jan. 3 at 4:30 p.m.
The swim team started their season with some strong results and new school records in meets against Nantucket and Barnstable.
Ronan Mullin qualified for the 100 butterfly at the south sectional championships with a finishing time of 58.46 against Nantucket, and Kaua DeAssis set a new school record in the 50 freestyle with a finishing time of 23.16 against Barnstable. The new record was also good for securing a spot in the state championship.
Other highlights included Carroll Sylvia winning the 50 free with a time of 28.47 and the 100 free with a time of 1:03.94 against Nantucket, and Violet Myers winning the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:42.75, also against the Whalers.
So far the boys have won the overall points against Nantucket and Barnstable while the girls are still in pursuit of their first win. Their next home meet comes on Jan. 8 against Nauset at 3 p.m.
Finally, the wrestling team started their season with the Sandwich Early Traditional tournament on the Cape last weekend. Some of the Vineyarders’ highlights included Jordan Souza placing third at 190 pounds with four pins on the day. Kevin Almedia also placed third at 144 pounds with three pins. Odin Robinson placed fourth at 132 pounds with two pins and an 8-5 decision.
Up next, the wrestling travels to Barnstable to take on the Red Hawks and Nauset on Jan. 8.
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