The Vineyard Boys Hockey team is working hard to start the season, outscoring opponents 23-2 in the first three games with goaltender Henry Wansiewicz posting two shutouts.
The Purple offense started with a 10-0 win over the Whalers on Nantucket. The win was a welcome start to the season as the rivals have been doing their best 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 Hite on the first shift of his collegiate career. Hite’s classmate Donnie Gregory also scored his first career goal late in the game.
Other scorers for the Vineyard included Nate Averill, Hunter Johnson, Peter Williamson, Adrian Albergini, Robbie Pacheco, Mason Warburton and Sol Donnelly with two goals.
Landon Lepine shows off his wings. — Tim Johnson
In the second game, also on the road against Dennis-Yarmouth, Averill scored four goals for his 100th career point and MV defeated the Dolphins 8-2. The Vineyarders took full advantage of excellent offensive spacing that led to two goals from Pacheco, Gregory, and Donnelly, scoring six more goals in the first period.
On Saturday, finally in front of their home crowd, the boys struck early again against Monomoy, with Gregory putting the puck in the back of the net just 49 seconds into the game. Freshman Jason Olton then scored his first career goal late in the period and the Vineyarders defeated the Sharks 5-0.
Hite scored his third goal off a Warburton shot, Averill scored his fourth shorthanded on SportsCenter Top 10, and Will Baliunas scored the Vineyarders’ fifth and final goal of the afternoon in the win. Wanczevic made 11 saves in the win.
The next home game will be against Barnstable on January 8th at 5 p.m.
Leo Napiol is in court. — Tim Johnson
The women’s hockey team also started the season with a 7-0 win against Latin Academy in its home opener. Eighth-grader Josie Smith hit one point from the point and scored on the power play. El Morne scored her second goal and added five more goals, Annabelle Metel three goals and Abby Geary and McKenna Metel two more. Alyssa Vieira had the net shutout.
In their second game, the girls faced King Philip in Wrentham, but were unable to score an equalizer as they lost 2-1. However, freshman Hannah Wanziewicz scored her first varsity goal for the Vineyarders. The girls team will play two games on the road after the break before returning home on Jan. 8 to face Nauset at 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, back in the high school gymnasium, the girls basketball team also started the season 3-0 with a close 22-20 victory over Falmouth Academy in its home opener. Senior Piper Blau led the Vineyarders both offensively and defensively with eight points, six steals and four blocks. But it was his 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 3-pointer.
In the second game, the girls traveled to Nauset to face the Warriors and won 39-30. Brough again led the team with 12 points, and Roberts added eight points. Brow and
Agata Rodriguez went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to propel the Purple to victory.
And just recently, the women’s team returned home with a 46-30 win over Sturgis West and really hit the ground running offensively. Blau had 17 points, eight steals and seven rebounds. Madis Pittman had 12 points with five steals and six rebounds, and Rodiguez nearly had a double-double with nine points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
The first three games were a great start to the season for new head coach Mary Korba.
“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 to do and we’re determined to get better every day. That’s the focus,” Coach Korba said.
Coach Korba credits assistant coaches Bob Thistle and Cole Maciel Wingate with bringing new challenges to everyone’s practices. She said that was a big part of her early season success.
“Not only are they talented, but they are deeply committed to helping these players develop,” she or her assistant coach said. “Our goal is to rebuild this program into something truly special, starting with a commitment to hard work and a positive team culture. Our players have responded incredibly well and we are excited to see their progress.” I’m really looking forward to seeing it.”
The boys basketball team is looking for its first win of the season after losing 65-61 in overtime to Nauset and then losing 64-59 to the Whalers on Nantucket.
Against the Warriors, Jacoby Wright led MV with 20 points and six steals. Mike Hayes had 14 points, Landon Lepine had 13 points and nine rebounds, and Leo Napiol had 11 points and five steals.
The boys next home game will be against Barnstable on January 3rd at 4:30 p.m.
The swim team started the season with strong performances against Nantucket and Barnstable, setting new school records.
Ronan Mullin qualified for the 100 butterfly with a finishing time of 58.46 seconds at the Southern Regional Championships against Nantucket, and Kaur Deasis set a new school record for the 50 freestyle with a finishing time of 23.16 seconds against Barnstable. Established. This new record was also a good result in securing a spot in the state championship.
Other highlights include Carol Sylvia winning the 50 free in 28.47 seconds and the 100 free in 1:03.94 against Nantucket, and Violet Myers winning the 100 free breaststroke in 1:42, also against the Whalers. He won with a time of 75 seconds.
So far, the boys have earned overall points against Nantucket and Barnstable, while the girls are still looking for their first win. Their next home game will be against Nauset on Jan. 8 at 3 p.m.
Finally, the wrestling team kicked off its season this past weekend at the Sandwich Early Traditional Tournament on the Cape. Highlights for the Vineyarders included Jordan Souza’s third-place finish on the day with four pins at 190 pounds. 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.
Next, wrestling will travel to Barnstable to take on the Redhawks and Nauset on January 8th.
