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MANCHESTER ESSEX REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS SPORTS
FROM THE HORNETS' NEST
Manchester Essex Varsity Girls Tennis Team lose to Bedford in 2nd Round of Tennis State Tournament
The Manchester Essex Varsity Girls Tennis Team couldn't have played a better or more talented team in the 2nd round of the State Tournament. On Monday afternoon, the Lady Hornets played Bedford at the Manchester Athletic Club. The anticipation for this match was tremendous as Manchester Essex had finished the regular season strong, with only one loss, as Bedford, a team the Hornets had barely beat in the State Tournament last year, had just had a big win in the first round, 5-0, to Notre Dame. In last year’s tournament, Manchester Essex came back after being down in the match, to win 3-2. The excitement permeated through the Athletic Club Monday afternoon as the matches started. The Hornets Number 1 singles, Michelle Fuca, played the same opponent from last year, who is now a senior. Although her
opponent gave a fight, Fuca gave up only a few games and was quickly victorious. Manchester Essex Captain Eliza Rohner played a great final match to end her high school tennis career; she played with confidence and mental toughness, and the fans could tell she was a very experienced, smart player. She won in the 3rd set, using all the tennis skills she has acquired over the years, especially patience. The first and second ME doubles teams were beaten fairly quickly, as Bedford's doubles were particularly strong. Rachel Daley and Molly Carlson, on first doubles, are always very motivated and their perseverance is noticeable, however the Bedford team responded successfully to everything they gave them. Second doubles was the first match to finish for the day, with ME losing in 2 sets. Bedford started slow in this match, but were mentally stronger, and became too aggressive for ME second doubles. With the team score tied 2-2, the fans and players all focused their attention to 2nd
singles. ME 2nd singles Kendall McCormick had lost the first set, and was battling for each point to split sets. The games went back and forth, with the score eventually tied at 4-4. Manchester Essex Coach Grimm and Bedford Coach Drobkova spoke with their players during each of the changeovers, as the set could have been taken by either player. Bedford eventually won the 2nd singles match, but not without a great fight from Kendall, who will continue to be a great player next year. Bedford won 3-2, however both teams and their fans left the match shocked as to how close and exciting the match was. The road to the State Championship ended for ME, this time around, but not without a great season and a lot learned by the players and coach.
Varsity Baseball
The Manchester Essex Varsity Hornets Baseball Team defeated Christo Rey, 11-3, in the first round of the Division 4 State Tournament. Max Nesbit pitched a complete game giving up 4 hits and striking out 11. Nesbit was also 2-4 with a triple, 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored. Senior Joe Burgess also had 2 hits, including a 2-run homerun and finished with 3 RBI’s. Senior Matt Corwin was 2-4 with a double and 3 RBI’s and Senior Adrian Frattini was 2-3 with two doubles. Cory Burnham, Graham Shaw, John Browning and Domenic Cirone each added a hit to round out the Hornets’ 12 hit attack. With the win, the Hornets improve to 10-10 on the season and play Northeast Regional High School on Monday. The team was scheduled to play on Tuesday, June 5th at Northeast. Game results were not available as of press time.
Varsity Girls Lacrosse
In round one of the tournament, the Manchester Essex Varsity Girls Lacrosse Team (ranked 10th) upset Newburyport (ranked 7th) with an exciting 11-10 victory. Playing at Newburyport, the Hornets took a few minutes to settle in to their surroundings allowing Newburyport the first goal of the game. The Lady Hornets tried to catch up but ended the first half with Newburyport leading 6-4. In the second half, the Hornets started to gain control of the game with their settled attack and aggressive defense. With 17 minutes to go the Hornets took a tenuous 8-7 lead. Newburyport scored the next 3 goals and with 9 minutes to go the score was 10-8. Double teaming the ball on every end of the field, the Hornets managed to gain possession. In the offensive end Brittany Smith scored 2 goals at 3 minutes and 2 minutes left
in the game. With the game tied 10-10 with 1 minute left and Newburyport with possession of the ball in front of the Hornets goal, Sophia Guerriero deflected the Newburyport shot, the Hornets gained possession with passes down the field to Taylor Meek who scored the game winning goal with 47 seconds left on the clock. Every player on the field at Newburyport played an excellent game. Maddi Bistrong, in the goal, made 10 saves. Senior captain Taylor Coons led the team in ground balls. Freshman Maya Heath marked out Newburyport’s best player keeping her to 1 goal. Olivia Lantz ran like crazy to double team the ball on defense. Carolyn Heslop scored 1 goal, had 1 assist and 4 draw controls. Brittany Smith had 2 goals and 4 draw controls. Kirsten Coale and Megan Jones each had 1 goal. Olivia Mastendino had 1 goal and an impressive 4 assists. While being marked out, Taylor Meek had 4 goals, 1 assist and 3 draw controls. This is the first time in program history that the Hornets have
made it past the first round of the tournament. In the second round the Hornets faced Ipswich (ranked 2nd). The score at half time was 4-9 Ipswich. The Lady Hornets turned on their burners and scored the first five goals of the second half to tie up the game at 9-9 with 18 minutes left. Ipswich had a time out and came back strong scoring the next four goals of the game. In the last 3 minutes, the Hornets scored 2 more goals to end the game with an 11-13 loss. Yes, the Hornets lost but it was a win for the program to make it to the second round of the tournament and give Ipswich a hard fought game.
Taylor Meek had 5 goals, and 1 assist. Brittany Smith had 3 goals, 1 assist and 2 draw controls. Olivia Mastendino, Taylor Coons and Maya Heath each had a goal. In the second half Maya Heath marked out Ipswich’s highest scorer keeping her to 1 goal in the second half. Goalie Maddi Bistrong ended the year on fire with 9 saves. Thanks to all of our parents and fans for your support this season!
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