FILE PHOTO
Jenna Foley scored the game winning goal for St. Mary’s with three minutes to play.
By KATIE MORRISON
Jenna Foley scored the game-winner with three minutes left to play in the first round of the Division 4 North tournament to lead the St. Mary’s girls soccer team past Essex Tech, 1-0.
Despite dealing with injuries to a couple of key players, Morgan Mackey and Kayla Demers, the Spartans played excellent defensively to shut down Essex Tech.
Emily Egan stepped up and made her first varsity start at sweeper, and played a great game, according to coach Jim Foley. Jill Gentile moved up to center mid to reinforce the midfield, and Caitlin Foley stepped in on defense. Nikki Bendicksen and Joslyn Deschenes also played great games on defense.
“The defense really saved us,” said Jim Foley, who added that despite a tough first half, the Spartans regrouped and played better in the second.
Emily Stephenson made 10 saves in the net, including one excellent stop that kept the Spartans in it.
“It helps the defense to know they have a rock solid goalie behind them,” Jim Foley said.
Then, with three minutes to go, Jenna Foley knocked home the game-winner on an assist from Codi Butt.
The Spartans will head to Malden to take on Mystic Valley Sunday at 12:30. St. Mary’s topped Mystic Valley, 4-0, a couple of weeks ago in regular season play.
Bishop Fenwick 4, Whittier 0
The No. 11 Crusaders got off to a hot start in the Division 3 North tournament, shutting out No. 6 Whittier on the road.
Emily Charette netted two goals and Mary Gerdenich and Becca Rocker each added one, and Ashley Baker played well in net for Fenwick.
The Crusaders will go back on the road to play No. 3 Hamilton-Wenham Sunday at 1 p.m.
Weston 5, Saugus 0
The No. 10 Sachems’ season ended with a loss to No. 7 Weston.
BOYS SOCCER
Lowell 2, Peabody 1
The Tanners lost in heart-breaking fashion as No. 3 Lowell scored with 25 seconds left in the game to knock No. 14 Peabody out of the tournament.
“We played so well, the kids played their hearts out,” said Peabody coach Stan McKeen. “We gave everything we had.”
Peabody took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Nick Klinger with an assist from Cam Anderson in the first half. But the Tanners lost a key player, Lucas Amaral, later in the half due to an injury. Lowell scored in the first half to tie the score.
Tanners goalie Jake Zeuli made 10 saves, and Anderson and Mark Cuoto also played well in the loss.
St. John’s Prep 3, Medford 0
The No. 6 Eagles shut down No. 11 Medford, with goals coming from Brian Brennan, Sam Smith and Aidan Dooley.
Catholic Conference Player of the Year Kevin Casey also played a great game at center back, and Mike O’Connor played well on defense, returning from an injury.
The Eagles will play at No. 3 Lowell Monday.
Revere 2, Acton-Boxborough 1
It took two overtimes, but the No. 5 Patriots came out on top at Harry Della Russo Stadium. Maan Alberhacy and Eduardo Martinez scored for Revere, which will play No. 4 Lincoln-Sudbury on the road Monday at 3:30.
VOLLEYBALL
Fenwick 3, Arlington Catholic 1
The 10th-seeded Crusaders topped No. 7 Arlington Catholic on the road, winning by scores of 25-22, 25-14, 18-25 and 25-23.
The defense led the way for Fenwick, with Julia Fusco and Camille Tache coming up with big plays. Molly Camelo had 16 kills and Sam Mancinelli had 37 assists. Steph Bona, Joie Dillon, Jennie Meagher and Mary O’Brien combined for 30 kills.
The Crusaders will play No. 2 Danvers Sunday at 2.
Katie Morrison can be reached at [email protected].