Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 2, 2026 SHS Sachems Sports Roundup: Sachems work through adversity as fall season hits Homecoming Week By Dom Nicastro S augus High’s fall teams have been forced to do some adjusting lately, but there have been plenty of encouraging signs along the way. The football team battled through a difficult home opener and the loss of its starting quarterback, while girls soccer has continued to produce despite a depleted lineup. Field hockey responded to its own personnel challenges with a shutout victory, and the golf team has received contributions throughout its lineup while battling through a busy stretch of matches. Football loses Fialho, falls to Lynn Tech Saugus suffered a 35-8 loss to Lynn Tech in its home opener, but the bigger concern for the Sachems was the loss of quarterback Eli Fialho for the remainder of the season. Coach Greg Bluestein said Fialho endured a difficult night Friday and weekend afterward but is recovering. “He’s tough as nails and is on the mend,” Bluestein said. “Very proud of him and the leader he’s continuing to be so looking forward to having him back on the sideline this year when he’s ready.” Fialho had been leading the Saugus offense early this season, including throwing for 106 yards in the season opener. saugus-football-roster-2026 Lynn Tech established control early, but Bluestein was encouraged by the way his players reacted when the game began getting away from them. “I loved how our team reLETTERS | FROM PAGE 5 spending time together. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Town Manager, Scott Crabtree; Jeansponded,” Bluestein said. “No one panicked and we continued to work hard when things got tough.” At halftime, Bluestein challenged his players to become “a problem solver as opposed to a problem finder,” a message that became particularly relevant as Saugus adjusted offensively without Fialho. The Sachems eventually broke through late when Pablo Dejesus scored while Saugus was operating an offense it had not spent much time practicing. “I was happy for the kids to see some success as they continued to work through adversity,” Bluestein said. “We will continue to problem-solve and work to put these kids in a good position to compete. Love the opportunity to help teach these kids how to battle through adversity.” Saugus hosts Medford Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. as part of Homecoming Week. Senior Night ceremonies for football and cheer are scheduled for 5 p.m. Golf gets contributions throughout lineup Saugus golf sits at 6-7 after a busy stretch in which the Sachems picked up three victories and continued developing some depth behind the top of their rotation. Coach Dan Bertrand pointed to Trey Riley, John Morello, Jennifer Li and Nick Rinaldi as the consistent group setting the tone at the top. “The consistency the top of our rotation has had has started to rub off onto the bottom half of the rotation,” Bertrand said. nie Meredith; our Board of Selectmen; the Finance Committee; Town Meeting; and our State Representative, Donald Wong, for their efforts and support in making this project That showed in a 67-5 victory over Everett on Sept. 17. Li, Morello, Riley, Artie O’Leary, Rinaldi, Jason Cuddy, Zack Modini and Gio Natalucci all recorded individual victories. Saugus followed with a 41.530.5 win over Lynn English on Sept. 21. Morello, Rinaldi, O’Leary, Modini and Natalucci earned wins, while Cuddy halved his match. After a 62-10 loss to Masconomet, the Sachems bounced back with another convincing performance against Everett, winning 62.59.5. Morello, Li, Riley, O’Leary, Grant Leonard, John Benoit and Billy Lauziere all won their matches. For Leonard, Benoit and Lauziere, those were their first individual victories. Natalucci had picked up his first against Everett earlier in the stretch and followed it with another strong performance against Lynn English. Bertrand also credited O’Leary with helping energize some of the younger players and singled out Riley for competing well against difficult opponents at the top of opposing lineups. Saugus most recently fell to Gloucester, 42-30, on Sept. 29, with Li and Rinaldi earning individual victories. Girls soccer battles through injuries The injury theme has extended to girls soccer, but coach April Martinez has watched younger players and reserves respond. Saugus earned a dramatic 2-1 nonleague victory over Boston Latin Academy despite playing without three starters. possible. I also want to thank all of our neighbors and everyone else who played a part in bringing this project to our community. We are truly grateful. GoldSydney Deleidi scored both goals. Freshman Hannah Rogers assisted on the first, and after Boston Latin tied the game in the second half, Deleidi struck again with only about a minute remaining. Senior captain Maria Garcia assisted on the winner after Martinez moved her from defense to attacking midfield in search of more offense. Martinez also praised Ava Chaisson on defense and senior goalkeeper Lauren Mudafort in net. The Sachems then battled Gloucester to a 2-2 draw despite again missing several starters. This time it was eighth-grader Alannah Sullivan delivering the offense. Sullivan, Martinez’s player of the game, scored both goals. She knocked home a rebound for an unassisted goal and later converted off an assist from Garcia. Martinez said the Sachems controlled much of the match, moved the ball effectively and remained committed to their possession-oriented style despite the lineup changes. “What this team has accomplished under these challenging circumstances has been remarkable,” Martinez said. “They continue to grow, learn, and improve with every game.” Saugus hosts Tyngsboro Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. as part of the Homecoming festivities. Field hockey blanks Everett Saugus field hockey bounced back from a 2-0 loss to Marblehead with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Everett. Goalkeeper Jordyn Ripley Deminski made 17 saves en Hills Park is more than just a beautiful new playground, it is a place where memories are being made, generations are coming together, and our children can simply enjoy being kids. against Marblehead before earning the shutout against Everett without having to face a shot. Julia Strout powered the offense with a hat trick against Everett, while Bella Colucciello, Sydney Ferreira and Teaghan Arsenault added goals. Andrea Montenegro, Arsenault, Strout and Sofia McCarrier contributed assists. Coach Julie Champigny was especially pleased with the performance because Saugus was missing two starters and had only one substitute available. “I was missing two starters and am very proud of my team for staying composed in a new lineup and with only one sub,” Champigny said. “Every one of my girls that came into new positions did an awesome job.” Champigny credited Arsenault with helping drive the offense before Strout repeatedly found the net, and she was particularly happy to see senior Ferreira score. “She works so hard and deserves it,” Champigny said. Freshman Addie Picardi has also begun making an impact on the right wing. Champigny said the newcomer is “coming to her own” and doing good things for the Sachems. The Everett victory also came during Saugus’ teacher appreciation festivities and helped kick off a busy Homecoming Week. Field hockey and volleyball held their teacher appreciation events Sept. 28, followed by boys soccer Sept. 30. Football and cheer take center stage Thursday against Medford, with girls soccer rounding out the week Saturday night against Tyngsboro. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Our entire neighborhood is so appreciative! Debbie Kelly, Saugus
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