THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTOBEr 10, 2025 Page 11 ~ Saugus Fall Sports roundup: Golf snaps slump, boys’ soccer shines, girls’ soccer building momentum ~ By Dom Nicastro a challenging start. T he Saugus High School fall sports teams continue to grind through the middle stretch of the fall season, with key wins, competitive performances and promising growth stories across several programs. BOYS SOCCER: STATEMENT WIN OVER GLOUCESTER Saugus boys soccer put together one of its best performances of the season, earning a 3-0 shutout victory over Gloucester. Senior captain Otávio Lima scored once, and senior Christian Dean found the net twice. Assists came from sophomore Luan Faria, sophomore Christian D’Errico and senior Carlos Miranda. The win lifted the Sachems to 2-7-1 heading into the final eight games of the season. Head Coach Joshua Crespo said it was a well-rounded team effort that showcased progress after NINE CANDIDATES | FROM PAGE 2 nancial obligations with the new Voke school bill coming due and the planned West side fire station. Having an experienced financial executive on the board to explore all options to lessen the impact on our residents is an asset for Saugus. Anthony Cogliano, incumbent Saugus selectman: Nobody loves this town more than I do — and I think it shows. I was first elected to the Select Board in 1991 and proudly served for ten years. I was here when the 1990s brought growth and opportunity, and when the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s and forced us to make tough decisions. After that, I stepped away to focus on what matters most — my family. My wife, Therese, and I raised our four wonderful children, Cassandra, Gabriela, Sophia, and Anthony Jr. Today, our granddaughters, Luciana and Leila Cross, are sixth-generation SaugoGOLF: PEABODY VICTORY HIGHLIGHTS BOUNCEBACK WEEK After a tough 9.5–62.5 loss to Masconomet, Saugus rebounded the very next day with a 38–34 conference win over Peabody. Captain Artie O’Leary led the way with a 7–2 win in the No. 2 spot, followed by Trey Riley’s 5.5– 3.5 win in the No. 3 slot. Eighth grader Devin Voong notched his second career victory, 5.5–3.5, while freshman Grant Leonard collected his first, 6–3. “Great showing from captain Artie O’Leary leading the way followed by the consistent Trey Riley posting huge wins for the team,” Saugus coach Daniel Bertrand said. “Very proud of them and the team bouncing back after getting beaten up by Masco.” Saugus fell 22–50 to Lynn English on Oct. 1, but Bertrand said the team continues to trend upward as younger nians. That legacy keeps me grounded and reminds me why this work matters. When I returned to the Select Board in 2019, it was because Saugus needed steady leadership. I was here when COVID struck and our community faced a once-in-a-generation challenge. I’ve stayed through the recovery — navigating rising costs, inflation, and fiscal uncertainty — always keeping our seniors, our veterans, our working families, and children in mind. Now, as I enter my final years of service, I do so with immense gratitude and pride. Having led through both prosperity and hardship, I know what it takes to keep our town moving forward. My years in both public service and the private sector have taught me how to ask the right questions, set clear priorities, and make practical decisions that respect every taxpayer dollar. Serving Saugus has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I’ve given my time, my energy, and my heart because I believe in this town — its people, its promise, players gain experience. The Sachems sit at 3–12 with upcoming matches against Peabody, Swampscott and Salem. GIRLS’ SOCCER: STRONG SHOWING DESPITE 4–2 LOSS TO DANVERS Saugus fell 4–2 to Danvers, but Head Coach April Martinez said it was her team’s best game of the season so far. Danvers scored two early goals, including a penalty kick, but Saugus had control from there on out. “We outplayed them, and we should have won,” Martinez said. “We’ve been working all year on being patient with the ball, moving it around, communicating. I really am proud of the girls the way they played.” Shawn Sewell and her sister Shalyn Sewell each scored a goal and added an assist. Martinez praised their control of the tempo and scoring creativity, calling Shawn’s effort her “best game and its future. As I close this chapter, I remain committed, as always, to one thing above all: Saugus. Jennifer D’Eon, a former Saugus selectman: I offer a strong blend of professional expertise, civic involvement, and personal commitment to the Saugus community—qualities that make me a dedicated candidate for the Board of Selectmen. My work experience includes over two decades in healthcare as a patient access representative. My current role is at the Department of Transportation Security and Emergency Management Department. I have cultivated essential skills in communication, empathy, and public service. As a working mother, I understand the everyday concerns facing families and believe deeply in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. I have experience on several Town Boards and committees. I currently serve on the Saugus Board of Assessors. My past experiences include being a former memso far this season.” Maria Garcia anchored the back line with composure, while her younger sister, freshman Selena Garcia, continued to excel after being moved from the wing to defense to add speed. Junior defender Amanda Resendes and senior captain Natalie Justice also drew praise for their patience and poise in transition. Martinez credited her young roster — lots of eighth graders, freshmen and sophomores — for continuing to mature after losing nine seniors and seven starters from last year’s team. “They just need to have that confidence that they can compete,” she said. “They’re not as intimidated as they were in the beginning, and you can see the difference.” The Sachems are 4–6 heading into a conference matchup against Salem on Wednesday, followed by a nonconference rematch with Beverly. Martinez said both games are opportunities to prove the team’s growth and stay in position for a postseason berth. ber of The Board of Selectmen, The High School Building Committee, Economic Development Committee, Aggregate Closure Committee, and Parks and Playgrounds Committee. This experience reflects my commitment to enhancing Saugus’s infrastructure, educational resources, and recreational spaces. I’ve also contributed to SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment) and the Saugus 200th Anniversary Committee, underscoring my dedication to environmental stewardship and preserving our town’s rich heritage. As a longtime Cliftondale resident, I have a personal stake in the town’s future. My priorities include strategic planning for public safety, infrastructure improvements, and community development. I also advocate for attracting new businesses through thoughtful rezoning to strengthen our local economy and expand revenue opportunities. Frank Federico, a Precinct 7 Town Meet ing member: As a Saugus resident and small business owner, I understand both the challenges and opportunities our town faces. I started FVF Renovations when I was 25, and 11 years later, I’m proud that it’s still going strong. Running my own contracting business has taught me how to plan carefully, work within a budget, and deliver results people can count on, all while adapting to the unexpected. Those same skills are what good town leadership requires. Over the past two years as a Town Meeting Member, I’ve seen how local government works and how its decisions shape everyday life in Saugus. Serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals has shown me how complicated town processes can be for residents and small business owners alike. I’m out in the community every day, on job sites, at youth sports, in local shops, and around town, and I hear a consistent message: people want a town government that’s reNINE CANDIDATES | SEE PAGE 15
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