THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 11, 2024 Page 9 By Dom Nicastro SAUGUS GIRLS SOCCER TEAM EARNS HISTORIC 2-2 TIE AGAINST DANVERS The Saugus High School girls soccer team made history with a 2-2 tie against Danvers, a team that has long been a tough opponent. For Head Coach April Martinez, the result is particularly signifi cant, as she can’t recall the last time Saugus managed to avoid a loss to Danvers. The Sachems improved to 9-1-2 with the draw, same record as Danvers. That put the Sachems No. 7 in the Division 3 power rankings, behind Danvers (No. 5) and North Reading (No. 6). The defense played a critical role in keeping Danvers’ off ensive opportunities limited, showing its resilience and composure. Martinez credited everyone on the team for that eff ort. While the team did concede two goals, the Sachems’ defensive strength has been a theme throughout the season. “We’re not letting in a lot of goals, as you can see,” Martinez said. Against Danvers, Madison Botta and Shawn Sewell had the goals. Saugus has had some successful seasons over the past decade, but this result against Danvers just seems to cement the Sachems’ progress. Danvers is a powerhouse that has produced countless NEC titles and great postseason runs under 400-plus-win coach Jimmy Hinchion, and Saugus was right there with them all the way, even holding a solid 2-0 lead. They scored their goals in the second half after a scoreless fi rst half. If there was one thing Saugus would love to have back, it’s allowing a goal to Danvers super late in the second half. “It was an awesome game. The girls really wanted it,” Martinez said. “I told the girls you know you can play any team in the state. I said to them after the game I praised them for playing 110%. They played the best game of the season. They should be proud of themselves for not losing even though they gave up a 2-0 lead. Danvers was ranked No. 2 in the state. You played one of the top teams in the division, and you know you could have won.” However, the historic tie against Danvers has provided a morale boost for the Sachems, and Martinez believes her team can carry this momentum forward. With a solid defense and a focus on team unity, Saugus is positioning itself for a strong fi nish to the season. The upcoming matches will determine where they stand in both their division and in the overall power rankings heading into the playoff s. While Martinez is confident in her team’s abilities, she knows that every game from here on out will be crucial. “We’ll have to wait for the rest of our games to be played out to see where our power ranking ends up,” she said. As the season progresses, the Sachems will need to maintain their level of play to reach their goals. Saugus beat Gloucester, 7-1, the game before Danvers. Botta had a hat trick and two assists. Shawn Sewell had a goal and two assists, and sister Shay Sewell added a hat trick. Halloween at Town Hall Saugus will offi cially welcome its children for a Trick-or-Treat event on Oct. 31 T own Manager Scott C. Crabtree announced this week that he plans on opening Town Hall to Saugus children for 90 minutes on Halloween afternoon for a special Trick-or-Treat event. Children and their parents or guardians are invited to stop by Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 2:30-4 p.m. They will be greeted by Town Hall employees, who will hand out candy and assorted treats to the young visitors. “We’d love to see Saugus families join us for this fun – and free – Halloween celebration,” the town manager said in a press release issued by his offi ce. Saugus Town Hall is located at 298 Central St. in Saugus. Open 9-6 Tues.-Fri. / 9-5 Sat. / Closed Sun. & Mon. 1865 Revere Beach Pkwy, Everett (617) 389-7000 sales@parkwaycycle.com Parkwaycycle.com ~ SHS Sachems Fall Sports roundup ~ Saugus is playing a “Kicking it for Cancer Game” on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. at Saugus High School against Martinez’s former team, Bishop Fenwick. The team is partnering with Fenwick to raise money for Breast Cancer awareness. SENIOR NIGHTS SCHEDULE Speaking of events surrounding fall Saugus teams, here are the dates for Saugus Senior Nights this fall: · Boys Soccer: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 5 p.m. · Football/Cheer: Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. · Volleyball: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m. · Field Hockey: Thursday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. · Girls Soccer: Saturday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m. All ceremonies will start roughly 30 minutes prior to game time. SAUGUS GOLF TEAM PICKS UP FIRST WIN The Sachem golf team collected its fi rst win as a team against Salem last week. Senior captain Hunter Arsenault led the way, grinding out a 5-4 win in the No. 1 spot, followed by a stellar performance by both John Morello and Artie O’Leary winning their matches, 6-3. The team rallied behind its top three, and everyone did their job to help secure a win for the Sachems. The fi nal score was 37.5-34.5. The Sachems look to carry over this moment SPORTS ROUNDUP | SEE PAGE 10
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