Cohasset sports stories that had people reading in 2019 – News – Cohasset Mariner

1. Cohasset wins three sectional titles in three days

This spring, Cohasset authored probably the most profitable sports activities seasons in state historical past, making three new additions to their trophy case in three days.

All of it started with a South sectional title win in women tennis on June 12.

By Matt Cunha

ROCKLAND–An epic No. Three singles matchup between Cohasset’s Graycn Lord and Ursuline Academy’s Mimi O’Connell proved to be the distinction in Wednesday’s Division Three South women tennis last at Rockland Excessive’s courts.

After Lord took the primary set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-1), and O’Connell took the second set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (6-Three), Lord got here by means of with a 6-1 win to offer the Skippers the crown, Three-2.

“I feel three hours in, loads of it got here all the way down to the health part,” mentioned Cohasset coach Gigi Meehan. “Gracyn is on the prime of her health stage proper now, and she or he was in a position to make use of that to get an early lead.”

Final yr, Ursuline beat Cohasset, Four-1, within the South last as a No. 7 seed. This time the Bears had been driving excessive as an unbeaten No. 1 seed that had made straightforward work of their competitors, profitable two 5-Zero choices to succeed in the ultimate. In distinction, Cohasset needed to work laborious, profitable the quarters and semis by Three-2 scores, over Wareham and Sandwich.

Cohasset’s Diana Sturdy fell 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles to Alessia Cahoon, however Cohasset’s No. 2 doubles crew of Olivia Budington and Josie McDougald evened the rating with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Eleanor O’Connell and Isabella Lambros.

Callie Smith put Ursuline again on prime with a 6-Three, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles, however once more Cohasset knotted it up. This time, the No. 1 doubles pair of Regan Thomas and Sophie Swartwood misplaced their first set to the sister duo of Calista and Lillian Adler, 6-Four, however rallied for 7-5 and 6-Four wins. The Cohasset duo trailed 5-2 within the second set earlier than righting the ship.

“This crew was not going to go away,” Meehan mentioned of Ursuline (16-1). “We performed them final yr, so we knew what we had been up in opposition to. We knew how powerful they had been going to be.”

In the long run, Lord got here by means of for the Skippers.

“We went into the season with that objective” of profitable the South, Meehan mentioned. “As soon as I noticed what my crew appeared like and what the make-up of it was, all alongside we had our eyes on that prize. We had been the bridesmaids (final season); we wished to be the bride (this time). I feel we had been in a position to make use of that as an incentive.”

 

On June 13, the boys lacrosse crew added one other sectional title with a win over Norwell.

By Chris McDaniel

It was all fingers on deck for the Cohasset Excessive boys lacrosse crew within the Division Three South Sectional last.

The Skippers had been with out senior captains Mason Fitzgerald, an All-American goaltender, and midfielder Chris Longo. Each, the one two four-year varsity gamers on the crew, had been injured in earlier event video games.

To defeat Norwell, 13-11, and declare its second consecutive sectional title, the Skippers wanted everybody to chip in.

Sophomore Devin McGinty, who obtained the beginning in Longo’s absence, tallied the profitable objective when he scored whereas taking a giant test to place the Skippers forward 12-9 with Eight:45 remaining.

Cohasset (No. Three seed, 14-7) even wanted a short visitor look at goaltender from junior defenseman Jack Greene.

Within the fourth quarter, freshman goaltender Anthony Kulterides was sidelined after being penalized. Greene stepped up in objective and made a pair of saves, together with one whereas Cohasset was down two males, to maintain the Skippers forward 13-9 halfway by means of the body.

“You’re feeling as a father and as a coach for (Longo and Fitzgerald) realizing for them that this was their final run with us however the truth that the youngsters are taking part in for them and understand how a lot it means to them,” mentioned Cohasset coach James Beaudoin.“Their management within the offseason made it so we are able to deal with out them.”

Beaudoin didn’t go as far to rule his injured senior captains executed for the season, however mentioned their collegiate lacrosse careers (Fitzgerald is headed to Windfall whereas Longo will play at Trinity) would weigh closely on any choice.

 “We had been rallying round (Fitzgerald and Longo) as a result of they at all times convey the power to follow even after they can’t play,” mentioned Cohasset junior Grey Thomas, who completed with three targets and two assists. “They love the sport, they need to be on the market however we introduced it for them and we need to preserve taking part in for them.”

Popping out of halftime, Norwell’s Albie DiBella netted his fifth objective of the day to place the Clippers forward 9-5 with 11:36 left within the third quarter. Cohasset’s Grey Thomas answered with a objective 18 seconds later when he rang a shot off the crossbar and in to spark a 6-Zero run to take an 11-9 lead after three. That run continued into the fourth quarter with targets from McGinty and Tucker Fulton placing Cohasset forward 13-9.

“You realize you’re going to have accidents,” mentioned Beaudoin. “You realize guys are going to get gassed. It’s important to have individuals who can step up and make large performs like Dan Nolan taking faceoffs for us when Tucker (Fulton) was a bit of gassed.”

Thomas’s first objective of the second half sparked a three-goal run in 91 seconds. He scored the second objective of the run and Colin Mcfetridge adopted by ending a one-timer from Patrick Dionisio. Mcfetridge scored his second in a row off a feed from Fulton for the equalizer with Eight:04 left within the third quarter.

Dionisio scored off a reset to place Cohasset forward 10-9. Minutes later, the Skippers killed off a two-man drawback and shortly thereafter Cohasset drew its personal penalty. On the man-up, Dionisio fed Sullivan to place Cohasset up two (11-9) with 2:56 left within the third quarter.

Norwell’s Brian Garrity (three targets) ended an almost 21-minute scoring drought with a tally to chop the deficit to 13-10 with 2:50 remaining. Eddie Fettuccia’s second objective of the day trimmed the result in 13-11 with 33 seconds remaining, nevertheless it was too little, too late.

“I feel we thought we had it,” mentioned Norwell coach Josh Stolp of the Clippers second-half woes. “We obtained a bit of sloppy. We stopped doing the issues that had been so profitable within the first half. They strung collectively a pair targets and as soon as they obtained momentum going I feel our guys type of obtained down on themselves a bit of bit.”

Norwell (No. 1 seed, 19-2) gave the impression to head into the half with an Eight-Four lead following a Four-Zero run, however Cohasset’s Dionisio (three targets, two assists) scored with .5 seconds left within the half to chop the deficit to Eight-5 heading into locker room.

Thomas tied the sport at Four-Four when he ripped dwelling a objective whereas being checked and falling to the bottom. Norwell responded with 4 consecutive targets.

DiBella netted his third tally of the half to place the Clippers forward 5-Four with 6:27 left within the half. He buried a shot proper as a Cohasset penalty expired.

Fettuccia fed Garrity to make it 6-Four and DiBella adopted along with his fourth objective of the half. Nick Perfetuo completed a feed from Cal Smith to make it Eight-Four.

Dionisio’s first tally of the day put Cohasset forward 1-Zero, however Norwell’s Garrity gained the following faceoff and scored 12 seconds later to tie the sport. Jake Sullivan (three targets) and DiBella traded a pair of tallies.

Sullivan buried a feed from Thomas to offer the Skippers a Three-2 lead however DiBella made it Three-Three when he intercepted a move headed towards’s Cohasset’s goaltender after which his backhand shot barely trickled over the objective line. Fettuccia ripped dwelling a turnaround to place Norwell forward Four-Three.

Norwell will graduate six seniors. That class led the Clippers to consecutive sectional last appearances, each losses to Cohasset.

“These guys did a hell of a job all yr lengthy,” mentioned Stolp. “They got here out with a chip on their shoulder. They wished to be the crew to beat and so they obtained to that time however sadly on the finish, these guys did a terrific job.”

Lastly, the most effective was saved for final with eventual state champion women lacrosse crew taking down Hanover to win the South last on June 14. Beneath is the edited story of their later state championship win over Manchester-Essex.

By Matt Cunha

WELLESLEY — The winner of the annual Cohasset-Norwell women lacrosse playoff battle within the South Sectional had gone on to win the state title every of the earlier 4 years.

Make it 5.

The Skippers, who edged Norwell by a single objective within the South semifinals, by no means slowed down, beating their subsequent three playoff opponents by a mixed 33 targets.

The final cease was Friday as Cohasset mauled Manchester Essex, 14-Three, within the Division 2 state last at Babson School. It’s the Skippers’ second state crown in three years.

“Numerous strain after that (Norwell) sport was off them,” Cohasset coach Kully Reardon mentioned, reflecting again on the 14-13 conquest of the Clippers, the defending state champs. “That was such a pressure-filled sport; it felt like a state championship. They had been in a position to loosen up (after that) however nonetheless preserve their stage of composure and top-notch lacrosse.”

Cohasset gained the 2017 state crown, beating Walpole within the last. The Skippers completed 17-Three final yr, falling to Norwell within the South last.

“We had a terrific season final yr, however to not (win state titles) again to again, you’re feeling like a failure,” Reardon mentioned. “We labored actually laborious to get again to a very good household feeling and it is a whole crew win. We had a really balanced assault, a terrific protection, a terrific goalie, and it seems like what we labored so laborious for since 2017 has lastly come to fruition.”

Cohasset (20-6) raced out to a 7-Zero lead within the first 10:42 of the state last and used a stingy protection to stymie the Hornets (17-6).

All-American Jane Hansen (six targets, one help) set the tone simply 34 seconds in, and Cohasset didn’t look again. After dropping the faceoff, Hansen obtained the ball and drove proper in for the opening rating.

Hansen poured in 25 targets within the Skippers’ final three video games. She wins her second title earlier than she leaves for Northwestern to hitch forces together with her sister, former All-American Elle Hansen. The 2 starred on Cohasset’s 2017 state champs.

“It simply feels unbelievable,” Hansen mentioned. “Clearly, the final one was actually particular as a result of I had (Elle) and loads of different women. However this one — we labored so laborious for it and simply the entire crew mentality wished it so badly. It’s simply probably the most unbelievable feeling to drag by means of on the finish. This one is tremendous particular.”

The mark that Jane and Elle Hansen have left on the Cohasset program is plain.

“It’s unhappy to see Elle and Jane depart this system, however what they’ve introduced is a stage of lacrosse we have now by no means seen at Cohasset,” mentioned Reardon. “It’s not simply the Jane and Elle Hansen Present anymore. They’ve elevated all people’s sport.”

After Jane Hansen’s opening assertion, freshman Molly Stephens (hat trick) scored two targets 13 seconds aside to make it Three-Zero. Stephens added one other 4 minutes later because the Skippers took agency management early.

Hansen, Elise Wimberly (objective) and Madie Donovan (two targets, one help) prolonged the result in 7-Zero earlier than the Hornets lastly obtained on the board, courtesy of Cecilia Mastendino, 15:22 into the sport.

The sport tightened up after that (7:19 of scoreless play), however the Skippers protection, paired with a few large saves from goalie Lindsey Ferreira, didn’t enable the Hornets again into the sport.

Reardon had mentioned that the 17-Eight win over Foxboro within the state semifinals was Cohasset’s finest defensive sport of the season. This one gave that one a run for its cash.

“The (protection) introduced what they did in opposition to Foxboro to this sport,” Reardon mentioned. “That’s most likely the most effective sport Lindsey Ferreira had all season within the nets, and I feel the protection simply thrived on it. It’s fairly near Foxboro.”

Molly Greer (two targets, two assists), Donovan and Hansen added targets in a 1:43 span to take a 10-1 lead into halftime.

Hansen put an exclamation level on the sport with behind-the-head shot early within the second half that beat Hornets goalie Isaella Pomeroy for an 11-1 cushion.

“Each time that occurs you now it’s sport over as a result of Jane Hansen’s BTB (Behind the Again) is unreal,” senior captain Annie Toomey, a defensive stalwart, mentioned. “She is an unreal participant.”

Brigid Edgerton and Lily Athanas additionally scored for the Hornets, who had gained three straight one-goal video games to get to the ultimate however had been by no means actually in competition on this evening.

Cohasset was simply too good.

“This yr the camaraderie and the keenness and the eagerness to play has simply been in a position to surpass something that I’ve ever been part of,” Toomey mentioned. “Wanting again, this has been probably the most unbelievable experiences in highschool.”

Four. Osborne’s urgency pushing Cohasset towards first title

By Quinn Kelly

HOLBROOK — For the fourth consecutive yr, Kyle Osborne and the Cohasset Excessive boys soccer crew discover themselves within the state semifinals.

After defeating Atlantis Constitution within the Division Four South Sectional last, Four-1, on Saturday, the Skippers will meet Burke at 7 p.m. at Manning Discipline in Lynn Wednesday evening within the state semifinal.

“We all know what we have now to do, and we all know what we’re going for, we’ll die to get there,” mentioned Osborne.

Hyperbolic or not, Osborne’s urgency and fervour for the sport of soccer are palpable every time he speaks.

Of their earlier three makes an attempt at profitable this system’s first state title, the Skippers have come up quick. After falling within the state title sport in 2016, the crew has did not make it previous the semifinals within the final two years.

This yr’s crew has a special really feel, although, and it’s thanks largely to Osborne’s management.

The senior captain is in his fourth yr on varsity. He’s the one participant on the crew who was part of all 4 sectional title runs. Now among the many eldest on the crew, Osborne has made the transition right into a management function seamlessly.

“He’s grown up fairly a bit this yr,” mentioned Cohasset coach Jim Willis. “He’s taken a step ahead within the maturity division. He’s at all times cherished being one of many guys, however he’s actually taken it critically and stepped as much as be a pacesetter this yr.”

Willis says that the senior hasn’t misplaced that potential to be one of many guys, and it’s led to one of many tightest-knit teams he’s had in his 13 seasons on the helm for the Skippers.

In an interview after Saturday’s sectional last victory, Cohasset’s six seniors all hit on the togetherness of the crew as a motive why this would be the Skippers first state championship crew. Willis believes, as do most of the seniors, that it begins with Osborne.

“He simply loves it a lot,” beamed Willis. “He’s obtained a ardour for the sport that simply rubs off on the crew.”

On the sphere, nevertheless, Osborne doesn’t match the everyday mannequin of current Cohasset stars.

“Up to now, we’ve had gamers who’re extra dominant on the ball,” mentioned Willis. “Kyle’s extra of a get it and push the tempo man. It’s go, go, go along with him.”

Willis admits that the Skippers have even adjusted their scheme this yr to higher match Osborne’s sport, permitting for his prowess because the tempo-setter to shine by means of, and shine by means of it has.

Through the common season, Osborne tallied 14 targets and 7 assists, main the way in which for a balanced Cohasset assault that options 5 gamers with double-digit level totals. Whereas the numbers aren’t eye-popping, Willis says that it’s as a result of he’s by no means favored particular person level scorers over spreading the wealth in his sport planning.

However, within the playoffs, the brakes got here off.

Cohasset’s run by means of the South Sectional bracket was an completely dominant one. The Skippers scored 20 targets over their 4 video games, with their smallest margin of victory two targets over Carver within the semifinals.

On the head of the offensive outburst is Osborne.

In 4 playoff video games, Osborne has posted 10 targets and a pair of assists, ending with a hat trick within the win over Atlantis Constitution.

When requested what makes Kyle Osborne particular, Willis recalled a narrative that he felt completely summed up the person that’s his senior captain.

Willis turned again to the heartbreaking loss Cohasset suffered within the 2016 state championship sport, the place the Skippers misplaced with six seconds left in time beyond regulation to Monson.

Two weeks after the sport, Willis was at the highschool preparing for the upcoming basketball season. After stepping out of the gymnasium behind the varsity, he observed a couple of boys out on the soccer discipline. As he obtained a more in-depth look, he discovered Osborne, a freshman on the time, out coaching with the senior captains.

“It was two weeks later and he was already out coaching,” mentioned Willis. “That’s what makes him totally different, his ardour for the sport motivates him, and he’s only a sponge. It’s at all times been his factor.”

No matter final result this yr, Osborne’s soccer profession is way from over. The senior nonetheless has to determine the place his dwelling will probably be for the subsequent 4 years, however Willis expects the choices to abound.

“He’s at all times been robust and highly effective on the ball, and this yr he’s developed a nostril for objective, added precision,” mentioned Willis of Osborne’s expertise. “He’s obtained the expertise. He’s definitely going to play on the subsequent stage. It’s only a matter of the place.”

5. Cohasset’s Monaco residing his dream in broadcast sales space

By Chris McDaniel

When Cohasset’s Mike Monaco realized that his desires of being knowledgeable athlete wouldn’t be attainable, he nonetheless knew he wished to discover a method to work in sports activities.

So, naturally he determined to observe in former Boston Purple Sox Basic Supervisor and present Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein’s footsteps…. and be a part of his faculty’s pupil newspaper.

“That doesn’t make any sense now in hindsight,” mentioned Monaco with amusing.

Though working on the College of Notre Dame’s pupil newspaper (The Observer) didn’t land Monaco a entrance workplace gig, it did assist construct the inspiration for his future profession as a play-by-play broadcaster.

On the finish of his freshmen yr writing for the varsity paper, a good friend recommended to Monaco that he host a sports activities discuss present on the varsity’s radio station. By his sophomore yr, he started broadcasting any and all sports activities for the Preventing Irish.

“I simply favored being round sporting occasions,” mentioned Monaco. “No matter sport it was, I favored it immediately and simply cherished the power of being at a sport.”

Throughout two summers dwelling in faculty, he broadcast Cape Cod Baseball League video games for the Wareham Gatemen.

“I feel issues began to essentially crystallize that it’s what I wished to do and (thought), ‘Hey, possibly I can forge a profession path out of it,’ once I labored for 2 summers throughout faculty within the Cape Cod Baseball League as a broadcaster for the crew in Wareham,” mentioned Monaco. “That’s once I realized, ‘Hey, that is fairly enjoyable to be round a crew and calling a sport each day.’ It doesn’t really feel like work and that’s hopefully how my jobs will probably be for the remainder of my life.”

Now, Monaco is the play-by-play broadcaster of the Pawtucket Purple Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Purple Sox. Throughout baseball’s low season, he works as a play-by-play announcer for the Huge Ten Community and in addition calls males’s and ladies’s faculty baseball video games for FOX Sports activities.

In late September 2018, Monaco referred to as a pair of Boston Purple Sox video games on NESN. When traditional play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien was unavailable attributable to commitments to name Atlantic Coast Convention faculty soccer video games, Monaco subbed on Sept. 27 and 28, 2018, when the Purple Sox host the Baltimore Orioles.

Summer season 2019 was Monaco’s third working with the Paw Sox, however his first as a full-time broadcaster.

 “So far as targets go, I really feel like I’m type of residing it,” mentioned Monaco. “I don’t imply that to sound like a cliché reply. I used to be at all times the child rising up who couldn’t decide on a favourite sport.

“To have the ability to name totally different sports activities and preserve issues recent and go journey and see this place or this crew, that’s what’s been actually enjoyable for me. To get to work with a few of the superior people who I’ve met doing this and people who have change into actually good pals, that type of is the dream job.”

Monaco, a 2011 Cohasset Excessive graduate, had a busy winter. He spent the week flying throughout the nation overlaying males’s and ladies’s faculty basketball video games for the Huge Ten Community and FOX Sports activities.

“It’s a very distinctive business,” mentioned Monaco. “I feel within the calendar yr of 2018, I technically lived at one level or one other in 4 totally different states. It’s a grind and I used to be taught, and I feel loads of different folks on this business had been taught, to by no means say no to a chance. So in faculty I broadcast all the things from soccer at a faculty that has a great soccer program to fencing. Sports activities you don’t know, effectively it’s in your finest curiosity to study them as a result of if somebody wants a broadcaster for that sport it’s useful to know the best way to broadcast it.”

In summer time 2018, Monaco traveled to the Pacific Northwest for the primary time. He went to Kirkland, Wash. to broadcast the Junior League Softball World Sequence for ESPN. The event included 5 worldwide groups.

“I felt actually grateful and fortunate to have a chance like that to see a special a part of the nation after which additionally to attach with folks from around the globe,” mentioned Monaco of the journey west.

Monaco, who performed soccer, basketball and baseball for the Skippers, mentioned his dream job is to broadcast faculty basketball video games throughout the NCAA males’s basketball event, also called March Insanity.

“I’ve spent loads of time on airplanes these previous few years, nevertheless it’s enjoyable,” mentioned Monaco. “You get to journey and see all these totally different components of the nation and also you get to satisfy some actually, actually fascinating folks as effectively who flip into some fairly good pals.”