Scarlet Knights aid stricken town
CORNER KICKS
North Andover coach Kyle Wood doesn’t measure success solely in wins. It can be calculated from a variety of factors, among them the tremendous impact the Scarlet Knights have off the field.
While the team raced to another win last Saturday, defeating Woburn 4-0, the Scarlet Knights’ greater triumph was helping raise more than $3,000 in gift cards for town residents affected by the gas explosions earlier this month.
“That game was just a great community builder,” Wood said. “It was great to see so many fans at the game. It was such an amazing event to see how the community could come together and support one another in different ways. It was a night all of us will remember for a long time.”
Shortly after the horrific events of Sept.13, which forced many to evacuate their homes, several players on the team included, assistant coach Scott D’Entremont spearheaded the effort to turn the Scarlet Knights’ nonleague game into a charitable cause.
Already hosting the North Andover Soccer Association’s youth teams that night, D’Entremont and the organization quickly asked for attendees to donate gift cards in lieu of admission. The response was overwhelming.
“We were able to turn this around real quick and get something meaningful done,” said D’Entremont, who estimated hundreds showed their support. “The community was great.”
Besides fundraising, the game provided a chance for the community and the players to escape from life’s realities.
“I still can’t believe the community that we have here,” said senior captain Nate D’Entremont. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s hard to believe the roar of the crowd. I’ve never actually heard or played in front of anything like that. It was surreal.”
A sense of normalcy finally returned for the Scarlet Knights (7-1) this week, and they stuck to their winning ways with a pair of 2-0 Merrimack Valley Conference victories over Central Catholic and Andover. Seniors Ben Ramos and Matt Feng have led the way for a team outscoring its opposition by a 22-1 margin.
The bond they have created with their tight-knit community will continue to carry them.
“North Andover is a special town that pulled together when needed to,” Wood said. “I’m hoping that we can use this an as example for the rest of our season.”
Full throttle Mustangs
Medway’s grind through an up-and-down 2017 campaign that produced 11 wins hardened the perennial Tri-Valley League boys power. The Mustangs, off to a 7-01 start, look better off for having gone through that inconsistency.
“Returners coming back from last year’s team have certainly helped with experience and that mental toughness I talk quite a bit about,” said coach Neill Brandon. “You really can’t develop that mental toughness until you go through some pain and deal with some adversity, and a bunch of these returning players have certainly felt that.”
Medway’s one-dimensional offense of a year ago has transformed into a multifaceted attack. Defenses can’t key in on one player. Junior striker Matt Kaplan has benefited the most, netting seven goals.
Junior goalie Kyle Regan and senior defender Pat Longval anchor a stout defense, holding opponents to a mere three goals through eight games.
The Mustangs cleared early hurdles with wins over Norton and Westwood. Even after a scoreless draw on Thursday against DoverSherborn, its biggest TVL threat, the Mustangs want more.
“You can’t really teach or coach experience, and these boys know a fast start doesn’t really mean anything,” Brandon said. “You got to keep it going.”
National honors
Wilmington girls soccer coach Sue Hendee received a national award from the United Soccer Coaches on Monday.
Hendee was among 31 recipients of the High School Coach of Significance Award, which recognizes coaches that exceed their duties by imparting important life lessons and helping develop players in various ways.
“I was shocked,” said Hendee, in her 31st year at the helm of the Wildcats. “I’m very humbled by it. It’s quite an honor. I’m really speechless.”
Hendee’s team is also doing well on the field. After an 0-2 start, Wilmington rattled off a six-game unbeaten streak to move to 4-2-2.