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Winchester takes out top-seeded Knights

Caroline Barclay felt that North Andover had one more comeback left in its season.

But on this night, it wasn't to be.

"It feels bad now but we went out with a great season," said Barclay after top seed North Andover fell to No. 4 Winchester, 11-9, in last night's Division 2 North semifinal.

Razor-Sharp Winchester topples Knights

Third-seed North Andover was upset in a defensive battle 5-4 by No. 13 Winchester in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 2 quarterfinals at Walsh Stadium.

"We were a defensive team all year and we had our offensive opportunities today, but we just didn't finish," said North Andover head coach Steve Connolly. "But the defense has carried us, and they carried us again today, we just needed to get a few more goals."

Six run sixth helps Masco over North Andover

North Andover watched a 4-3 lead become a 9-4 deficit in just a few swings in the sixth inning and fell 9-6 to Masconomet in the Division 2 North quarterfinals.

"In the tournament, you have to avoid the big inning," said North Andover coach Todd Dulin, whose Cape Ann League large quad-champs finish up at 16-6, with three of those losses to Masco.

North Andover works OT thriller to advance

NORTH ANDOVER | With 10 minutes remaining and North Andover on the verge of being upset last night, Emily Vento dismissed the notion that her team was about to take an earlier-than-expected summer vacation.

Defending champion Knights bounced in first round

Brian Martin's worst fears were realized yesterday in the first round of the Division 2 North tournament.

 Defending Eastern Mass. champion North Andover held Belmont down for six innings before the Marauders erupted for 10 unearned runs in the top of the seventh on their way to a 12-0 victory.

North Andover can't get past Tewksbury

North Andover just can't seem to solve Tewksbury. Three recent meetings have led to three agonizing defeats. The most recent, prior to yesterday, was a setback in the first round of last year's Division 2 North tourney.

Andover, Methuen smash way to title game

No one should expect a pitching duel in today's 7 p.m. championship game of the Methuen Invitational.

The way red-hot Andover and Methuen hit the ball in their semifinal victories at the Burnham Road complex yesterday, in fact, there could be a slugfest.

Livingston, Knights work OT for a piece of CAL crown

For an effort like this, the North Andover High baseball team deserved more than just a quarter of a Cape Ann League large division championship.

The Knights, now 14-4 overall and 10-3 in the CAL, will settle for just that and a berth in tomorrow's first Lawrence Invitational Tournament semifinal (4 p.m.) against Tewksbury.

Masco wins in bizarre fashion, still could finish in 4-way tie

NORTH ANDOVER | What a way to win a championship.

After giving back leads of two and four runs, respectively, the Masconomet baseball team scratched across the go-ahead run on a botched suicide squeeze to pry a share of the Cape Ann League Large title from host North Andover yesterday, 7-6.

Lunetta master of the hidden-ball trick

There was no sign, no call from the bench, not even a scouting report picked up at a recent walk-through.

North Andover High first baseman Gary Lunetta pulled off the hidden-ball trick for a key out against North Reading this week. The senior was pretty much on his own ... with a minor assist from pitcher Brian Meikle.

Knights rock Hornets ace in 7th to take CAL showdown

North Andover senior Gary Lunetta lent a scouting report on the Scarlet Knight lineup:

"Pitchers might get us the first time around, but usually the second time around we're going to hit him."

Taylor, defense key North Andover

Seventeen saves from Stephanie Taylor and a ton of defense earned North Andover an 11-7 win over Pentucket. Nicole Zahoruiko, Kelly O'Connor, Katie Boringa and Amanda Wescott were virtually impenetrable in front of Taylor to keep the Scarlet Knights unbeaten in Cape Ann League play (9-0, 12-1-1 overall).

Knights over Amesbury

The North Andover softball team has been a mystery that Amesbury cannot solve over the past two seasons.

A familiar pattern played out again yesterday as the Scarlet Knights made plays in key situations while the Indians helped North Andover with two costly errors in a 4-1 loss.

Warriors win one for their coach

Even without being at the game, Andover girls lacrosse coach John McVeigh made his presence felt yesterday afternoon against archrival North Andover.

"He was texting us on the way to the game, telling us what to look for, how he wanted us to play," said Andover tri-captain Kelly Driscoll. "He had us ready."

Rockport upsets North Andover behind Nelson's gem

Rockport (3-5) junior ace Tia Nelson didn't hurl another no-hitter but the Vikings will take the effort. Nelson held North Andover (5-2)-a Division 2 North finalist last spring-to five hits and struck out five as the Vikings beat the Knights for the first time in Rockport softball history.

Barclay, Knights edge Royals

North Andover took and early lead and held on to beat Georgetown, 14-12. Caroline Barclay and Hannah Lategan had three goals each for the Knights, while Shannon Hartford netted five for Georgetown.

North Andover beat Newburyport in first meet since tragedy

Yesterday, for perhaps the first time in his coaching career, Newburyport track coach Tim Foley may have been pulling for the opposing team.

Who wasn't?

The North Andover boys track team came to Fuller Field for its first meet since the death of 17-year-old co-captain Alex Farese nine days ago. Farese collapsed on the North Andover track April 14 and remained unconscious at Tuft Medical Center for a week before he was pronounced dead.

Righty pair have Knights flying high

Mike Hashem made for plenty of boring afternoons on the diamond.

"Last year, it was easy just to sit and watch Hashem go out and strike out 18 guys in a game," admitted Brian Meikle, North Andover High senior and former teammate of the UConn freshman.

After tragedy, North Andover High track team soldiers on

Unlike his friend, Drew Pickul will be able to compete again.

"I'm not quite sure how I'm going to deal with it," he said. "I have to figure it out when it comes."

North Andover drops H-W

Pat Twomey knocked in all three Generals runs with a two-run single following by another run scoring single later in the game, but North Andover prevailed 12-3. Matt Greeke added a pair of hits and Dan Mulley doubled to lead H-W.

Andover strikes late, edges North Andover

After three tough quarters, it took just a moment for Andover to turn the tide.

Trailing by a goal heading into the fourth quarter, the Golden Warriors scored three times in under a minute and went on to down neighbor rival North Andover 7-4 last night.

Promising Knights junior got off to blistering start but can now only sit and wait

Two days after scoring five goals in the season opener, Briana Connolly tripped over a teammate's foot in practice, rolling her ankle.

"I just laid there for a second, thinking I'd be able to shake it off," said Connolly, one of North Andover's scoring leaders. "When I tried to move my ankle, I started to get very worried that I might be out for a while."

Masco walks off with win

Pat Matvichuk's hard-hit grounder plated the walk-off run in the seventh inning to lift the undefeated Chieftains (4-0) over North Andover, 5-4. James Riordan shined with a complete game effort and didn't surrender an earned run as errors led to all of North Andovers scoring plays. If that wasn't enough, the senior's second inning grand slam accounted for the Chieftains other runs.

Defense carries Masco

Kevin Van Lenten stopped 12 shots and the Chieftains killed off a penalty in the fourth quarter to get by North Andover, 3-2. Conor Cliffe, Sean Gallagher and Ben Santos accounted for the offense, which spotted Masco (4-1) a 3-1 lead. Teddy Reed and Clay Cleveland helped pace an outstanding defensive effort.

North Andover edges Whittier

Brian Meikle improved to 2-0 on the year, pitching his second straight gem for North Andover, which edged Whittier, 2-0. Billy Della Rocca had a pair of hits for the Knights. Dillon Ryan blasted a two-run homer for the Wildcats.

Amesbury relinquishes early lead, falls to North Andover

For one game at least, North Andover showed some of the magic that helped carry the Knights to the Division 2 state finals last year.

Despite the influx of several newcomers and a defensive shuffle created by a recent injury to veteran first baseman Kristen O'Connor, the Knights opened their season by rallying past perennial power Amesbury, 6-4.

Cullinan, Vartebedian net two goals each in Clippers loss

Avery Cullinan and Emily Vartebedian scored two goals each for Newburyport. Chloe Hundertmark and Haley Johnson added one each. Freshman Lily Galzerano had eight saves. Newburyport trailed 13-1 at halftime.

North Andover Baseball Preview

2007 record: 12-8, lost in Division 2 North first round

Returning starters (5): Brent Ringland, Sr., SS; Ryan Sifferlen, Jr., CF; Brian Meikle, Sr., P; Taylor Livingston, Sr., C; Gary Lunetta, Sr., 1B

North Andover Girls Lacrosse Preview

2007 record: 17-4. lost Division 2 North semifinals

Returning starters (11): Katie Boringa, Sr., defense; Morgan Healey, Sr., midfield; Brittany Topham, Sr., attack; Britney Chiles, Sr., defense; Caroline Barclay, Jr., midfield; Briana Connolly, Jr., attack; Kate Kleinendorst, Jr., defense; Jenn Pino, Jr., midfield; Stephanie Taylor, Jr., goalie; Emily Vento, Jr., attack; Amanda Wescott, Jr., defense

North Andover Softball Preview

2007 record: 24-1, lost in Division 2 state finals

Returning starters (5):  Kate Reading, Sr., RF; Alison McCarthy, Sr., CF; Kristin O'Connor, Sr., 1B; Krissy Whitley, Jr., 3B; Candace Waldie, Soph., C

North Andover Boys Lacrosse Preview

2007 record: 17-5, lost Division 2 East quarterfinals

Returning starters (8): Tyler Zahoruiko, Jr., attack; Jon Blackwell, Sr., attack; Steve Collura, Sr., attack; Ross Marchegiani, Sr., defense; Alex Marchegiani, Sr., defense; Matt Foster, Sr., midfield; Kyle Dolan, Sr., midfield; John Foley, Sr., midfield

Brilliant North Andover comeback falls short

Trailing Reading 52-41 in the fourth quarter, North Andover coach Mike McVeigh put the Division 2 North semifinal game and the season in the hands of his five seniors.

The gallant Knights nearly pulled off another sectional semis miracle.

Ugly win suits Knights just fine

Over his 26 years on the North Andover High bench, Mike McVeigh has seen a slew of potential hoop Picassos end in heartbreak at the hands of Middlesex League foes.

An ugly Friday night for North Andover? McVeigh and the Knights, survivors by a 44-37 score over Winchester in the Division 2 North quarterfinals here at Crozier Field House last night, will take it just fine.

Three late goals lift Peabody to dramatic win over North Andover

STONEHAM | When the Peabody High hockey team fell behind by two goals with under five minutes remaining in last night's Division 2 North first round showdown vs. North Andover, most figured the end was near.

Second half sinks Scarlet Knights

Just wait until next year.

Another season's experience and growth could make North Andover a player in the Division 2 North girls basketball tournament. But last night, there were too many periods of empty offense that erased an impressive defensive effort and allowed Melrose to pull away for a 47-28 first-round victory.

Diaz, Rangers end on a high note

Methuen closed the season with a flourish, defeating North Andover 52-50. Romeo Diaz capped his fine career with a 21-point performance.

The Scarlet Knights had a shot at the buzzer, but it rimmed out. Sean McManus chipped in 16 points and Steve Boudreau scored a team-high 17 points.

Brazil's two goals lead Chieftains past North Andover

Junior winger Tom Brazil scored twice as Masconomet earned its 12th win of the season, knocking off North Andover, 3-1, at Merrimack College.

Ryan Dooley also scored, Andrew Roach had a pair of assists and Mike DiGiorgio stopped 13 shots for the Chieftains (12-7 overall), who finished 10-6 in Cape Ann League play.

Unsung sophomore sparks Knights to share of crown

On a Senior Night worth celebrating, it was a sophomore who led the way for rejuvenated North Andover yesterday.

Sophomore guard Tommy O'Connell came off the bench to pump in a career-high 21 points to pace the Knights to a resounding 65-40 victory over Masconomet. With the win, the hosts earned a share of the Cape Ann League Division 1 crown with Wilmington.

Masconomet girls keep on rolling

As the postseason nears, the express known as the Masconomet Regional girls basketball team just keeps picking up more and more steam.

The Chieftains rolled to their 15th straight victory with ease last night, hammering arch rival North Andover, 74-45, at home. The victory kept Masco unbeaten in Cape Ann League play (13-0) and made them 17-1 overall.

From after-thought to the starting five

Last winter's whispers were actually screams, followed by laughter.

"Lots of friends just like me didn't even bother to try out," said North Andover High senior Will Enright. "Friends said I had no chance. Even after I made the team, some kids who thought I shouldn't have, were like, 'Why did you make it?' I tried not to listen to it."

Wilmington hammers Knights to move into first

Prior to last night's battle for Cape Ann League supremacy, North Andover head coach Mike McVeigh noted containing Wilmington's offense would be vital.

Unfortunately for the Scarlet Knights, the Wildcats erupted for 68 points through three quarters and whipped the visitors, 75-57.

Clippers one win away from returning to tournament

The Newburyport Clippers traveled to Lawler Arena in North Andover Saturday night looking to break a four-year curse. "This place has been a house of horrors for us," said Coach Paul Yameen. "We've been 0-3-2 (here) including our loss to Central Catholic last year."

Division 2 North Sectional

Six days after the New England Patriots failed to make history, the Greater Lawrence wrestling team made a lot of it yesterday at the Division 2 North Sectional at Beverly High School.

The Reggies, who are the defending Division 2 dual-meet champions, overwhelmed the 12-team field to finish first with 278 points, placing seven in the finals, crowned four champions, placed all 14 wrestlers (top six) and advanced 12 to next week's Division 2 state meet at Reading.

It's Miller time for Knights

With senior standouts Kyle Dolan and Andrew Bogosian immediately preceding him in the lineup, North Andover heavyweight Mike Miller hasn't gotten much notice this season.

But yesterday, in the Knights' 37-22 victory over Phillips Academy, Miller was the hero as veteran head coach Dave Castricone picked up his 599th career win.

North Andover rules CAL

The gap is closing just a bit, but North Andover continues to rule the Cape Ann League.

The Knights captured the CAL meet at Wilmington for the seventh straight time, and 10th time in the last 11 years by scoring 205 points. Masconomet was second (170) and Lynnfield/North Reading (138) came in third.

Hornets knock off North Andover for third straight win

The Manchester Essex girls basketball team seems to be hitting its stride as the state tournament looms near.

The Hornets captured their third straight victory last night with a 48-37 decision over North Andover. Manchester Essex boosted its record to 9-7 with the win, while North Andover slipped to 8-7 in the ultra-competitive Cape Ann League.

Vikings tournament eligible for first time this year

While nothing about the Triton fourth-quarter comeback against North Andover last night was fast, it was certainly furious.

Down 10 points | 26-16 | heading into the last eight minutes of the game, the Vikings outscored the Scarlet Knights 20-4 in that final frame en route to a 36-30 victory.

McManus helps North Andover edge Methuen

Sean McManus scored 15 points to lead North Andover past Methuen, 54-47. Steve Boudreau added 13 points for the Scarlet Knights.

"We defended the 3-pointer much better in the second half," said North Andover coach Mike McVeigh. "Our defense was just better than their offense after halftime and that was the difference in the game."

North Andover drops Georgetown

Taryn O'Connell scored 12 points and Haley Gisonno scored 13 points to lead Georgetown in a tight contest. The Royals, however, fell to North Andover, 43-34.

Nicole Zahoruiko hurt the Royals down the stretch, scoring 21 points for the Scarlet Knights. Georgetown hung around for much of the contest, only trailing 25-23 at the half. North Andover outscored the Royals 18-11 in the second half, however, to pull away. The Knights improved to 8-5 and the Royals dropped to 7-6 on the season.

Spears' big night spoiled by North Andover

Freshman guard Jaymie Spears poured in 22 points, but it wasn't enough for Georgetown, which fell to North Andover 57-49.

The Royals trailed for most of the night, but caught the Knights in the fourth quarter. The Royals were able to take a four-point lead, but North Andover stormed back, outscoring the Knights 21-15 in the fourth to win what was a one possession game until the final minute.

Pentucket dominates North Andover

North Andover dominated Pentucket 59-15 to run its record to 16-5 on the season. The Scarlet Knights got strong perfomances at 125 pounds by Jim Connolly who won by pin in 1:26, Jake Monroe who won at 135 by pin in 1:45, and Jared Hood who won at 145 by pin in 1:31.

Amesbury falls to North Andover in CAL showdown

What senior Bre Comeau said about her teammates after succumbing to a streaking North Andover basketball club spoke volumes, "I love them to death. I wouldn't want to play with anybody else."

This quote says it all about a basketball team that | despite a 4-7 record | has a unified and endearing approach to hard work and sportsmanship.

Scarlet Knights bury Vikings

When you play in a conference as tough as the Cape Ann League and you don't have any seniors on your team, odds are there will be some lopsided scores from time to time.

Rockport (2-8, 0-6) continued to experience growing pains as it fell 55-12 to visiting North Andover (6-5, 4-2).

Newburyport outclassed by North Andover

Numbers, especially records, don't always tell the whole truth.

Such was the case last evening when Newburyport (6-4) hosted North Andover (6-3).

However, one look at the degree of difficulty of the Scarlet Knights' three losses | a one-point loss to No. 17 ranked Wilmington, a 14-point loss to No. 2 ranked Central Catholic, and a seven-point loss to New Hampshire's No. 2 ranked team, Salem | proved the visitors had a more difficult road to six wins. After all, the three losses came to teams with a combined record of 19-1.

Coaches' Corner: North Andover's Sue Breen

Before she began coaching at North Andover High, Sue Breen starred for the Scarlet Knights. She was a member of the 1983-84 Division 2 North champions, who fell to Walpole by two points in the EMass. final.

North Andover's Sifferlen a scoring machine

North Andover's Ryan Sifferlen stands out like a sore thumb on the ice.

Maybe it's his impressive speed. Maybe it's his uncanny ability to score both around the net and from outside of the crease.

Levy's late goal propels North Andover

Michael Levy took a pass from Jonathan O'Connor and scored on a breakaway with 3:47 left to give North Andover a 2-1 win over North Reading. Ryan Sifferlen added his 18th goal of the season, and Tyler Morandi made 25 saves for the Scarlet Knights. Fred Hein scored the Hornets' goal, and Garrett Topping made 23 saves.

Clipper captain nets hat trick in upset of North Andover

The Newburyport hockey team needed a player to emerge as its go-to scorer during Saturday's tilt against North Andover. The Scarlet Knights entered undefeated in league play (4-0-1), while the Clippers would've dropped to 2-4 with a loss and had their hopes of capturing a Cape Ann League title all but dashed.

Newburyport too much for North Andover

North Andover's Ryan Sifferlen stayed hot, scoring an impressive breakaway goal and assisting on two others, but the Scarlet Knights fell to Newburyport, 6-4.

Ryan Gillespie added a pair of tallies and Ryan Arsenault had one goal for North Andover, which rallied back from a two-goal deficit in the second.

Maturing Owls back on top at Lowell

Heavyweight Brian Nicoll put an exclamation point on an impressive statement made by the Timberlane wrestling team yesterday at the 54-team Lowell Holiday Tournament.

The Owls, who finished second last year by a point and a half, came back with a vengence to claim their third team crown in four years with 241 points, comfortably ahead of runners-up Concord, N.H., and Winchester, who tied with 210. Pinkerton (120) was sixth, Central Catholic (111) came in eighth and Salem, N.H. (102<1/2>) tied for 10th.

Pentucket tournament: Reggies surge past Lancers for crown

It was a Braveheart evening yesterday at the Pentucket Tournament.

Despite resting five standout starters, Greater Lawrence charged into first place to win its second title in three years with 146 points, slipping past local rival and defending champion Lawrence (141<1/2>), which led heading into the final round.

Salem's Stoodley dominates

Shawn Stoodley hauled in a whopping 20 rebounds to lead Salem over North Andover 59-46 in Greater Lawrence Christmas Tourney consolation play.

The 6-3 senior, a second-team New Hampshire All-Division 1 defensive end in football, outmuscled and outhustled everybody on the glass. The Blue Devils needed his yeoman play as the Scarlet Knights, who had trailed by 17 early in the fourth, made a late run.

Sifferlen's scoring barrage lifts North Andover over Haverhill

And this is still only the beginning.

After a sophomore campaign where he scored a team-high 40 points and earned Cape Ann League All-Star honors, North Andover's Ryan Sifferlen continues to improve his game without specializing in it.

Even without Thomann, Andover doesn't miss a beat

Andover may be hurting, but it didn't seem to matter.

With Bentley College-bound senior guard Meghan Thomann sidelined with a quad injury, the Golden Warriors still rolled past North Andover 69-54.

North Andover soccer coach's remarkable journey to success

Kevin "Bud" McCarthy keeps the portrait in his wallet. It's stained and yellowed, but the gold buttons on his uniform are still bright.

Could it really be him?

If you didn't believe that McCarthy a man known for his wit, charm and empathy, was a marine, the photograph proves it.

Central fends of scrappy Knights

Tradition, tourney experience, talent, it's not a bad skill-set to fall back on when your world is disintegrating around you.

The top team in Eastern Mass., Central Catholic, saw a first-round blowout win nearly evaporate in the second half, barely surviving a wild rally from gritty North Andover and prevailing, 63-49.

Smith powers Ipswich, again

Ipswich junior Amber Smith has a reputation for coming up big in big games. Her trip to North Andover last night was no different.

The Tigers' talented junior hit 9-of-16 floor shots in a 21 point effort that carried the undefeated visitors (4-0) to a 45-31 girls' basketball victory over North Andover.

North Andover downs Pentucket

Ryan Sifferlen netted two goals to go along with two assists as North Andover trounced Pentucket 5-1. The Sachems' goal came from Adam Roberts.

North Andover can't keep up with Masco

North Andover couldn't keep pace in the second quarter and fell to Masconomet 47-31. The Knights trailed 9-8 after the first frame but could only manage three more points before halftime and fell behind 23-11.

Knights come back strong and beat Masco

North Andover bounced back from a heartbraking opening-season loss by clipping Masconomet 73-57. In a shift from the norm, the Knights did most of their damage underneath, led by 6-foot-4 senior Hayden Yeazel, who led all scorers with 22 points and added seven rebounds. Will Enright also had seven rebounds.

Vikings rip North Andover

Behind the hot goaltending of Justin Joslin and a devastating second period in which Triton outscored North Andover, 4-0, the Vikings beat the Scarlet Knights, 7-1, on Saturday night at the Graf Rink.

Central takes Kando approach

LAWRENCE | The wait was well worth it for Central Catholic seniors Dave Kando and Alberto Nunez.

With the Raiders trailing North Andover 26-22 with just two matches remaining last night, Kando and Nunez | wrestling in the first varsity dual meets of their career | prevailed in a pair of barnburners, 12-10 in overtime at 171 and 5-4 on a late controversial call at 189, to give Central a heart-stopping 28-26 decision.

Sifferlen gives North Andover win over Methuen

METHUEN | Methuen was just minutes away from what would have been nothing short of a huge opening-night upset. The Rangers held a one-goal lead for 30 minutes before North Andover came storming back with two goals in the final 3:13 to down the Rangers, 2-1, in front of a cold and noisy crowd.

North Andover wrestling preview

2006-07 record: 26-4, lost in Division 2 North final

Returning starters (6): Jared Hood, Sr., 145; Jimmy Connolly, Sr., 130/135; Kyle Dolan, Sr., 189; Andrew Bogosian, Sr., 215/285; Derek Timpe??, Jr., 152; Corey Neault, Sr., 112

North Andover Boys Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 18-6, lost in the Division 2 North finals

Returning starters (2): Sean McManus, 5-10, Sr., guard; Steve Boudreau, 6-1, Sr., guard

Returning lettermen: Hayden Yeazel, 6-4, Sr., forward; Steve Collura, 5-10, Sr., guard; Will Enright, 6-3, Sr., forward

North Andover Boys Ice Hockey Preview

2006-07 record: 12-5-4, lost in Division 2 North first round

Returning starters (10): Ryan Whyte, Jr., goalie; Jon Blackwell, Sr., defense; Ryan Sifferlen, Jr., forward; Bryant Carter, Sr., forward; Ricky LaViska, Sr., forward; Mike Indigaro, Jr., forward; Ryan Gillespie, Jr., forward; D.J. Chaisson, Jr., forward; Jack Hyman, Soph., forward, Ryan Arsenault, Jr., forward

North Andover Girls Basketball Preview

2006-07 record: 7-13, didn't qualify for the state tournament

Returning starters (3): Nicole Zahoruiko, 5-9, Jr., forward; Katie Boringa, 5-9, Sr., forward; Jackie Sullivan, 5-7, Soph., guard

Masconomet football defense stymies North Andover

TOPSFIELD | Masconomet defensive end Teddy Reed waited patiently under the goalposts as he was the last player to be introduced to the crowd before the Thanksgiving Day game against North Andover yesterday.