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IPSWICH | One carry into last night's game, Nate Bunnell knew it was going to be a good night for himself and his Pentucket football teammates.

His first carry | a fullback trap on the game's third play | resulted in a 51-yard touchdown and set the tone for the entire night. Bunnell finished with a career-high four touchdowns, rushing for 138 yards on just five carries as the visiting Sachems cruised to their first victory of the season by crushing host Ipswich, 48-6.

Masconomet allowed a goal with 2:30 remaining in regulation and settled for a 3-3 tie with Pentucket. Kelly Gibson scored two goals for the Chieftains.

For a Newburyport girls soccer team that is 41-4-5 since 2005, wins that garner trophies are no longer cause for celebration.

Such was the case for the Clippers yesterday after they claimed their third consecutive ALS Cup with a 2-0 victory over Pentucket.

NEWBURYPORT | If ever there was a question regarding the intensity of the Newburyport-Pentucket soccer rivalry, it was answered in the closing minutes of last night's sixth annual ALS Cup.

Few in attendance had to check the scoreboard to confirm Pentucket's 2-0 victory in the boys' nightcap. As the referees sounded the final whistle, the Pentucket bench emptied thanks to a herd of sprinting players destined for the celebratory pile of athletes at midfield.

WEST NEWBURY | At halftime, there were more than a few puzzled expressions among the 300 fans at Pentucket on a sweltering opening day Saturday afternoon.

At the house where defensive dominance and ball-control offense are revered, there was a bona fide shootout going on between the Sachems and Hamilton-Wenham.

Pentucket blanked Wilmington 3-0. Anne Cleary, Kelsey Dunn and Brianna Dunn each scored for the Sachems.

The Pentucket football team's 2006 season never seemed to get off the ground between an opening day loss to Hamilton-Wenham and a Thanksgiving Day loss to Triton.

Credit that to an unhealthy dose of confidence coming off a 10-1 2005 season, says returning fullback Nate Bunnell. "Kids were a little cocky last season," Bunnell said. "Now we're stepping back in line."

Pentucket played Newburyport to a 1-1 draw despite holding a 13-3 shooting advantage. Kelsey Dunn scored the lone Sachems goal.

"We completely dominated the second half," Pentucket coach Ruth Beaton said. "We couldn't buy a goal if we had the opportunity. I was very pleased with the way we played in the second half."

2006 record: 4-7

Returning starters (10): Mike Sloban, Sr., OL/DE, 5-11, 185; Matt Fiore, Jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 220; Steve Jenkins, Sr., OL/LB, 5-9, 165; Justin Bolla, Sr., TE/DE, 6-0, 185; Liam Crawford, Sr., SE/QB/DB, 6-1, 160; Nate Bunnell, Sr., RB/DE, 6-2, 190; Steve Hayden, Sr., OL/DE, 5-10, 165; Jordan Silva, Jr., QB/DB, 5-9, 145; Dave Spalding, Sr., RB/DL, 5-6, 185; Brian Pigott, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 170

Coach: Elaine Treado (5th), 34-29-12

Last season: 9-6-4

Key players: Caila Aylward, sr.; Hillary Biggs, sr.; Paige Sutherland, sr.; Courtney Spurr, sr.; Kara Herbert, jr.; Erica Vaughn, jr.; Heather Thomas, jr.