Boys soccer falls just short of tourney
The Everett High boys soccer team fell just short of earning a bid for the state tourney in the final week of its season.
Coach Rodney Landaverde’s squad, which had defeated eventual Greater Boston League (GBL) champion Chelsea the week before with a dramatic, come-from-behind victory to move within striking distance of a tourney berth, needed to win both of its final contests vs. GBL foes Somerville and Medford in order to punch their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney.
However, in last Tuesday’s match with Somerville, the Crimson Tide yielded two early goals for a 2-0 deficit that they proved unable to overcome.
“We had a rough start all first half in which not much was generated,” said Landaverde. “In the second half we started to generate a few more chances, but still could not put together much until the very end on a cross from sophomore Daniel Henriquez to freshman Miguel Santos, who headed our only goal of the game.”
Two days later, the Tide traveled to Medford for their season finale. After the Mustangs grabbed an early 1-0 advantage, Everett brought the contest back to level a few minutes later off a rebound in the box with Miguel Santos finishing it to score his fourth goal of the season.
Throughout the first half it was fairly even with both teams battling in the midfield. Sophomores Luis Sorto-Rosales and Eric Melara, two junior varsity players, got some quality minutes after being brought up to the varsity this past week.
Late in the second half, senior Lucas Rabelo scored on a header off a corner kick, set-piece, assisted by sophomore Samuel Silva, who earned his first varsity assist.
“Our final record was 6-8-4, missing the tournament by one win,” said Landaverde. “It was an unfortunate way to end the season, but I am ambitious for the next couple of years, as we have a lot of returning players as juniors and seniors.
“I am grateful to have coached this year’s seniors and for their contributions to the program,” Landaverde added. “They all set the standard of our core principles and expectations on and off the field, and I am truly honored to see them move onto the next level academically and athletically.”
EHS girls soccer concludes season
The Everett High girls soccer team took on the top two teams in the Greater Boston League last week. The Lady Crimson Tide entered the contests with a glimmer of a chance of qualifying for the state tourney, but despite valiant efforts, they were unable to come away with the needed victories.
In a match last Tuesday with second-place Someville, the Lady Crimson Tide came up on the short end of a 6-0 decision.
“Despite the loss, we held our ground and saw more shots and opportunities than in the previous matchup earlier this year,” said EHS head coach Dom Persuitte. “Liv Simon controlled the midfield on the defensive side. Jasmine Morais stepped up and played right wing, keeping the Somerville players at bay.
“Kayla Andrade had a few opportunities in the offensive end as well,” continued Persuitte. “Senior captain Casey Martinez stepped up and played a new role as a CAM, while Gissell Lemus took over the center back role, as she will be replacing the departing Martinez. Sofia Arana-Quintanilla shifted back to the defensive side of the ball and had a greater impact on the game, where she excels.”
Two days later, the Lady Crimson Tide hosted first-place Medford, whose lone blemish in the GBL was a 1-1 tie with Chelsea. Although the Tide came up short, 5-0, Persuitte lauded his team’s effort.
“We had a strong showing,” said Persuitte. “The girls played well, and they had fun doing so. Knowing we weren’t going to make the tournament, they realized they just wanted to play for fun. We did have a couple of good opportunities, especially in the second half, but just couldn’t finish.
“Some notable players included Rosa Romero, Casey Martinez, Kathleen De Souza, Jasmine Morias, Kayla Andrade, Melanie Ribeiro, Odalis Sandoval, and Sofia Arana-Quintanilla, who (Arana-Quintanilla) played their natural position (defense) and were thriving,” Persuitte continued. “Tiffany Aguilar started and played in goal, playing well despite the goals. This is a new position for her, and she will be the new goalkeeper for us next year. She has the natural ability to adjust and play this position.”
The Lady Crimson Tide were scheduled to conclude their 2025 season yesterday (Tuesday) with a match vs. non-league opponent Lowell.
EHS field hockey ties Revere, 2-2, celebrates seniors
The Everett High field hockey wrapped up its 2025 season with three games last week, highlighted by a dramatic, come-from-behind 2-2 tie with Revere that also featured Senior Night festivities.
“This week I had the privilege to watch as my athletes embodied everything we strive for: spirit, dedication, and heart,” said EHS head coach Nicola Jones. “While the scoreboard didn’t always fall our way, the growth and resilience my players demonstrated were nothing short of inspiring.”
Last Monday, the Tide dropped a 3-0 decision to Saugus. “Frankly, we didn’t play the field hockey I know we are capable of. But as any coach knows, a team’s true character is revealed after a setback,” said Jones.
The Tide answered the call just two days later against Lowell, battling fiercely in a 1-0 loss.
“The team delivered their best performance of the entire season,” Jones said. “They played as one cohesive unit, and it was a spectacular display of tenacity. Every single player stepped up, but I have to highlight the stellar play of goalie Wilins Julien, who was truly our biggest asset in net. Defenders Justin Contreras, Emely Flores, Brittany Valle, and Anayha Sunsin held the line brilliantly, while captains Lindsey Sylva and Stephano Orleus led by example. We also saw tremendous efforts from Spencer Racine, Ivey Walker, and Ralphy Raphael.”
In the season finale on Thursday against Revere, “it was all about energy, and the team left everything they had on the turf,” said Jones. “It was a fiercely-fought game, and though we didn’t get the win, the team rallied for an incredible comeback moment when Ivey Walker netted two powerful goals in the final five minutes of the game to give us a 2-2 tie.”
The exuberant comeback was a fitting conclusion to the Tide’s Senior Night festivities at which the team’s members of the Class of 2026 were recognized for their contributions to the field hockey program.
“We joyfully celebrated the 12 players who have given so much to our program,” said Jones. “We recognized nine fantastic first-year seniors: Wendy Rodriguez Ayala, Isadora Da Silveira, Isabella Aguirre Jimenez, Jacky Ramos, Jane’e Saintvil, Ildha Fevrier, Paula Castillo, Spencer Racine, and Ralphy Raphael. They immediately stepped up to the challenge.
“We also honored our dedicated returning seniors: Anahya Sunsin (two years), Stephano Orelus (three years), and our longest-serving player, Lindsey Sylva, a five-year veteran who has been playing for EHS field hockey since the eighth grade,” continued Jones.
“Their commitment is unmatched. We will undoubtedly miss their leadership, talent, and passion next year, but my entire staff and I are so excited to watch them excel in their next chapter. They have set a high bar for the underclassmen, and I couldn’t be prouder,” Jones added.
“As the final whistle blew against Revere, it officially marked the end of our season. While the win-loss column wasn’t what we aimed for, I look back on this journey with immense pride,” Jones said. “Overall, it was a great season, full of essential learning moments that will serve these athletes far beyond the turf. They learned to handle tough losses, to push through exhaustion, and to trust each other completely. We hang up our sticks for now, proud of the effort and the character demonstrated. The foundation for next year is strong, built on the spirit, dedication, and heart of every player who wore the Everett uniform. I’m already excited for what the future holds for this group, and I couldn’t ask for a better team to coach.”
EHS girls volleyball holds Senior Night
The Everett High girls volleyball team wrapped up its season last Wednesday with a match that was highlighted by Senior Night festivities at which the team’s seven seniors were honored for their contributions to the EHS volleyball program.
“The stands were packed, we fed off the energy of the crowd, and played well, though we ultimately fell, 3-1,” said EHS head coach Michael Fineran. “All seven seniors were in the starting lineup, with assistant captain Amanda Verteiro playing libero for the match. Amanda had an ace in 12 serves, and she finished her three-year varsity career with 264 serves and 56 aces.”
Captain Nicole Damaceno was perfect from the service line for the game, hitting all 16 in to finish her career with 500 serves in three years.
“Nicole is such a good role model on and off the court,” lauded Fineran. “We will miss her steady leadership.”
Assistant captain Juliette Romboli had three aces and five kills to finish the season with a team-high 47 aces and 124 kills. Romboli concluded her career by tallying her 200th kill. “That kind of firepower will be hard to replace,” noted Fineran.
Lindsey Cherichel-Paul was 10-for-10 serving, and added a kill and a block. “Lindsey led the team this year with 18 blocks,” said Fineran. “Aya Selimovic was second with 12 blocks. Leliani Ros Morales earned her second block in the match, and served nine times with two aces. Shaeendra Hall had two aces and six kills.
“These girls have a lot to be proud of for the way they kept everyone focused and loose, despite the adversity that happens in a 3-17 season,” Fineran added. “We did not get the results we wanted this year, but we kept fighting to the end, and we played some of our most competitive volleyball in the last two weeks.”