Fall Sports Wrap-Up at APH
The last two weeks of Fall APH athletics are completed!
We started the week off on Monday, Oct. 21 with the last home soccer game vs Pingree. The first half was a solid showing by both sides. While Pingree’s offense dominated possession of the ball and kept APH defense on its half of the pitch, the Penguins played phenomenal defense backed by senior goalie, Nina Dakin, and went into the half 0-3. During the half, the team celebrated seniors Julianna C., Elise W., Carling B., Megan L., Laura F. and Nina D., which re-energized the Penguins as they came out in force for the finish.
Penguins maintained possession of the ball most of the second half and first year Ella L. chipped in a clean ball right over the head of the Pingree goalie. Pingree ultimately took the win, with the game ending 1-3.
During the fall season, APH also participates in a co-op with Hamilton Wenham High School for Cheerleading. The APH girls have dedicated their afternoons to traditional and stunt cheerleading and had their first cheer competition on Sunday, October 27 Masconomet Regional High School. Currently, APH has 5 participants on the Hamilton-Wenham Co-Op team.
Each member of the APH Cross Country team has had a phenomenal season! Seniors Sophie C. and Bella C. have flipped their finishes first and second consistently throughout the season. First year Paige B. has improved dramatically and is the future of APH Cross Country. On Saturday night, Oct. 19, the team raced in their first invitational of the season and all three runners shaved an entire minute off their time.
Paige B. started the night with the Freshman 2.1 mile race and finished with a time of 16:36.1, 79th place out of 139 finishers. Sophie C. had a great performance running 22:55.4, finishing 170th out of the 217 runners that crossed the line. Bella C. was close behind Sophie C., finishing 23:43.7 which placed her 186th. Cross Country’s final home meet is Thursday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. against Malden Catholic, where APH will be celebrating their seniors’ final race with tremendous pride and support!
Volleyball’s JV and Varsity teams headed down to Weston High School on Oct. 23. JV had a slow start to their match, allowing the Wild Cats to take a commanding lead. A quick time out by Coach Weston broke the service run and allowed the Penguins a chance to get back in the first set. A tough showing lost them the match 0-2. JV Volleyball was back on the court Oct. 25 at their home facility, and took the win versus Salem Academy.
Varsity Volleyball had a great first set, rallying late to bring the score within 2 points of taking the set from Weston before an unfortunately timed missed serve. The second set started as strong as the first set finished, but the Weston Wild Cats persevered with a solid service game. Outstanding performances by Adrianna K., ’21 and Ashley S., ’21 really kept the Penguin spirits up headed into the 3rd set. APH dropped the last opportunity against Weston, ending the match 0-3. Penguins were back on the court for their final home game appearance of the season Oct. 25 against Salem Academy, which they won! The team then celebrated the contributions of Seniors Shawna Kaplan and Abby Bettencourt.