UPDATED: Redmen Improve to 4-0 In The MVC

The venue may change but the story has stayed the same in all four of the games against Merrimack Valley Conference opponents so far this year.

Near flawless defense and plenty of scoring has led TMHS to a 4-0 record in MVC play so far this fall, and three of the four wins have been by shut out.

The latest conquest for the red hot Redmen came Thursday afternoon at Livingston Street Field, as scored two goals and assisted on a third in a 3-0 win over Billerica.

earned her third MVC shut out, thanks once again to some solid defense by the TMHS back line. Sophomores Meaghan Blaisdell, Olivia Gallella and Kelly Quigley, along with senior Megan Bouthot, stymied Billerica all afternoon and held the Indians to just four shots on Davies.

The win was Tewksbury's second straight against MVC Division 1 competition. The Redmen have outscored their four MVC opponents by a combined total of 14-1 so far.

"The script hasn't changed," said first-year TMHS coach Jeff Keefe. "If we keep doing what we're supposed to be doing and maintaining defensive values and putting zeroes up on the board it's going to be tough for us to lose."

Sophomore striker Kashka Gammon staked Tewksbury to a 1-0 lead just 11 minutes into the game when she slammed home a corner kick taken by Spencer. Billerica stayed within striking distance for the rest of the first half, but just three minutes into the second half, Gammon returned the first half favor by setting up Spencer for an open shot and a goal.

Spencer provided an insurance goal with an unassisted tally at the 27 minute mark of the second half, dribbling past two defenders and tucking one home to the short side. The two goals were Spencer's seventh and eighth of the season. Gammon now has two goals and two assists.

 "She (Spencer) can definitely work well with the ball in open space," Keefe said. "So if we can get her behind the defense she's a huge threat...Athletically she's a gifted player and she's great to have around."

Tewksbury held a clear advantage in time of possession in this game, thanks in a large part to the midfield play of Nicole Chaet, Sara Semenza, Jordyn Leblanc and Caitlyn Ludka. April McDermott also played well off the bench, as Tewksbury's passing game ruled the day.

"Our control was much better today. It's what we strive for every day," Keefe said. "We're trying to build the ball up through the defense. If we can get the ball behind their defense we can take advantage of our speed, but to that point if we can connect passes we'll move the ball more effectively. "

The Redmen, now 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the league, return to MVC Division 2 competition on Monday when they travel to Tyngsboro for a make-up game against Notre Dame Academy.

FIELD HOCKEY FALLS TO CENTRAL, 2-1

scored her third goal of the season with just seven minutes to play in the game but it was too little, too late as the Redmen lost to Central Catholic, 2-1 at Amesbury Sports Park on Thursday.

Tewksbury came out flat and fell behind 2-0, but rallied at the end.

"It's too bad we didn't wake up sooner," "We just came out really flat. When Hayley scored it really picked us up. We actually had several good chances in the last few minutes, but it was too late by then."

Senior captains Sheri Liggiero and Sarah Hogan played well in defeat, and senior midfielder Nicole McKenna also had a strong game.

Tewksbury falls to 3-3 overall and 2-3 in the Merrimack Valley Conference. The Redmen host Haverhill on Monday.

METHUEN BEATS TMHS BOYS SOCCER TEAM, 7-2

continued to struggle defensively on Thursday, dropping a 7-2 decision to Methuen.

Seniors Andy Chabak and Joseph Camillo scored Tewksbury's goals, but the Redmen fell to 2-5 on the season.

Methuen's seven-goal outburst was in stark contrast to Tewksbury's 1-0 victory over Triton Regional on Saturday. of the season in that game. Scott Ripley scored the game's only goal, assisted by Zach Jacobs.

The Redmen host Haverhill on Tuesday.

GOLF TEAM FALLS TO BILLERICA

Tewksbury High golf coach Jim Sullivan stated last week that the Billerica High golf team was probably the best team his squad would face all year.

It didn’t take long on Thursday for the Indians to prove him right. Billerica won all but one of the eight individual matches and took all four best ball points in rolling to an 18-2 victory over the Redmen at Trull Brook Golf Course. Senior Pat Grinley was the lone point scorer for Tewksbury, taking a one up win over Billerica’s Donny Clericuzio. Grinley, who has won four straight matches, continued his hot streak by winning his match on the final hole in heavy rain. Grinley’s match went back and fourth all day long until Grinley pulled it out with a par on number nine.

“Billerica is the best team in the league and will in all likelihood end up in the top five if not the top three in the Division 1 North state golf tournament,” Sullivan said. “But our guys showed up to play and gave a great effort on a rain-soaked afternoon. We took a lot of the matches to the seventh and eighth holes before ending up on the short end of the stick.” Junior No. 1 player Tyler Slavin shot an impressive two-over 38, but lost one down. Junior Pat Doherty also played well, taking his match to the final hole before losing, two down. Billerica’s Steve Parise shot an even par 36 out of the third spot to beat Doherty.

“There are times when the other team is just better than you are and today that happened to be the case,” Sullivan said. “So you have to tip your hat, and congratulate them and move on to the next match. Our players did a good job today, we weren't really disappointed in how our guys performed playing their own ball, and there is nothing we can do when a guy chips in for a par or an eagle as happened a couple of times out there.”

Tewksbury, now 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Merrimack Valley Conference, hosts Lawrence on Monday.