The Whaler boys soccer team was able to get back in the win column with a 6-0 road win over the Falmouth Academy Mariners Thursday afternoon, erupting for four goals in the second half to put the game out of reach and improve their record to 9-4-1.
“I think Falmouth Academy was a little undermanned today so I believe they will be bringing a stronger team to Nantucket next week,” Whaler head coach Rich Brannigan II said. “I was happy with our guys. They found out where the spaces on the field were and where the opportunities to attack were, which is good because sometimes you can’t force it and have to be patient.”
Striker Pajorn Drysdale opened the scoring by softly bumping the ball over the sprawling Mariner goalie, then midfielder Treyce Brannigan let one rip from outside the box that Falmouth Academy had no shot of stopping to give Nantucket the 2-0 lead going into halftime.
“Pajorn has been a consistent contributor up front,” Brannigan II said. “Then David (Lemus-Castro) has been the assist maker a lot lately which is good that he is involving everyone. Just have been waiting for the boys to start finishing those chances but it has been nice seeing David develop and get better game after game.”
The Whalers exploded for three goals early on in the second half, led by Brannigan and Castro, to make it 5-0. Nantucket would add one late goal to seal it.
“It was nice to have a win by more than one goal,” Brannigan II said. “We were in control from the beginning so it was more about let’s make sure we don’t make any mistakes in the back. Let’s make sure we figure out how to manage and control the game. (Falmouth Academy) had two or three really good chances and I was warning the boys to make sure some of these guys don’t come running at you while you are flat footed because they would run right past us.”
Nantucket will host Dennis-Yarmouth on Monday at 4 pm as they look to bring their win total to double digits.
In other Whaler sports news,
Volleyball Beats Rising Tide In Straight Sets
The Whaler volleyball team improved their record to 10-6 on the season with a win in straight sets over the Rising Tide Herons in Plymouth Thursday afternoon. The Whalers won the first set 25-21, the second set 25-12, and the third set 25-20. It was a match Nantucket had complete control over and allowed head coach Andrew Viselli to be flexible with his lineup.
“Everyone played,” head coach Andrew Viselli said. “Chloe Marrero is improving at an unbelievable rate (team-high 10 kills).”
The Whalers will host the Sandwich Blue Knights on Saturday at 12 pm
Boys And Girls Cross Country Beats Rising Tide
The Whaler boys and girls cross country teams took care of business Wednesday afternoon with a pair of wins over the Rising Tide Herons. The boys team won 25-31 and the girls team won 15-50.
The Whalers will host three schools (Nauset, Dennis-Yarmouth, and Falmouth) on Tuesday. Tuesday’s meet will be the Whalers final regular season meet before the Cape & Islands League Championship next weekend.
Field Hockey Beats Sturgis East With Dominant Performance
The Whaler field hockey team beat the Sturgis East Storm 2-0 Wednesday afternoon in an away matchup, improving their record to 5-9-1 this season.
The Whalers were in control for most of the game with consistent offensive pressure. Caroline Collette and Sue Peraner were the Whaler goal scorers.
The Whalers will host Seekonk on Saturday at 1 pm.
