St. John’s captures golf title
McLaughlin leads Prep in a repeat performance
Sophomore Nick McLaughlin, a Globe All-Scholastic last year, helped St. John’s Prep clinch the Catholic Conference championship by defeating BC High, 241-245, at Salem Country Club yesterday.
St. John’s Prep secured an undefeated season (15-0, 8-0), bringing with it the school’s second consecutive conference title.
McLaughlin, the state junior champion, shot a 1-under-par 35 in frigid conditions.
“He was the star of the day,’’ said Prep coach Larry O’Neill. “He’s an extraordinary putter.’’
McLaughlin’s efforts were followed by sophomore Nick Pandelena, who shot 1-over 37 and senior Nick Maccario, another All-Scholastic, who shot 38. “We knew going into the season that we’d be a good team. The top of our lineup was strong with McLaughlin, Pandelena, and Maccario,’’ said O’Neill. “The depth of our lineup has been key.’’
BC High managed a six-shot lead, until junior Greg Doyle (42) and sophomore Tim Cunningham (43) led Prep’s turnaround.
“Clearly different people have chipped in and kept us undefeated,’’ said O’Neill.
The Eagles will finish their season with a match against Central Catholic Tuesday.
“That’ll be big and we gave them their only loss,’’ said O’Neill, who will be going for his 300th victory (299-21) in 21 years leading St. John’s Prep. “We go into every season with three goals: to win the conference title, the sectional title, and the state championship. We’ve accomplished the first of the three and have two more to go.’’
Cardinal Spellman 3, Austin Prep 1 - Senior midfielder Michael Kearney scored twice as the Cardinals improved to 14-0.
Dedham 4, Norwood 3 - The Marauders (5-7) won thanks to senior Jamir Benitez’s hat trick and a big save by Scott Murphy in the last two minutes.
Mashpee 1, East Bridgewater 0 - Connor Premarthe had 15 saves in the Falcons’ shutout.
Falmouth 4, Marshfield 2 - Senior defender Cody Leaf tied the game at the 60-minute mark for the Clippers and Matt Flynn, who had three assists, scored the go-ahead goal unassisted in the 71st minute.
Framingham 3, Needham 1 - Senior captain Gus Santos powered the Flyers with two goals, improving their record to 10-1-3, 9-1-2 in the Bay State Conference.
Marblehead 6, Beverly 1 - Mary Kerock had one goal and three assists, and fellow midfielder Lindsey Cohen knocked in two goals and added an assist for the Magicians.
Bishop Feehan 7, Bishop Stang 0 - Freshman Andrea Luongo stacked on two goals for the Shamrocks (10-1-1).
Brockton 5, Fontbonne 1 - The Boxers’ Morgan Bronco tallied a hat trick.
Duxbury 2, Pembroke 1 - Junior Melissa Gavin’s goal off a corner kick with 20 seconds left won the game for the Green Dragons.
Whitman-Hanson 4, Hanover 0 - Junior midfielder Sam Mewis scored three goals as the Panthers (9-1-1) qualified for the state tournament.
Falmouth 1, Marshfield 0 - Sophomore Tabitha Cardaro saved a huge win for the Clippers with her seventh shutout of the season.
Scituate 3, Martha’s Vineyard 0 - Junior Aubrey Webber scored and Alanna Woodward recorded her eighth shutout as the Sailors qualified for the tournament.
Plymouth North 5, Nauset 0 - Ashleigh Berg and Emily Admirand smacked in two goals each and Liz Lincoln had her eighth shutout for the Blue Eagles.
Franklin 3, Foxboro 0 - Katherine Hart, Jess Williams, and Katy Cronin potted goals for the Panthers.
Lynnfield 2, Ipswich 1 - Senior Kara Hutchinson’s first goal of the season proved to be the winner for the Pioneers. Lynnfield got its first goal when senior Meriam Gehret scored her 15th tally of the season.
Framingham 2, Needham 1 - Kelly Cohen scored off a penalty corner and Hannah Pearl scored the deciding goal for the Flyers.



