By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Needham High School Fall I athletes continued to power through this COVID-impacted season this past week as the Rockets squared off against rivals Wellesley, Newton North and Brookline.
- Boys soccer earned 2-0 victory at Wellesley on November 7. Senior Daniel Faynstein and junior Mitchell Wilson supplied the scoring for the Rockets. Wilson's goal was a highlight-reel bicycle kick from about 17 yards out to seal the win midway through the fourth quarter.
- Needham boys soccer played to a 2-2 tie with Newton North on November 11 and capped the season with a 3-1 defeat to Brookline on November 13.
- Varsity field hockey earned a 2-1 victory against Brookline on November 11. Kenzie Kelly and Lily Schmalz supplied the scoring for the Rockets. Maeve Hymovitz assisted on both goals. The Rockets capped their season with a 5-1 victory against Newton North on November 13. Kenzie Kelly (2), Grace Kelley, Lena Bannon and Maeve Hymovitz all recorded goals. Needham finished the season without a defeat, their final record sitting at 8-0-2.
- Three members of Needham High varsity boys lacrosse committed to play in college. Senior defensive pole Mikey Fanning committed to play at Wheaton. Senior captain and attack-man Peter Nowlan will play at Ithaca College. Senior captain and face-off man Thomas Barker committed to play at Endicott College.
- Boys cross-country placed third at the Bay State Conference meet. Kyler McNatt led the Rockets with a third-place finish individually. Girls cross country placed fourth. Summer Eisenstadt led the way by placing No. 12 individually.
- Varsity girls soccer earned a 3-1 win at Newton North on November 11. Maddie Ledbury, Sophie Wolin and Caroline Hood scored Needham's goals. The Needham girls capped their season with a 4-1 win against Brookline on November 13. Carolina Hood, Erin Walker (2) and Monica Iriti supplied the scoring for Needham.
For funny and incisive sports analysis as well as video highlights of games, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram handles @flano0.
