Some belated thoughts:
Central Catholic should be proud of its boys soccer team.
The Raiders, or as one observer dubbed them, “The walking wounded”, played their hearts out Friday afternoon in the Division 2 North semifinals. A multitude of injuries didn’t stop them from staying with Dracut.
Mukena Mbiye was dangerous up front, nearly scoring in the second half. The senior forward, who moved to the United States from the Republic of Congo three years ago, finished the season with eight goals.
Brendan Slein also deserves a mention for playing goalie with reckless abandon despite his banged up right knee. His tears at game’s end were as genuine a display of emotion as I’ve seen in my short time covering sports.
North Andover field hockey’s Dianne Freiermuth, who is retiring from coaching after 15 years at the helm of the varsity program, deserves a cyber-round of applause.
The Scarlet Knights finished 22-1 this year to up her career record to 147-85-66.
Freiermuth, who has three young children at home, is not, I repeat, not, retiring from her teaching post at North Andover High. She’s simply hoping to spend a bit more time with her family.
For more on Freiermuth’s impressive run at NAHS, check out Coaches’ Corner Wednesday and the Eagle-Tribune sports section later this week.
