To the surprise of no one, the Northeastern Conference principals voted 6-5 against allowing the four remaining Greater Boston League teams, along with the Cape Ann League’s Masconomet, into the NC.
Eight yes votes were needed. The six no’s were Salem, Winthrop, Gloucester, Danvers, Swampscott and Lynn English.
“It’s very disappointing. I thought this would have been a great thing for the league,” said Beverly athletic director James Coffey, who made the presentation yesterday. “I thought we could have become a 16-team superleague, one of the best in the state.”
The news was the latest disappointment for GBL schools Everett, Malden, Medford and Somerville.
“It’s frustrating. It’s very tedious to go through the process every year and then get rejected,” said Everett AD John DiBiaso. “I’m just tired of our league getting turned down every single time.”
Boys soccer
South Shore Christian qualified for the state tournament with a 5-0 nonleague victory over Cape Cod Academy. Senior captain TJ Vasquez had two goals and three assists for SS Christian (7-4-3).
Matt Jeager scored two goals as Ipswich (7-8-1) won the ALS Cup on penalty kicks after it tied Georgetown (7-2-7), 2-2, in Cape Ann League play.
Girls soccer
Kayleigh White tied the game with five minutes left as Masconomet (10-0-3) tied Triton (7-5-3), 3-3, in the Cape Ann League.
Field hockey
Cara Storms scored three goals and Lizzie Loranger added two as Apponequet (16-0) defeated Fairhaven, 3-0, securing an undefeated season in the South Coast Conference.