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Hamilton-Wenham (1-1) held on to a one-goal lead to secure a 2-1 win over Lynnfield (0-2). Goalie Emily Helming scooped up 18 saves and Bianca Vecchiarello and Kristen Brao put two past Lynnfield's keeper to earn the victory.

Each team scored a first half goal as host Hamilton-Wenham and North Reading tied 1-1. The Generals (0-0-1) goal was scored by Jesse McElvain, who knocked in a corner kick from Joe Savasta. Hamilton-Wenham goalie Dan Congdon made four saves. Generals stopper Shawn Tucker and Pat Ford also played well on defense.

WEST NEWBURY | At halftime, there were more than a few puzzled expressions among the 300 fans at Pentucket on a sweltering opening day Saturday afternoon.

At the house where defensive dominance and ball-control offense are revered, there was a bona fide shootout going on between the Sachems and Hamilton-Wenham.

Jackie Rosenberg scored three goals to lead Hamilton-Wenham past Rockport 4-0. Brianna Pomeroy also scored for the Generals.

Last year's record: 8-8-2

Coach: Jim Burfoot (1st year)

Returning starters: Cassie Penta, sr, sweeper; Vanessa Vitale, Sr. midfield-forward; Paige Durgin, Sr. midfield-forward; Candice Dargorna, Sr. midfield-forward; Emily Helming; sr, keeper.

After back-to-back 6-5 seasons, the Hamilton-Wenham Regional football team improved to 7-3 last season under first-year head coach Andrew Morency. But the Generals fell just short in their goal of winning the Cape Ann Small League title and earning a spot in the state playoffs.

Last year's record: 4-6-6

Coach: Matt Gauron (6th season)

Returning players: Jon Britton, Jr., Mid; Niles Batchelder, Sr., Mid; Stan Castro, Jr., Def.; Dan Congdon, Jr., GK, Trey Denton, Jr., Mid; Pat Ford, Sr., Def.; Ian McCracken, Jr., Mid.; Jesse McElvain, Sr., F; Shaun Tucker, Jr., Def.; Marcus Hanna, Sr., Mid/F; Ryan Hanna, Sr., Def; Joe Savasta, Jr., F; Devon Pierro, Sr., F.

Last year's record: 4-12-3

Coach: Jennifer Regan (1st season)

Returning starters: Brittany Clarke, Carley Elder, Emmie Katz.

Strengths: There are about 10 or 11 seniors that are returning.

HAMILTON | It's impossible to overstate how much it means to a team to be on the verge of winning a championship, and then to have potential disaster lurking around the corner.

Ipswich High was in that precarious position yesterday against a remarkably resilient and fired-up Hamilton-Wenham team. The Tigers were five seconds away from a victory that would have propelled them to the postseason. They were also five seconds away from an upset loss that would've soured their entire season.

AMESBURY -- The Hamilton-Wenham passing game has grabbed all the headlines this season, but it was the Generals power running game which spelled disaster for Amesbury last night as the Indians fell, 13-3, at a windswept Landry Stadium. The loss dropped the Indians to 3-3 and put them in a major hole in the CAL Small race with a 1-1 mark. H-W improved to 4-2 and 2-0 in the conference.