Weekly Sports Highlights - May 2, 2011

First Girls’ Tennis had two big wins this week, including a huge 4-3 decision over Taft. Westminster had not beaten the Rhinos in over a decade. It was an exciting match with a number of close contests. Especially impressive were three set wins in singles by Kathleen Gudas ’12 at No. 3 and Margaret Berry ’11 at No. 1. The Martlets had an easier time with Suffield, winning 6-1. Berry and Gudas won again in singles along with Skyy McGeachy-Campbell ’13. In doubles, the No. 1 pairing of Carolyn Zimmer ’11 and Katherine Kelter ’14 played aggressively and with confidence, winning 6-1, 6-1, while No. 2 Steph Werner ’11 and Nina Grey ’11 played a better match than they had in the last two, winning 6-3, 6-2. No. 3 doubles Libby Kelter ’12 and Hannah Leathers ’11 won their match, 6-2, 6-2.

Westminster earned two wins during the week over Taft and Suffield. Against the Rhinos, Electra Walker ’14 and Brittany Swanson ’14 were victorious in straight sets in the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions. The three doubles teams, Natalie Biedron’12 and Sayre Reimer ’13 at No. 1, Christi DeSimone ’12 and Emily Teschner ’12 at No.2, and Julie LeBlanc ’13 and Haley Lowenstein ’13 at No. 3, also won in straight sets. All Martlets won against the Tigers in a 7-0 sweep. Swanson, DeSimone, Lulu Spalding ’12, and Teschner all won their singles matches with consistent play and strong serving. Similarly, Biedron, Reimer, LeBlanc, Lowenstein, Ellie Baker ’12 and Elena Kim ’12 won in doubles by playing aggressively at the net and by making smart shots.

Third Tennis battled a spirited bunch from Renbrook School and came away with a 4-3 win. In singles action, Shelby Cranshaw ’12 , Beau Orchard ’13, Louise Marenakos ’11, and Kaleigh Kelley ’11 all won their matches to secure the victory for the Martlets.

On a beautiful day at Farmington Woods Country Club, the First Golf team was able to come out on top in a three-team contest with Avon Old Farms and Hopkins. The final scores were Westminster (211), AOF (217) and Hopkins (240). The Martlets were led by tournament co-medalists Nathalie Filler ’12 and Jack Rubino ’13, who both shot 41. Other Westminster scores included Eliza Breed,’11 (42), Max O'Connor,’11 (43), David Hallisey ’13 (44), and Harry Richards ’11 (46).

Westminster improved to 4-0 in the Founders League with a gritty, exciting 9-8 double overtime win against a talented team from Avon Old Farms. Westminster was down 3-2 and increased its lead to 5-2, but Michael LeBlanc ’12 snuck behind the defense for a nice finish from the crease on a feed from Brad Woodruff ’11 to get the Martlets going in the second half. Avon held its lead for most of the half, but the Martlets kept fighting. Woodruff, Laszkiewicz and Andy Dines ’12 kept pressuring the cage as the Black and Gold chipped away at the lead. Dines tied the game at eight with 1:40 left. Luke Laszkiewicz ’11 hit the game winner off of a feed from Nick Thompson ’11.

Westminster improved to 2-5 for the season with a 7-6 win over the visiting Eaglebrook squad. Max Langlois ’13 started the scoring for Westminster. Two minutes later Sam Pope ’12 added his fourth goal of the season. Greg Lafaire ’11, Pierce Cote ’14 and Tyler Mink ’11 led the black and gold pressure on the defensive end of the field to keep Eaglebrook at bay for most of the first quarter. Ben Shively ’14 added two goals in the second quarter to give Westminster a 4-3 lead at the half. Westminster tallied two goals in the third quarter, while Eaglebrook countered with three to tie the game at 6-6 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter was marked with physical play and a number of transition chances for both teams, but it was John Pappas ’14 who scored for the win.

The Martlets earned a big 3-2 win over Kingswood Oxford’s junior varsity squad. Greg Jarvis ’13 and Elliot Gilford ’11scored in the first half to give Westminster a 2-1 lead going into the break. After KO tied the game in the third, the Martlets were able to get the go-ahead goal on a man-up situation when Jarivs fed Charlie Niles ’14 for the score.

Third Girls’ Lacrosse had two good wins this week. First, they defeated Choate 14-9 in a come-from-behind win. Gabi Foti ’14 got Westminster up and running, scoring the first goal of the second half off a draw control, and after that, the whole team rallied with a strong passing game, smart double teams and some beautiful give and goes. Cricket di Galoma ’14 was on fire in front of the net racking up six goals before the final whistle. Against Loomis, the Martlets got out front early and never let up, ultimately winning 15-5. Again, di Galoma led in scoring with five goals and both Kayla Foley ’13 and Emily Mell ’14 earned a hat trick.

After a decisive 17-1 win over Gunnery, the Martlets found themselves in a pitcher’s duel with Millbrook. Westminster was the eventual winner 2-1. Brittany Sutton ’11 struck out 13 batters and Alli Devins ’13, Rachel Farrel ’11, Michela Gozzi ’13 and Rachel Monroe ’14 made key plays defensively to lead the Martlets to their ninth consecutive win. Sutton and Amanda Boulier ’11 each had two base hits for Westminster, and Jordan Gowdy ’14 caught a fine game.

The First Boys’ tennis team defeated Williston on Saturday by a 7-0 margin. The boys got off to a quick start by sweeping all three doubles matches. The singles matches followed with Chris Conzelmann ’13 winning 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1; Sandro Giacometti ’12 was victorious by a 6-1, 6-1 score at No. 2; and Tim Welles ’11 won handily 6-1, 6-3 at No. 3. Robbie Hamblett ’11 defeated his opponent at No. 4, 6-1, 6-1; Cam Kurtz ’12 won 6-4, 6-0 at No. 5; and Andrew Fu ’11 completed the shutout, winning 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6.

Westminster defeated Canterbury Saturday 7-0. All three doubles teams won 8-2, and two exhibition doubles won as well. In singles, every player won in straight sets. John Vantine ’13 and Harry Ganek ’14 played particularly well, both winning 6-1, 6-1.