Sports Highlights 10.26.15

 

First Field Hockey won both of its contests last week, scoring 11 goals and giving up none in back-to-back road games. On Wednesday, the Martlets shook off a lethargic start to grab a 1-0 lead 17 minutes into the game. Eliza Mell '16 scored the important first goal, assisted by Maddy Paro '17, to put Westminster on top. Westminster held the narrow lead heading into the second half. Martlet forwards Sarah Melanson '16, Emma Stevens '16, Sarah Migliori '16 and Maggie Kelly '18, along with Midfielders Catherine Crawley '16, Kendall Brown '17, Emma Lange '18 and Lilly Holmes '18, were dogged to keep the ball up front and away from their end of the field. The defense of Paro, Mell, Ashley Carbone '16, Madie Bologa '17 and Ashlee White '18 had some terrific team efforts to back-check and break the ball out of the zone. Bologa had a big-time stop on one of Deerfield's corners to hold onto the lead. Leah Klassen '17 was stellar in goal - she's now given up only four goals in the last seven games! Paro iced the game with an authoritative goal in the second and the girls ended up with a solid 2-0 victory.

 

On Saturday, the black and gold came out fired up against Kingswood Oxford and didn't let up for the entirety of the match. The girls took a 2-0 lead into halftime and then exploded for seven more goals in the second to win 9-0. Goalie Leah Klassen '17 and the Martlet defense was stout once again, shutting out the Wyverns with stifling defensive pressure – the unit has not given up just four goals in its last eight games. Goal scorers on the day were Stevens (3), Crawley, Paro, Kelly, Shannon Keefe '19, Lange and Melanson.

 

Coming off of its first loss of the season, Westminster's First Football team bounced back in a big way on Saturday to play its best game of the season so far in front of a Parents’ Weekend crowd at The Gunnery School. The team saw stellar performances across the board, putting up 56 points on offense while giving up only a single touchdown on defense to win 57-6. Greg Livingston '17 had a monster day, with four touchdown passes, and Delando Clarke '17 added three touchdowns of his own. On the defensive side, Chaz Ruffin '16 kept the pressure on with a blocked punt and three sacks, and Conor Brennan '17 forced a fumbled and had three special teams tackles.

 

 

Katherine Eckerson ’17 continued her recent hot streak with two more goals to help put the Martlets over Suffield on Wednesday. Jacqui Richard ’16 also scored in the 3-0 win. The Martlets had other scoring chances, especially in the second half, but could not finish. On the defensive end, the girls were on their game, closing in on loose balls and forcing turnovers in big spots. 

 

The Martlets were tested on Wednesday against a skilled and physical side from Trinity-Pawling. Westminster once again played their possession game with good success all afternoon, but the boys were vulnerable on the counterattack from TP's speedy strikers. Alex Gadowski '18 was a wall in the goal, with several great diving saves to preserve the shutout. 25 minutes into the game, Mac McCormick '16 stripped the ball from a Pride defender deep in the corner and dribbled to the edge of the 6-yard box, shooting far post for the only score of the game. The boys continued their relentless attack in the second half, which culminated in great shots on goal from Emiliano Serna '18, Tyler Rome '16, Riley Wood '19 and Paul McNamara '18. Myles Hamm '17 combined with Connor Seeley '18, Max Powers '17, and Chanler Miller '18 to contain the fast break with the help of midfielders Chris Swanson '17, Lukas Dudzik '19, Jeronimo Serna '18 and Wick Carter '19. A nice win for Westminster!

 

 

Second Girls’ Soccer traveled to West Hartford for a game against the Kingswood Oxford Wyverns on Saturday afternoon and made it back to the Hill with a 2-0 victory. Westminster's defense once again came up big against a fast-paced K.O. offense, as the girls were able to shut out the home team in the win. Becca Gavel '18 and Emily Burstein ’17 scored unassisted goals to give the Martlets the deciding 2-0 lead.

 

Third Girls' Soccer had another strong outing on Wednesday afternoon, as the young squad topped the Bearcats from Hotchkiss 2-0. The team played their best game of the season in front of a home crowd on Hovey Field. The Martlets controlled the ball well and made smart passes to find open teammates and put pressure on the Hotchkiss defense. Westminster's defense was aggressive and relentless, closing down open shots and passing lanes. Kate Lovas '18 and Indira Marzbani '18 scored the Martlet goals, but every player contributed to the impressive win.