Fall Sports Highlights 9.16.19

Some years, the early September weather feels more like summer and sometimes more like autumn; thankfully, this year was the latter for the opening Choate Invitational scrimmage. Having only been running as a team for a week, the team uses this competition as a hard test and early benchmark on which it builds throughout the season. Coming off a few strong seasons, and graduating a number of top runners, the team is much younger than it has been for quite some time, but captain Daniel Pinckney '20, aided by returners Kieran Haug '21 and Hudson Stedman '21, has shown great leadership. This course has a flat first mile with a significant hill in the second but a great downhill final mile which provides for exciting finishes. In the veteran race, Haug led all Martlets with a 17:52, 37 seconds faster than last year at this race. Pinckney was next in 18:15, a 49-second improvement. Newcomer Oliver Fenner '22 ran a solid race in third, and returner James Beit '22 demonstrated what summer training can do, dropping six minutes from last year's mark at this race and recording a lifetime 5k best! New to XC, Zach Burelle '20 was next, looking strong in his first race. Stedman ran a smart race given he was experiencing some IT tightness, and Ral Reyes '21 improved by three minutes on last year. In the novice race, two newcomers looked especially strong: Josh Mason '23 ran a speedy 20:32 and Cooper Kistler '22 was hot on his heels in 20:44. New to XC, Rex Flinn '21 ran a very consistent race, running his first mile one second faster than his average pace and earning a spot in the top seven. Jay Henry, Hewitt Shelton, Owen Huang, Jakub McKinney and Sam Bradley were five Third Formers who all would have been second team scorers by finishing in the 8-14 positions. Will Warner ’22 also improved his lifetime best in this race, showing what a year of growth can do. Overall, the first team might have average a minute slower than last year at this time, but the second team is well over a minute faster than last year's squad, and mostly first-year students. The future is bright for the Westminster boys’ cross-country team!

 

First Girls’ Soccer took the field Saturday, Sept. 14, hosting the Hoggers from Northfield Mount Hermon in the first contest of the season. The Martlet roster consists of 14 returning players from the 2018 team and welcomes nine new players to the squad, making for an exciting mix of talent and depth for the 2019 season. At the first whistle, Westminster came out strong, playing disciplined in its defense and smart in its attack. Both teams battled throughout the first half and Westminster had numerous chances — many on or near frame — to get one in the back of the net, but the team came up unlucky in those pursuits. The battle continued and both teams played great soccer in the first 40 minutes, but NMH broke the 0-0 tie with just under five minutes left in the first half to get ahead going into halftime. Westminster played a very solid first half, but the second half proved to be more of a challenge for the squad. NMH found the net three more times in the second half to lead the Martlets by four. In true Westminster fashion, however, the Martlets continued to work and be relentless in the fight to earn a goal for themselves in this very even game. With 7:24 left on the clock, the Martlets were able to lessen the deficit as Taylor Adams '20 sent the ball over the Hogger keeper into the net.

 

Second Boys' Soccer showed moments of individual brilliance but lacked consistency against AOF. Christian Yalda '22 scored with an ambitious long-range effort which snuck in off the far post. The team is in its early stages and will need time to learn how to play together. Jonah Prentiss '22 gave his best for the team and his absence was felt when he left the field after a heavy tackle. Tommy Cramer '23 was assured in possession and always keen to play positively. When the team around him learns how to work with him, Cramer will be an even more potent player on the field. Adam Cerny '21 proved highly capable in both attack and defense, and worked well with those around him. This is a young team with a great deal of potential, and this game’s result belies the great effort the boys put out.

 

Second Girls’ Soccer opened the 2019 campaign with a 4-0 home win. Cecilia Raymond '20 accounted for all of the scoring, managing to get behind the NMH defense to run on to several very well hit services. Seven girls made their Westminster debuts, none more impressive than Lily Marvin '22, who registered the shutout in net. Although the season is young, this is a very promising group.

 

In its 2019 opener, Third Boys' Soccer traveled to Loomis Chaffee to play a close contest that was deadlocked at halftime. In the second half, the Martlets, playing off their formidable defense, finally struck first when Ben Ferrell '21 blasted one after a scrum into the top right corner. Ten minutes later, Westminster's forwards continued their nice momentum when Danny Judge '22, assisted by Charlie Crowther '21 and Finn Gerry '20, placed a well-struck ball past the Pelicans keeper, ensuring the 2-0 victory for the black and gold. Keeper Theo Vandervoorn '20 earned the shutout.

Third Girls' Soccer put forth a great effort against NMH in its opening game of the season, winning 3-0. Alex Buerck '21 scored twice and Mae Cilmi '22 put one in in the first half. The entire team worked hard in the second half to maintain possession and looked for the open person, which helped tire out its opponents. The defense, led by Sixth Formers Caroline McDermott and Brooke Nani, as well as Tatiana Restrepo '22, shut down virtually all of the scoring opportunities before they could develop. It's also worth mentioning that Jane Burke '21 and Sophia Coumantaros '21 both played goal in this game, getting the shutout.