Fall Sports Highlights 10.29.18

Westminster started the game off on its heels. As the first half progressed, players began connecting and finding opportunities in the circle. Suffield's keeper was relentless in goal and the Martlets could not find the back of the cage in the first half. Westminster came out flying in the second half, peppering the keeper with shots and earning numerous penalty corners. At the 17-minute mark, Abby Moss '20 connected with Liz Murphy '19 who sent a hard shot into the goal. Shortly after, Eliza Polukhin '19 had a beautiful reverse tip off of a strong shot towards cage from Mary Dutton '20.

 

The Martlets returned from fall break straight into a home match against the neighbors to the north — the tigers from Suffield Academy. Ready to compete on its home field, Westminster looked prepared for the fight, but just 35 seconds into the half, Suffield countered and found the Martlet net, catching the Westminster squad a bit off guard. Westminster was not phased, however, and immediately put the pressure on to answer back. Captain Georgia Swank '19 sent a ball to the sideline to outside midfielder Taylor Adams '20 who dribbled to the end line to cross and find opposite outside midfielder Eve Cathcart '20 for a beautiful one-time finish. The Martlets found themselves tied for much of the first half, but two late goals put the visiting team ahead by two goals at half. With an adjusted formation and hunger to equalize, the Martlets took to the field in the second half, but Suffield capitalized on an unlucky Westminster mishap and a penalty kick to take the game by four goals.

 

 

Westminster went on the road to face top three New England team Loomis. The first half saw neither team getting on the board. The home team came out and scored three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Chasing the game the Martlets would let another two in for a 5-0 final. The team wrench would be passed to Riley Wood '19. Player of the game for Westminster would be Nathan Costantino '19. Peyton Knauf '19 would finish the game with nine solid saves.

 

Westminster took the off day ride out to Canterbury ahead of the Nor'easter coming during the weekend. Westminster would open the scoring off a well-placed chip shot over the goalie from Nathan Costantino '19. Westminster would struggle to penetrate the defensive wall that Canterbury kept organized throughout the game. The Canterbury goalie would finish the game with a solid nine save game. The Westminster team wrench would be handed out to Sean Clarke '19. Peyton Knauf ’19 finished the game for the Martlets with one save. The player of the game would go to Costantino for the Martlets.

 

The intrepid lads of Second Boys’ Soccer traveled to Loomis Chaffee on Oct. 24, looking to continue what has been a strong run of form. The opening minutes proved that Loomis would be up to the challenge as a defensive miscommunication by the Martlets gave Loomis an early lead. Not to be denied, the Martlets continued to press, with opportunities coming from Henry Mitrano ’19 and Peter Sanger ’21. The Loomis defense proved up to the task however and the Martlets were held scoreless going into the half. The Martlets continued their industrious efforts but were sucker punched again by a defensive lapse and Loomis added a second to its lead. The Martlets would fight hard until the end but came up empty. Regardless of the result, Jonah Prentiss ‘22 and Darion Benchich ‘20 in the center of defense, Khalil Walker ‘19 on the right flank and Wylie Clarke ‘21 on the middle of the park had good individual performances.

 

 

Third Girls’ Soccer travelled to MPS to play on its turf field. Both teams had multiple shots on goal, but MPS prevailed with one more goal during the second half to win 3-2. Alex Wolf '19 started the scoring with a beautiful assist from Siena Holowesko '21. Later in the game Alex Buerck '21 scored on an assist from Mairead DeFronzo '20 off several passes of a corner kick. The defense continued to play well and kept the team in the game through the final minutes.

 

In one of the team's best games of the season, Westminster was able to stay neck and neck with a physical and talented Suffield JV squad, ending with a 2-1 loss. The team led 1-0 at the half thanks to a goal from Mae Cilmi '22 with an Alex Buerck '21 assist. The team rose to the occasion, considering no Sixth Formers were present at the game. Annie Brewer '21 played a spectacular game as goalie and the defense continued to play consistent ball. All the players cannot be mentioned here, but this was a dramatic and excellent effort of grit and grace from this team.

 

On a cold, blustery afternoon, Westminster's seesaw season continued with a solid performance against Suffield Academy. The Martlets started strong, ricocheting two shots off the crossbar before Eugene Kim '19, in the center of a scrum, put one in for good. In the second half, Kim struck again, this time assisted by Drew Brownback '19, who dominated the field with his speed and meticulous crosses. The goals were Kim's fifth and sixth of the season. Suffield stole a point back halfway through the second but not before Martlet midfielder Brad Donegan '20 floated a ball from the corner over the goalkeeper's head, ensuring the victory. The latter was Donegan's first goal of the season. The home team received other standout performances from midfielders Ian Lee '21, William Mazzaro '21 and Rex Flinn '21, and from defenders Jackson Schopp '19, William Scott '20 and Kendrick Freeman '21.

 

On a chilly autumn day in northern Connecticut, the boys traveled to West Hartford to take on a young and highly skilled team from Renbrook School. Although Westminster controlled the ball throughout, the game remained scoreless until the final 90 seconds. Max Hong ‘22 fired a rocket ball past the Renbrook keeper to seal the victory. During the first 68 minutes, Brian Opdenaker ‘21, William Mell ‘21 and Peter Miller ‘22 had many chances. While the game of soccer looks easy when watching on TV, placing the ball on the sweet spot of the foot in the heat of the moment is a bit more challenging than it appears. The boys kept the pressure on Renbrook throughout the game. In the 68th minute, Baker Morton ‘22 played a beautiful flag ball to Ben Mihailovich ‘22. Mihailovich served a crosser to Niclas Swahn ‘22. Swahn had his shot deflect to Opdenaker. Opdenaker touched the ball back to Swahn who left an exquisite drop pass for Hong. Hong had a one-time rocket into the upper right corner of the goal. The bench erupted and the Martlets had a victory when the final whistle blew.

 

On a chilly autumn night, the boys traveled to Suffield to play on the turf and under the lights. The ball moves quickly on the turf and it took a little while for Westminster to figure out how to play its game. Alex Unruh ‘22 began the game in the net and had several good saves in the first half. Peter Barrett ‘22 had his best game as a Martlet on defense. Barrett stopped several Tiger chances. Midway through the first half, Suffield turned one of its chances into a goal. The half ended with Suffield ahead 1-0. Jack Schroeder ‘22 took over in goal for the second half. He was spectacular, including taking one right off of his nose late in the game. Westminster had much better pressure in the second half. Although the Martlets controlled the ball, it was Suffield once again who scored in the 43rd minute. The Tigers held 2-0 lead and things looked dire for the boys. Westminster knew that its relentless offensive pressure would eventually pay off. And it did. Peter Miller ‘22 had an open shot from just outside the box. The keeper was able to deflect it, but his deflection hit the right foot of Newt Cutler ‘22. Cutler put it home and the score was 2-1. Ten minutes later, Will Mell ‘21 crossed a ball into the mixer in front of the net. Brian Opdenaker ‘21 found the ball on his left foot and the score was tied 2-2. The energy of Westminster then took over for the final 10 minutes. In the 65th minute, Quinn Plumb ‘21 played a ball into space and to a speedy Unruh. Unruh beat a defender and then put the game winner passed the Suffield keeper. While not as sweet as a World Series victory, the boys were pretty excited when the final whistle blew.

 

We won! The Martlets won their first water polo match ever on Oct. 24 against a talented Eaglebrook team at Eaglebrook. Westminster has battled through very challenging opponents and competed with physical and skilled opponents. Though Eaglebrook was not quite as physical as some other teams seen this fall, it was organized and structured, something that worked in its favor for the majority of the game. With a 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, Eaglebrook was in control of much of the play in the water. Westminster stumbled a few times, leaving open players in tight on Shane Wahlberg ’19 and giving up some fast breaks early in the game. Jeremy Hopsicker ‘22 scored the two Westminster goals to open the game, and he followed with five more for his team, earning seven tallies on the day. Westminster was undeterred and played a better second quarter, keeping Eaglebrook off the board. Owen Murphy ‘22 scored to even the game at three heading into the second half. Unfortunately, Westminster slowed a bit in the third, and Eaglebrook was able to pull ahead 7-5 going into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter saw Westminster steadily chip away at Eaglebrook with stronger defense and key shots that found the back of the net. Stronger defense and better clock and ball management allowed the Martlets to force OT, and the game was even at seven heading into the extra frames. Both teams scored in the first OT, and Eaglebrook’s goalie came up with three outstanding saves to keep the game even. Westminster stood strong on defense, allowing no shots to reach Wahlberg in OT. This was a great team effort. With 18 seconds remaining in the second OT, Westminster called timeout with possession, allowing it to set on offense. As the clock wore down, Max Larock ‘22 received the ball near the two meter and was able to net a shot past the Eaglebrook goaltender with two seconds remaining in OT. In dramatic fashion, Westminster won its first water polo match ever. It was a sloppy game at times, however, the Martlets displayed grit as they refused to go quietly even when down 7-3 early in the third quarter. Wahlberg came up with 11 saves on the day and displayed some excellent leadership between the pipes.