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Fall Sports Highlights 11.5.18

First Boys’ Cross-Country
Nov. 3: First Boys’ Cross-Country — Founders League Tournament
Another Saturday, another deluge. Thankfully, the spigot shut off and the sun came out by race time, but the ground was saturated and the wind was howling for the Founders League championship at Taft School. The Martlets face stiff Division I competition at this meet each year, but the team knew that its hard work over the preceding year would allow the boys to compete in this fast field. At the mile, the top runner from Taft was blazing ahead by over 15 seconds, but he was run down by the lead pack of four runners by the halfway mark. Emmett de Kanter ’19 was in that pack, vying back and forth with athletes against whom he has competed for years. He ended up fourth in a solid sub-17 minute run on this difficult course. Kieran Haug ’21 was the Second team finisher, running a smart race from beginning to end; he did not have anything left to sprint but was ahead of a large pack of Hotchkiss runners. Daniel Pinckney ’20 and Justin Schuster ’19 did, however, have some gas in the tank, and they each passed three or four runners in the final 100 yards to take 12th and 13th, right behind Kieran’s 11th place overall. These four runners, by finishing in the top 15, earned All-Founders honors; that is a first for Westminster to have four earn that honor in one meet. Elliott Kennard ’19 was the last scoring runner at 28th overall, and he, Will Rizzo ’21 (31st) and Alex Ellis ’20 (41st) left it all-out on this challenging course in a field of 63 varsity runners. Pinckney and Ellis had season best runs. The team’s efforts earned third place of nine teams (68 points) behind champion Loomis Chaffee (39) and Hotchkiss (58) and ahead of Choate (89), Taft (98), Avon Old Farms (177), Kent (197), T-P (223) and K-O (249).
 
In the JV race, the field was huge, as the large schools in the Founders League bring 40 or more runners for this race. Brendan Greene ’20 stepped up as the top Westminster runner in this race, besting his season best time by over 90 seconds and finishing 35th overall. He was closely followed by Spencer Kwan ’22, Nate Chaves ’19, Kellen Seeley ’22 and Raymond Liu ’22, all of whom ran lifetime bests (and a few dropped over a minute). The two displacers for Westminster were Grant Pietri ’22 and James Beit ’22; the Third Formers as a group could grow into the core of Westminster’s XC future. The JV group finished seventh of nine teams.
 
 
First Girls’ Cross-Country
Nov. 3: First Girls’ Cross-Country — Founders League Tournament
The Martlets traveled to Watertown for the Founder's League Championship on a windy day to run on Taft's water-logged course. Due to injuries, only eight girls were healthy enough to run but the Martlets showed great grit and finished fifth out of nine teams, one of their best showings in many years. Two runners earned all-Founder's honors, Annabelle Smith '21 placing fourth and Miranda Douglass '21 placing 10th. Olivia Goldstuck '21 finished just out of the top 20 and Bella Tawney '22 followed, with Tawney earning yet another personal best. Perhaps most impressively, Maggie Chaves '19 fought through a nagging injury and persevered to grab the all-important fifth scoring spot for the team. It was clear Chaves was running in pain but she was committed to competing for her team and pushed herself to the finish line, holding off a charging Kent runner. Taylor Hill '22 and Martina Daniele '19 rounded out the seven varsity runners. It was a challenging day to run with significant headwinds and super sloppy footing. While Westminster might have had a small squad, the team showed big heart from start to finish.
 
Field Hockey - First Girls'
Oct. 30: Field Hockey - First Girls’ 0 vs. Greenwich Academy 3
Westminster made the long trip to Greenwich and played superbly. The Martlets outshot Greenwich but their finishing was superior. Fantastic step up from the young players who are learning more and more about competing and leading every day. The coaches are very proud of the girls.
 
Oct. 31: Field Hockey - First Girls’ 0 vs. Taft School 0
Westminster hosted Taft and played out of its skins. Outshooting Taft 16 to three and with a corners total of 14 to one, it was hard to imagine the Martlets could have played a lot better. However, Westminster just struggled, again, to capitalize on great momentum. More great performances from Shannon Keefe '19 and Marissa Halkett '19 who ran the show in the center. Superb developments, once again, from the young girls who are really developing their ability to force a game to a positive conclusion. It was a very frustrating game to watch from a scoring perspective, but it was also an incredible performance in terms of possession, territory and passing.
 
Nov. 3: Field Hockey - First Girls’ 4 vs. Berkshire School 1
Westminster traveled to Berkshire on a cold and windy day. The Martlets again played great field hockey, and it looked like the team might struggle to finish the ball. However, Westminster clicked up front and scored four nice goals to Berkshire's one. Claire Taylor '21 scored twice, Casey Winslow '21 once and Gemma Green '21 once. Both Winslow and Green's goals were classic sweeps from nice crosses, and Taylor's two goals showed great skill and composure. The coaches are delighted to see the young players really finding their leadership and finishing power. These are great signs for the future with only one Sixth Former, Marissa Halkett '19, starting. Halkett played superbly, running the midfield as she has done all season.
 
Field Hockey - Second Girls'
Oct. 31: Field Hockey - Second Girls’ 0 vs. Taft School 2
Westminster honored the Sixth Formers Oct. 31 for their contributions to the program: Liz Murphy, Eliza Polukhin, Sarah Levine, Sofia Kuusisto and Layla Ennis. Each Sixth Former played a stellar game and brought incredible energy for their last field hockey game on Hovey field. Defense efforts were led by Kyani Jemmotte '20, who played unbelievable in the cage for Westminster, facing numerous shots in one play.
 
Nov. 3: Field Hockey - Second Girls’ 1 vs. Berkshire School 3
The Martlets faced a determined and quick Berkshire squad. Berkshire opened up the scoring early in the first half. After halftime, the Martlets fought to get on the board and found success with a beautiful feed from Jenna Kosior '21 to Abby Moss '20 who sent it home. Ultimately, two more goals from Berkshire sealed the fate of the game. Kyani Jemmotte '20 played an excellent game in cage. 
 
Field Hockey - Third Girls'
Nov. 1: Field Hockey - Third Girls’ 1 vs. Rumsey Hall School 1
The Martlets faced Rumsey Nov. 1 to close out their season. Eliza Breen '22 scored late in the first half to energize the Westminster player to give them momentum going into the second half. They dominated play for most of the second half thanks to strong midfield play from Callista Adorno '22, Mary Dutton '20, Simonne Ponce '21 and Ellie Suit '20. But in the final two minutes of the game, Rumsey got a penalty corner and was able to sneak the ball to the back of the cage. With just over a minute left in the game, the Martlets fought hard, but were unable to break the tie.
 
Soccer - First Girls'
Oct. 31: Soccer - First Girls’ 0 vs. Taft School 7
Westminster First Girls' Soccer traveled to Watertown, Connecticut to play the rhinos of Taft. The Martlets were ready and put on the pressure from the first whistle, maintaining possession and finding holes in the Taft defense to challenge the Taft goalie. However, despite this, Taft found the net first, nine minutes into the first half. This first goal was followed by five more in the first half and another in the second. The result of this game was not due to a lack of effort, grit, and determination from the Westminster squad. Rather, some lapses in defense on the field left Westminster scoreless for the duration of the game.
 
Nov. 3: Soccer - First Girls’ 1 vs. Berkshire School 0
Westminster First Girls’ Soccer traveled to Sheffield, Massachusetts to take on the Berkshire Bears in the final away contest of the season. The Martlets dominated the entire game, dictating the pace of play and outshooting the home team each half. The muddy field conditions could have made for serious issues in the possession game, but Westminster maintained control and kept composure, playing with grit and grace as the white uniforms and socks turned brown and soaked with each smart tackle. The Martlets put the pressure on the Berkshire keeper, who turned in a fantastic game, and the game remained 0-0 until there was 4:19 left to play in the game. Captain Georgia Swank ‘19 was tackled in the box but was told to play on — that was when Westminster’s Ella Varano ‘21 converted the loose ball to a cross across the six-yard box to find Solveig Nycander ‘20 who volleyed it into the net for the lone goal of the game. This game was one of determination, teamwork and grit, and Westminster came out on top.
 
Soccer - First Boys'
Oct. 31: Soccer - First Boys' 0 vs. Hotchkiss School 0
Westminster would make the long trip out to Hotchkiss for a 0-0 tie. Both teams had chances throughout the game but would settle for the tie. The team wrench would pass to Will Lynch '20 who would step into the lineup and play a big part for the first time this season. Nathan Costantino '19 would be selected as player of the game for Westminster by the Hotchkiss staff. Peyton Knauf '19 would finish the game with a solid five saves including one low driven ball in the final minutes.
 
Nov. 3: Soccer - First Boys’ 0 vs. Berkshire School 6
The Martlets took to the road to face an undefeated Berkshire squad. The game would be 2-0 at half. Westminster was able to gain a little momentum early in the second but was denied. Berkshire would jump up 3-0 and all the Martlets would get some playing time. Lucas Wahlberg '21 would take to the net for the first time in two weeks after illness and have a solid eight save game. The team wrench would be given to Nate Pane '19 who had to work hard marking Berkshire’s top player.
 
Soccer - Second Girls'
Oct. 31: Soccer - Second Girls’ 1 vs. Taft School 1
The girls jumped out to an early lead on the road when Susie Mahoney '20 got behind the Rhino defense in the fourth minute. Her breakaway was thwarted initially, but she maintained her poise and got the ball into the side netting for a 1-0 lead. Mahoney and Cecilia Raymond '20 would be sent behind the defense several more times in the first half, but either the angle wasn't right or the swift Taft defenders would recover in time to keep the Martlets from increasing their margin. The Rhinos also found their own opportunities to be dangerous, launching half a dozen long shots that missed the target and several more that were handled by netminder Lili Birrell '22. Despite the many threats on both goals, Mahoney's early tally would be the only one of the first half. The second half had a very similar feel, with both defenses getting tested a bunch of times. Midway through, the hosts capitalized on a short goal kick, taking a quick, long blast that buzzed in over Birrell's outstretched arms to knot the score. As in the first half, much end-to-end action would produce no more scoring, resulting in a tie that was not unfair, but probably left both sides rueful, each having rattled the woodwork with what could have been a game-winner. The shout out for the day goes to Campbell Swift '21, who frequently disrupted Rhino attacks before they developed into chances on goal.
 
Nov. 3: Soccer - Second Girls’ 3 vs. Berkshire School 0
On a cold and blustery Saturday, Second Girls’ Soccer traveled to Berkshire to take on the Bears on a muddy and messy field. The Martlets took an early lead when Molly Rubin ‘22 took a shot that deflected off a defender into the net in the fourth minute of the game. Despite keeping the ball in the offensive half of the field for the majority of the time until halftime, the girls were not able to put one past the keeper. The Bears continued to thwart the Martlets in the second half, until the 67th minute when Susie Mahoney ‘20 got behind the back line and converted on a breakaway. Just two minutes later, Lauren Way ‘20 sent Cecilia Raymond ’20 through for another one-on-one with the keeper, which Raymond neatly converted into a goal. Several more chances would be generated, but the game would finish with a win of 3-0. The girls welcomed back two co-captains in their return to action, Tori Kline ’19 and Audrey Froelich ’19, both playing at center midfield.
 
Soccer - Second Boys'
Oct. 31: Soccer - Second Boys’ 0 vs. Hotchkiss School 4
Second Boys’ Soccer suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to Hotchkiss School Oct. 31. The score line does not do the Westminster team’s first half performance justice with the team controlling much of the field and testing the Hotchkiss keeper. Charlie Moses ‘21 had his best game to date with some industrious runs and a number of dangerous passes. Moses’ willingness to work for the team was unlucky to not be rewarded with a goal. Greyson Pane ’22 made an effective cameo as striker. Westminster looked dangerous on the ball but paid dearly for lapses in concentration. The effort was strong throughout and the team was unlucky to not take something from the game.
 
Nov. 3: Soccer - Second Boys’ 1 vs. Berkshire School 2
Second Boys' Soccer almost came away from Berkshire with a good win on the road but for a penalty and a quick free kick. Greyson Pane '22 put Westminster ahead early in the first half after he didn't give up on his run and pressured the keeper into a mistake. Pane's work rate keeps him in good positions around the field and enables him to be a reliable option for his team. Jonah Prentiss '22 once again excelled in defense. He was on the wrong end of some heavy challenges but kept working hard and never shied away from a challenge. Finn Gerry '20 started the game and repaid the coaches' faith in him with some excellent work up front. Gerry worked hard for the team and never let the Berkshire defenders have an easy pass. The game itself saw Westminster doing most of the attacking work while Berkshire rarely tested Westminster’s goal. The boys stayed in the game right until the end and were unlucky to not come away with a positive result for the record books.
 
Soccer - Third Girls'
Oct. 31: Soccer - Third Girls’ 1 vs. Indian Mountain School 5
A long trip to Indian Mountain School resulted in a 5-1 loss. The field conditions created a sloppy, muddy, mess, which slowed the game down for both teams and caused many players to collide or fall in the mud. It was a fun experience for the team, and Alex Buerck '21 made a great pass to Alex Wolf '19 who scored the lone goal in the second half. Caroline McDermott '20 and India Lalor '21 played solid defense in the contest.
 
Soccer - Third Boys'
Oct. 31: Soccer - Third Boys' 0 vs. Hotchkiss School 3
On a windy afternoon in Connecticut's northwest corner, the Martlets lost to a talented Hotchkiss squad. The first half was tight. Despite an impressive goal by Hotchkiss' talented striker, Westminster showed some speed and toughness, putting a lot of pressure on their backs, thus keeping the game relatively even. The second half was more of the same, but Hotchkiss eventually scored on a misplayed ball, going up by two. Their third goal occurred after a handball (penalty kick) in the box. The Martlets showed much grit during the last 20 minutes of play as they were led by the outright hustle of striker Drew Brownback '19 and defender William Scott '20. For those two, Hotchkiss really didn't have any answers.
 
Nov. 3: Soccer - Third Boys’ 5 vs. Wilbraham & Monson Academy 1
On Saturday afternoon, Westminster's committee of strikers proved too much for the Wilbraham defense. Eugene Kim '19, who finished the day with a hat trick (his seventh, eighth and ninth goals of the season) opened up the day's scoring with an easy goal in the box, assisted by William Mazzaro '21. Nate Swift '19 soon followed with a one-on-one move in the corner, resulting in a nonchalant goal of his own, his third this fall. But neither Swift or Kim were finished as they paired up with a nice through ball from Swift that resulted in a breakaway and finish for Kim. In the second half, the onslaught continued when Kim netted another off a rebound out of the box. Finally getting in on the action was Eddie Shin '21, whose reputation as a skilled attacker finally culminated in his first goal of the season when he broke through Wilbraham's defense, turned on the jets, and put one past the Wilbraham keeper. All of this couldn't have happened without an absolute team effort. The Martlets received strong efforts all over the field, particularly from defenders Harry Stevenson '20 and Roman Mitchell '20, strikers Zach Eckerson '21 and Drew Brownback '19, and goalkeeper Cam Jury '19.
 
Soccer - Fourth Boys'
Oct. 31: Soccer - Fourth Boys’ 0 vs. Rumsey Hall School 1
On a beautiful autumn day on Williams Hill, the boys battled a talented group of Blue Dogs from Rumsey Hall. Although the dogs controlled the ball for most of the game, this was a scoreless battle until the final three minutes. A speedy Blue Dog beat the Martlet defense and scored the only goal of the game. This was the toughest battle of the season. Almost all of the boys played their best game. Ben Mihailovich ‘22. had a one timer that beat the keeper and deflected off the left bar of the goal. Quinn Plumb ‘21 had a chance and the Blue Dog keeper made a spectacular save. Although Westminster lost 1-0, the boys should feel good about the way they played.
 
Nov. 1: Soccer - Fourth Boys’ 2 vs. Suffield Academy 1 (suspended)
On a warm autumn evening, the boys traveled to Suffield to play the Tigers for the second time in less than seven days. This was a tight battle. Bennett Ostern '21 was outstanding in goal for Westminster and the game was scoreless at the break. In the 60th minute, the ball bounced around in the mixer and the Tigers slipped it in for a 1-0 lead. Matthew Westlake '22 and Alex Tonioni '22 led the Martlet defense until Peter Miller '22 found his buddy Ben Mihailovich '22. Mihailovich put it past the Tiger keeper and the game was tied. With less than two minutes left, Baker Morton '22 played a crossing ball that ended up on the left foot of Brian Opdenaker '21. Opdenaker was at what appeared to be an impossible angle. But his magical left foot came through and the Martlets had the lead 2-1. The game then ended early.
 
Nov. 3: Soccer - Fourth Boys’ 2 vs. Salisbury School 1
The gales of November came early to Williams Hill, as the boys battled a formidable group of Knights from Western Connecticut. Salisbury scored late in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into the break. Westminster answered when Max Hong '22 found Newt Cutler '22 and Cutler put it past the Knight keeper. While the game remain tied throughout the second half, Westminster had many chances. With just 40 seconds left Baker Morton '22 served a spectacular corner kick in front of the goal and it found the foot of Quinn Plumb '21. Once again, the ‘Plumber’ came through. Thirty seconds later, when the final whistle blew, the Martlets soared to a 2-1 victory. Bennett Ostern '21 was a stone wall in goal for the first half. Peter Barrett '22 and Cooper Organ '21 provided the stone wall on defense and held the Knights off for most of the half. The second half began with great pressure by the Martlets. Brian Opdenaker '21 had several crossing passes that just missed the feet of the footless birds. Kade Smith '22 controlled the center of the field and played his best game as a Martlet. Finally, the Westminster pressure proved too much for the Knights and the team surrendered. Morton missed an open net late in the game. He made up for it with a bending corner kick that went through the mixer and ended up on the right foot of Plumb. Plumb put it home and the crowd erupted.
 
Water Polo - First Boys'
Nov. 3: Water Polo - First Boys’ 5 vs. Hopkins School 15
Fast, strong and aggressive, Hopkins pulled into the lead in the first minute of play with some outside strikes that caught Westminster off-guard. Showing impressive resilience, the Martlets hung around and continued to fight for positioning and possession. They maintained the shot clock better than in any game this season, gaining a shot on many possessions. Layton Harmon ‘21 opened the scoring for the Martlets, and followed with three additional goals to earn four on the day. He placed a skip shot into the top corner, catching the goalie by surprise. Jeremy Hopsicker ‘22 earned at least one goal in every game this season, and continued this trend against Hopkins, scoring late in the game. Shane Wahlberg ‘19 finished out his first season of water polo, and his leadership and goaltending will be missed next fall.
 
In this, the final game of their first season, the Martlets looked like a much more organized, capable and experienced squad than in early September. Looking at a postseason bid, Hopkins, like many other teams this group faced this season, is one of the top teams in New England. Though difficult to compete consistently against teams of this caliber, the experience gained through these matches will be invaluable next fall.
 
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