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Winter Sports Highlights 2.3.20

Basketball - First Boys'
Jan. 29: Basketball - First Boys’ 55 vs. Salisbury School 71
Salisbury came out on fire from three, however the Martlets fought back. At one point the score was tied 22-22 after a 10-point come back. Later in the second half, Salisbury had too much depth for the Martlets. Teddy Mangiarotti ’21 had 25 points. Gabe Charleston ’21 had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Jack Devlin ’20 had two points, four rebounds and two assists. Joe Walsh ’20 and Owen Larson ’20 both played great defense the entire game. Congrats to Hunter Hoogkamp ’21 on scoring his first varsity bucket late in the second half.
 
Feb. 1: Basketball - First Boys’ 52 vs. Avon Old Farms School 68
In the big rivalry game against AOF, the Martlets played tough defense to start the game. Even though AOF was much bigger, the Martlets competed until the clock hit zeros in the second half. Teddy Mangiarotti ’21 led all scorers with 31 points. Gabe Charleston ’21 added 15 points and seven rebounds. A host of other Martlets contributed nicely, which includes captain Jack Devlin ‘20, Owen Larsen’ 20, Joe Walsh ‘20, Wylie Clarke ‘21 and Marcello Demerski ‘23. Big shoutout to Kellen Seeley ’22 for grabbing eight rebounds and drawing a charge on defense.
 
Basketball - First Girls'
Jan. 27: Basketball - First Girls’ 31 vs. Ethel Walker School 74
Westminster started well, led by the first quarter scoring of Margaret Kennedy ’22 and co-captain Bethany Winters ‘20, and found itself within striking distance after the first eight minutes. The second quarter was another story altogether. Walkers employed relentless pressure, and Westminster went into halftime down 19-42. The third quarter gave the Martlets no relief, but the team bounced back a little in the fourth but ultimately succumbed to a much superior opponent. Winters led the team in scoring; Kennedy played with improved control and vision and Bella Tawney ’22 dished out four assists and snagged 16 rebounds. 
 
Jan. 29: Basketball - First Girls’ 36 vs. Williston Northampton School 63
Westminster played hard most of the game and had some good offensive moments, but the team also had too many turnovers, too many missed open shots and too many defensive breakdowns against a tough opponent. Margaret Kennedy ’22 played the whole game and ran the offense with good control and vision. Mari Camara ’23 played great defense and scored a career-high nine points, and co-captain Bella Tawney ’22 led the team in rebounding and scored a career-high 19 points.
 
Feb. 1: Basketball - First Girls’ 25 vs. Kingswood Oxford School 66
Today's game was never really close. Westminster was outshot and outhustled for the entire game. The team fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter, bounced back a little in the second quarter, but never really matched K-O's speed, intensity and execution in the second half. Margaret Kennedy ’22 again played the entire game. Bianca D'Onofrio ’23 made her return from a two-week illness and scored a couple of baskets, and co-captain Bella Tawney ’22 again led the team in scoring and rebounding.
 
Basketball - Second Boys'
Jan. 29: Basketball - Second Boys’ 34 vs. Salisbury School 43
 
Basketball - Third Boys'
Jan. 29: Basketball - Third Boys’ 42 vs. Avon Old Farms School 31
Third Boys’ Basketball played Avon’s Thirds team Jan. 29 at home. Westminster set out with the goal to return to the fundamentals of creating and taking the best possible shots. To that end, the team got off to a roaring start, scoring nine points in the first four minutes of play, and never looked back. The Martlets held steady with their zone defense, while continuing to make baskets, eventually ending the half with 20 points on the board. The team settled into the second half, focusing on playing its best, and before team members realized it, had surpassed 30 points for the first time this season. However, they didn’t stop there, as Parker Sinclair ’23 made Westminster’s only 3-point shot, and scoring leader Mike Yang ’23 made the team’s only free throw, the remaining 19 baskets were two pointers, leading to a whopping 42 points! These fantastic numbers (with eight of our 10 players scoring at least one basket) coupled with fantastic defensive play by the team, including Sam Obeng ’22 intercepting passes in the backcourt and setting up drives of our own, set Westminster up for success. The Martlets finished up with their first win of the season at 42-31.
 
Hockey - First Boys'
Jan. 27: Hockey - First Boys’ 1 vs. Avon Old Farms School 3
Jan. 29: Hockey - First Boys’ 6 vs. Deerfield Academy 3

Feb. 1:
Hockey - First Boys’ 4 vs. Kent School 5 (OT)
For a second straight year, Westminster would play Kent even through three periods and require overtime to crown a victor. Unlike 2019, however, 2020 went to the visiting lions. Kent took advantage of a lucky bounce off the opening draw and scored just about 35 seconds in to take the early 1-0 lead. Despite the setback, Westminster outshot Kent 12-4 in the opening frame and nearly two to one in the game. The lions were able to rely heavily on their tender in this game, as the Martlets kept the pressure on. Down 4-1 with 13 minutes remaining, Westminster climbed back into the game, forcing overtime. Kent scored in OT to take the victory, but the Martlets battled hard through the final goal. Williston is up next.
 
Hockey - First Girls'
Jan. 29: Hockey - First Girls’ 0 vs. Williston Northampton School 0
Westminster took to the ice this to face off against a fast Williston team at Jackson rink. Williston held nothing back to start, forcing Mandy Busky '21 to make some big stops to keep the Martlets in it. After getting through the first 16 minutes, Westminster used the break between periods to regroup and to commit to a higher intensity in the second. Forwards Hailey Tullo '22 and Megan Rittenhouse '20 led the charge, helping Westminster to some good zone time. Jenny Guider '20 pressed the Williston defense resulting in good turnovers and some chances for the Martlets that helped level the momentum. The third period was exciting as each team could see the clock ticking down. Scoreless after three periods, the Martlets took the ice for their first overtime game of the season. There were good chances on both sides, but unfortunately Westminster took a penalty with just two minutes left. Bracing for a penalty kill, defenders Sam DeLeo '21 and Callista Adorno '22 pressed the puck in the corner, which resulted in a penalty on Williston bringing the play to four-on-four. Westminster won the face-off and fired numerous shots from the point, but they couldn't capitalize. The clock hit zero and the team walked away with the tie. It was a good lesson in the level it takes to play the top teams in the league.
 
Feb. 1: Hockey - First Girls’ 1 vs. Tabor Academy 3
Westminster headed out to Marion, Mass., to face off against top ranked Tabor Academy. The Martlets were ready from the start, taking care of the defensive zone with solid, creative breakouts. Then at the 12-minute mark Casey Winslow '21 caught a breakout pass and maneuvered around her defender. She slipped the puck to Amelia Molin '23 who was providing great center support. Molin took a few strides and sent the puck flying to a breaking Taylor Adams '20. Adams pulled away from her defender and sent a puck past the Tabor goalie far side for the 1-0 lead. For the next 10 minutes, the play was up and down the ice as each team looked to dominate. Then with just three minutes left, Tabor snuck a pass behind the Westminster defense earning a 2-on-1. They capitalized and tied it at 1-1. Just 15 seconds later, they earned possession as a forward sent a puck flying from the face-off dot, earning the 2-1 lead. The second period was scoreless, but Westminster had many chances and goalie Mandy Busky '21 made some outstanding saves to keep her team in it. Despite some incredible scrambles in front in the third period, Westminster couldn't even the score. Finally, with just one minute left, the Martlets pulled the goalie in an attempt to even the score, but Tabor stepped up on a pass in the neutral zone and sent the puck flying into the empty net with just 30 seconds left. Westminster played hard until the buzzer and should be very proud of its grit in what was a very tough and fast-paced game.
 
Hockey - Second Boys'
Jan. 29: Hockey - Second Boys' 4 vs. Williston Northampton School 2
The Seconds traveled up the old College Highway (as readers of a certain age will remember it) to Williston on a cold and sunny Wednesday in January. Williston is always a tough place to play: a smaller rink, where game changes are quick and punishing, and a Wildcat team that is always ready to play. This Wildcat team, though missing players because of illness and injury, was no exception. The Martlets limped in to town a bit as well. On the Westminster side, the story of the game was Will Rizzo’s '21 two goals, one in the first off a quick in-tight play assisted by Ryan Huntley '21, who gathered the puck behind the net and found Rizzo in front. Huntley later left the game with a lower body injury, and his skill and speed were certainly missed. Rizzo's second goal of the game came midway through the second period when he gathered a puck along the near wall — chipped out of the Martlet zone by Nate Stevens '21 — and broke through neutral ice and in on the Wildcat keeper alone before deftly tucking the puck into the net. Many kudos to the Williston goalie, who posted 45 saves for the game and in particularly flashed a terrific glove hand. The Martlets dominated the game for long stretches, with sustained play in the Wildcat end, but the Williston goalie kept his team in the game. That hard work paid off in the third period, when some sloppy play and penalty trouble led to a Williston powerplay goal at the 12-minute mark. Westminster keeper Rich Mugler '22 played well between the pipes, turning aside 18 Wildcat shots, but this seeing-eye shot found its way through a crowded slot to halve the Westminster lead. That goal energized the hosts, and they pressed hard for the equalizer which came with 2:45 minutes remaining in the game. A Williston timeout that followed that goal gave the Seconds a chance to gather themselves and regain their focus for the final minutes. The timeout worked, though not as the Wildcats intended: Oscar Ball '22 won the face-off, and a quick play by the Martlets worked the puck into the Martlet end. Good forechecking by Ball and linemates Newt Cutler '22 and Will Mazzaro '21 generated several shots, and then Mazzaro won the puck behind the Wildcat net and found Ball, who slid the puck across the high slot to Cutler, who beat the keeper cleanly under the crossbar for the game-winning goal with 1:43 on the clock. The Wildcats pulled their keeper for the final stretch, but the Black and Gold were equal to the task, playing good defense and clearing the puck when possible. With only seconds on the clock, David Harris '21 made a really smart play along the near boards before feeding a streaking Xander Cardia '21 who took the puck wide and beat the Williston defensemen before calmly passing the puck into the open net. Thus, having outshot the home team by a comfortable margin, the Martlets earned a 4-2 victory on the road. Again, good play by the defensive corps of Stevens, Jack Rockefeller '23, Keegan Bankoff '22, Rex Flinn '21 and Sawyer von Jess '22 made a big difference in controlling the game and launching the attack. Overall, a win's a win, especially on the road at Williston: the play was good at times, not as good at others.
 
Hockey - Second Girls'
Jan. 31: Hockey - Second Girls’ 9 vs. Loomis Chaffee 0
Westminster jumped out to a quick lead against Loomis when Dylan Bloom ’23 scored just over a minute into the game and Ellie Cramer ’22 followed up with a second goal less than a minute later. Mckenzie Bloom ’23 went on to add to the Martlets’ tally late in the first. Although Westminster dominated play in the second period, the score remained 3-0 heading into the third. Westminster, however, opened things up in the third with a strong team effort. The Blooms and Cramer each added a second goal in the third, with additional goals from Annabelle Smith ’21, Susie Mahoney ’20 and Claire Taylor ’21 for a final score of 9-0.
 
Squash - First Boys'
Jan. 29: Squash - First Boys’ 0 vs. Deerfield Academy 7
Jan. 29: Squash - First Boys’ 3 vs. Millbrook School 4
Feb. 1: Squash - First Boys’ 0 vs. Phillips Academy 7
Feb. 1: Squash - First Boys’ 0 vs. Belmont Hill School 7
 
Squash - First Girls'
Jan. 29: Squash - First Girls’ 2 vs. Choate Rosemary Hall 5
The Martlets played their second consecutive match against a top five New England team. Choate dominated at the top of the ladder, bringing home a 5-2 victory. At Nos. 1-4 the visitors claimed 3-0 wins despite spirited resistance from their Martlet opponents. Ellie Bailey '21 was especially valiant, playing long rallies against last year's New England runner-up at No. 1. The tide began to turn at No. 5, as Eve Cathcart '20 took her first game, before falling at 11-9 in the fourth. The remainder of the matches went to the hosts, with 3-0 wins going to Lauren Way '20 at No. 6, Gemma Green '21 at No. 7, and a 3-1 exhibition win for Shelby Oken '22.
 
Feb. 1: Squash - First Girls' 3 vs. St. Mark's School 4
In a match that was about as even as they come, the Martlets came out on the short end of a 4-3 result in the first-ever regular season contest against St. Mark's. The girls' two previous 4-3 results weren't nearly as close on a match-by-match basis as this one was. Each team won one match in three games, but the remaining six matches, including the exhibition match, all took four games to decide. The Martlets did their damage at the top and the bottom of the ladder. Kaylee Hunt '20 took clear control in her No. 1 match, winning 5, 2, 6. Ellie Bailey '21 had much more to contend with, but her patience helped her prevail in the key moments in her win at No. 2 (3, 14, (8), 9). Lauren Way '20 looked like she might run away with her match at No. 7, but she was pushed to a fourth game before prevailing 1, 8, (7), 5. Likewise in the exhibition match, Shelby Oken '22 started strong, but was denied a sweep in her 7, 5, (8), 7 win. In the middle of the ladder three of the girls took a game — Eve Cathcart '20, her first at No. 6; Clara Ekholm '20, her second at No. 5; and Nicole Smith '2, her third at No. 3 — but the hosts ultimately had the slight, but decisive, advantage on the day.
 
Squash - Second Boys'
Jan. 29: Squash - Second Boys’ 2 vs. Deerfield Academy 7
The Martlets found themselves playing Deerfield with Westminster's top two players out because of injury or illness. That meant that Zach Eckerson '21 played at the No. 1 spot instead of the No. 3 spot. That disadvantage mattered, too, as the Black and Gold ended up losing 2-7 to the Big Green in a highly competitive and entertaining match. Ian Lee '21 and Ral Reyes '21 both won in four games at Nos. 6 and 7 respectively. Gabe Lugo '23 and Sung Min Cho '22 lost tough five-game matches at Nos. 4 and 8 respectively. At No. 5, Charlie Pappas '22 lost for the first time this year in three games, but the first game was 9-11 and the second game 13-15. Just as Eckerson and Pappas have been playing excellent squash, so has Lee whose four-game victory earns him the "nail" for the match.
 
Squash - Second Girls'
Jan. 29: Squash - Second Girls’ 6 vs. Choate Rosemary Hall 1
Kohn Squash Pavilion was a hub of athletic competition Jan. 29 as no fewer than eight matches took place among four schools. Despite the somewhat chaotic environment, the home team settled down quickly and cruised to a 6-1 victory over the visitors from Wallingford. Winners included: Georgia Nolan '20, Anna Veber '21, Daniela Mays-Sanchez '20, Sasha van Vredenburch '21, Wheatley Sutro '22 and Diana Tisibikova '21. Loulou Rasmussen '21 also won in straight sets in exhibition play.

Feb. 1: Squash - Second Girls’ 8 vs. Berkshire School 2
Westminster won its match against Berkshire 8-2. Winning matches for Westminster were: Anna Veber ‘21, Daniela Mays-Sanchez ‘20, Sasha van Vredenburch ‘21, Wheatley Sutro ‘22, Diana Tsibikova ‘21, Sofia Daniele ‘22, Elise Strawbridge ‘22 and Kristina Oganyan ‘22. 
 
Squash - Third Boys'
Jan. 29: Squash - Third Boys’ 5 vs. Choate Rosemary Hall 9
The top six on Choate's ladder proved too strong for the visiting Martlets. Cooper Organ '21, playing at No. 1 and down 2-1, extended his match by winning a thrilling game four, but ran out of steam in the fifth and decisive game. Grand Tantichot '22 continued his stellar play with a dominating three-game sweep. His explosive serves and well-placed forehands kept his opponent off balance for the entire match. Meanwhile, Jerry Wang '22 and Alex Shao '22 also won in three straight, with Shao yielding a mere seven points overall. Will Warner '22 won his match with an exciting 15-13 game four victory, and Hewitt Shelton '23 continued his improved playing to secure his first win of the season.

Feb. 1:
Squash - Third Boys' 2 vs. Avon Old Farms School 12
Although the Martlets managed only two wins against a tough Avon squad, there were numerous close matches. Connor Eddy '21 and Jonah Prentiss '22 both lost in five games. Eddy got off to a great start in his match, winning the first two games with the help of blistering drives, only to see his opponent rally back to tie up the match at two games apiece. The fifth game was back and forth, with the Avon player eventually eking out an 11-9 victory. Prentiss traveled a different route to his fifth game, as he found himself down two games to none and then fought back to take the next two, including a thrilling 16-14 fourth game win. Unfortunately, he had a similar fate as Eddy, losing the final game 11-8. Meanwhile, Jerry Wang '22 demonstrated the importance of working hard every practice, as he continued his winning ways with a well-played four-game triumph.
 
Squash - Third Girls'
Feb. 1: Squash - Third Girls’ 6 vs. Miss Porter's School 1
An incredibly close match against Porter's came out in favor for the Martlets. Captain Jackie Autorino '20, Chandler Green '23, Lauren Valenti '22, Michaela Crabtree-Crowley '22, Ceci Owen '22 and Lindsey Valenti '22 all won their matches.
 
Swimming/Diving - First Boys'
Jan. 29: Swimming/Diving - First Boys’ 84 vs. Williston Northampton School 99
The team traveled to Williston and swam an exciting meet featuring many close races. The Martlets came out a bit flat but put together some gritty performances. Max Larock ‘22 won the 200 free and the 100 back, and co- captain Hudson Stedman ‘21 swam a season best time in the 200 IM and a lifetime best in the 500 free (both second place). Mason Zottola ‘23 swam a lifetime best time in the IM, and J-C Lane ’21 swam a season best. Jason Shi ‘21 returned to action after missing several meets due to injury, and looked sharp in the 100 fly (second place). Co-captain Daniel Pinckney ’20 also swam his season best in that race. Grant McCargo ‘21 and Al Beisenov ‘22 both swam best times in the 100 free, and Lane swam a season best in the 100 back. The team has been working hard in practice and is swimming tired but also got a lesson in the need to swim with spirit and energy on the road.
 
Feb. 1: Swimming/Diving - First Boys’ 91 vs. Canterbury School 75
The Martlets won 10 of the 12 events in a convincing win over the Saints. Westminster jumped out in front with a 1-2 finish in the 200 medley relay, led by co-captain Hudson Stedman '21, Eddie Shin '21, Jason Shi '21 and Layton Harmon '21. Max Larock '22 won the 200 free, Stedman, Alvin Zhang '23 and Spence Kwan '22 went 1-2-3 in the 200 IM, all with great swims. Jason Shi '21, Justin Shi '21 and co-captain Daniel Pinckney '20 swept the top three spots in the 100 fly, and Harmon, Mason Zottola '23 and Al Beisenov '22 went 1-2-3 in the 100 free. Stedman swam a lifetime best in the 500 free, coming from behind in the final lap to win the race, and Zhang swam well to take third in his first attempt at that race. Justin Shi, Grant McCargo '21, Stedman and Shin won the 200 free relay, and Larock, Zottola and Kwan swept the 100 backstroke. Shin won the 100 breast with his season-best time, and Zhang, Jason Shi, Harmon, and Larock won the 400 free relay. Other notable performances included Jakub McKinney '23, who swam personal bests in the 50 free and 100 breaststroke, Pinckney with a lifetime best time in the 100 free and a season best in the 100 fly. Justin Shi made significant improvement in his 200 freestyle time, Owen Huang '23 swam a nice 100 breaststroke race.
 
Swimming/Diving - First Girls'
Jan. 29: Swimming/Diving - First Girls’ 88 vs. Williston Northampton School 96
Lucy Benoit ‘23 and co-captain Cece Raymond ’20 set new school records in the team’s first loss at Williston. Benoit jumped out ahead in the 200 freestyle, winning a close race with a time of 1:57.19, breaking the previous Westminster mark held by Leta Giordano ‘17 since 2016. Raymond raised her own school record, winning the diving with a score of 233.63. Benoit also won the 100 fly. Other strong performances came from Katherine Ashe ‘21 in the 200 free and 100 fly (both season bests), Campbell Swift ‘21 in the 100 back (personal best), co-captain Angelesia Ma ‘20 in the 200 IM (season best) and Ola Szopa ‘20, who earned her best score ever in the diving event. The team is in the throes of difficult workouts but is still managing to swim fast.
 
Feb. 1: Swimming/Diving - First Girls’ 95 vs. Canterbury School 65
The girls won nine of the 12 events as they beat the Saints, 95-65. Individual event winners were Katherine Ashe '21 (200 free), Lucy Benoit '23 (200 IM, 100 back), Ellie Thorson '21 (50 free, 100 free), co-captain Cece Raymond '20 (diving) and Annie Brewer '21 (500 free). Other notable performances included Brewer and co-captain Angelesia Ma '20 with season best swims in the 200 IM, and best-ever 50 freestyle times by Ma, Isabel O'Connell '20, Qifei Min '22 and Claire Yao '23. Riley Vincent '23 got her high score in diving, Michelle Wu '21 swam her season-best time in the 100 fly, and Campbell Swift '21 swam a lifetime best in the 100 free. The team looked strong in the final meet of the mid-season.
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