Spring Sports Highlights 5.25.17

 

Under perfect weather conditions for golf, First Boys' Golf concluded its season at the 44th Annual Kingswood Invitational Tournament. Although Westminster played a solid round of 406, the overall scoring was very low, and this score only resulted in a T12th finish in the 23-team field. The individual tournament medalists were Garth Swanson (K-O) and Kevin Sujanto (Kent) with scores of 69 (-1). For the Martlets, Sam Knowlton '17 led the way with a solid round of 76 (+6), followed by Ned Blanchard '20 (79), Grant Noble '18 (81), Jack Griffith '17 (82) and Logan Hinton '17 (88). 

  

Returning to Simsbury after a seven-hour golf day at Taft for the Founders League Championship, Westminster Golf First Girls’ were disappointed, tired, but ever-spirited. With the exception of Eve Cathcart '20 who played well, the rest of the day's black and gold competitors were unable to find their collective games and fell short of making a statement in the final tournament of the year, a medal play format against other teams in the league. Not surprisingly, Taft reaffirmed its season dominance winning this tournament, along with the New England Championship several weeks ago. Hotchkiss and Loomis finished second and third respectively with Hotchkiss' #2 player carding the low round of the day (39). Westminster tied for fifth among the seven teams. On behalf of the team, coach Scott Stevens would like to say thanks and good luck to Johanna Hultin '18, the one-year exchange student from Sweden, Annie Hick's '17 (headed to Wake Forest) and captain Abby LeBlanc '17 (headed to Williams) who did wonderful work leading the 2017 squad.

Seconds Girls' Lacrosse played another well-balanced game May 24, as the team faced the Bears of Berkshire. As they have all season, co-captains Brinley Cuddeback '17 and McKenna Burelle '17 set the tone on offense. Cuddeback scored on a drive from behind the crease to put the Martlets on the board a minute into the game. Then Ridgely Green '20 scooped up a ground ball and buried the next. Green won most of the draw controls and was a force in the midfield with Burelle and Maddie Dwyer '18. Meg Rittenhouse '20 and McKenzie Roller '20 made many great passes in transition, which kept the Bear defense moving. Nadia Lee '18 had another big game in goal with 11 saves and stellar defensive play around the eight-meter fan by Mia Stevens '18, Jane Ogden '19, Layla Ennis '19 and Natalie Fay '19 kept the Bears' scoring chances to a minimum. Scorers were: Burelle four goals, one assist; Green two goals, one assist; Roller three goals; Dwyer one goal, one assist; Cuddeback  two goals; Rebecca Sargent '20 one goal. It was a great game for the Martlets from beginning to end.

In an off-day game against Cardigan, Westminster mounted a strong offensive effort, able to convert on even situations and in transition. Mason Horrigan ‘18 dominated at the face-off, losing only a couple through the entire game. The score was 7-3 at half, Cardigan brought the game to within one goal, seizing momentum in the third quarter. With a little focus and precision, the Martlets were able to take control and put a few balls behind the Cardigan goaltender. Kyle Forsyth ‘17 and Alex Londal ‘17 played excellent in net. Londal came up with some critical, game-saving saves late in the fourth that stymied the Cardigan effort to close the gap. Cardigan scored most of its goals on EMO, but Westminster was able to take care of the ball at even strength and win this game.

 

 

 

Westminster took the short trip over to take on Avon for the fourth time this season. The Martlets knew they were going to be in for a tough game as last week Avon battled back to tie a game late that Westminster needed to win in overtime. The visitors jumped out to a 5-2 lead after the first quarter and extended that to an 8-3 lead at the half. The Martlets played their best-settled offense of the season in the first 20 minutes. The second half would be a great up and down battle with some hustle and big hits. A couple game balls went out too: Ian Shane '20 for a couple of great goals including a perfect shot from 15 yards low off stick side of the goalie and also Ryan Messina '20 for his two goals and tremendous hustle and physical play. The win caps off a double-digit win season for the thundering Martlets.

 

The Martlets put an exclamation point on their season with a 9-0 win over Berkshire on senior day. While the team started slow in doubles, it found its rhythm and ultimately won all three matches. Liz Casey '18 and Leta Giordano '17 produced the most convincing win at #3. They jumped ahead 4-1 and never looked back, serving confidently and playing well at the net. Nat Wilson '18 and Clara Ekholm '20 struggled in the first few games, missing shots that they usually handle with ease. After falling behind 2-3, they bounced back to win 8-4. Mary Kille '18 and Lily von Stade '17 faced two strong players at #1 doubles, and ultimately were able to put them away 9-7. In singles, the Bears had to forfeit the #2 spot due to injury. Kille at #3, Maggie Chaves '19 at #5 and Ellie Suit '20 at #6 all rolled to victory over their opponents. Wilson got a jump on her opponent who did not quit and ultimately went ahead 6-5, but Wilson rallied and won 10-6. The best match of the day was at #1 singles where von Stade faced a hard-hitting opponent. The Bears were able to mount a charge half way through the set and ultimately held a 9-6 lead. Playing in her final Westminster athletic contest, von Stade wanted to go out on a win and her determination was palpable. She hung in against her opponent and ultimately was able to win 11-9. It was a great finish for a player who has been such an excellent role model and leader for her team. It has been a successful season in many ways, and with eight players returning next year, the Martlets are hopeful about their future.

  

 

 

It was a nice day for tennis on the final day of the season. At Berkshire, due to court constraints, the team played the singles first. Scott Wilson ’19 had an early lead, got behind, and then won three straight games to win his pro-set 8-6. James Chun ’19 played a former schoolmate from Cardigan Mountain and won 8-3. The other boys lost, though Alec Costanza ’17 was in a very tight match at #2, finally losing 6-8. With only two wins, it was not possible for the Martlets to take the match with doubles. Although Berkshire took #1 doubles, the Westminster crew took #2 and #3 to make the final score 3-4. In exhibition singles, Max Torrez ’18 won again as he has many times this season and Curtis Brockelman ’19 made a clean 8-0 sweep in his match.