Details

Fall Sports Highlights for 10.23.17

Cross Country - First Girls'
Oct. 21: Cross Country - First Girls’ 30 vs Miss Porter's School 25
The Martlets had the opportunity to run at home for the third time this season, this time against Miss Porter’s. It was another warm race day after a cool week of running, which made it difficult for runners to get a personal best on the course. Despite just falling short to the Fighting Daisies a number of runners put in gritty performances. Annabelle Smith '21 once again led the way for the Black and Gold. She led the race the entire way. From the first mile to the final mile, Miss Porter's #1 was nipping at her heels. But Smith held her off and won in 21:51. This was a great win for a young runner who held her composure under pressure and never let up. Liz Casey '18 also looked strong crossing the line second for the Black and Gold and fourth overall. Michelle Wu '21 was passed heading around the track to finish in seventh and Maggie Chaves '19, who was not feeling her best, persevered to come in eighth. It was around this time that the team noticed Bethany Winters '20 hobbling around the final stretch of the course. Winters, usually the team's #2, had clearly sustained injury but would not quit. Hopefully, her sprained ankle is short-lived but what a gutsy performance. Jennifer Jerand '19, Allie Masthay '21 and Abby Hovey '18 finished out the top seven. Masthay has shown great improvement over the course of the season, running stronger every week, and this week she earned honors as the only person on the team to earn her personal best. While it was not the Martlets' day, the girls who raced should be proud of bearing down and making it through.
 
Cross Country - First Boys'
Oct. 21: Cross Country - First Boys’ 15 vs Avon Old Farms School 50
On an unseasonably warm October day, the Westminster harriers traveled across Route 44 to race against the Winged Beavers of Avon on their Family Weekend. This race is always a competitive one for the team, and the Avon course, especially after weeks of dry weather that hardened the track, is the fastest one on which Westminster has yet raced. The boys got themselves mentally ready to deal with the heat, as they were gunning for some season bests; 23 of 30 runners achieved that mark, and five returning runners ran lifetime personal bests. Co-captains Emmett de Kanter '19 and Teagan Stedman '18 led the team both in spirit and on the course, with de Kanter winning the race and Stedman breaking 17 minutes for the first time. Stedman became one of only five Martlet runners to break that barrier. Justin Schuster '19 had a tremendous race, dropping another 40 seconds off his lifetime best to finish third and break 18 minutes for the first time in his career. He was followed by Daniel Pinckney '20 (lifetime best), Kieran Haug '21 (season best and first time under 18 minutes), Daniel Chey '18 (lifetime best and first time under 18 minutes) and John Kuzminskas '18 (season best), who had a tremendous sprint in the last 50 meters to seal the sweep for the Black and Gold.
 
The second team also swept the home team 15-50, with the scoring members all running season bests. These runners were Elliott Kennard '19, Connor Seeley '18 (lifetime best and first time under 19 minutes), Will Rizzo '21 (first time under 20 minutes), Andrew Doucette '18, Ryan Szykowny '18, Mike Riberdy '18 and Alex Ellis '20. The Sixth Formers this year are setting a high bar for the underformers in terms of both their positive attitude and fast running. Other boys who had great days, including two rapidly improving Third Formers, James Manderlink '21 and Hudson Stedman '21, both who dropped over a minute from their previous season bests, and Albert Gao '18, a newcomer to running who dropped, today, over three minutes off his season best. A tremendous effort up and down the ladder.
 
Field Hockey - First Girls'
Oct. 18: Field Hockey - First Girls’ 3 vs Deerfield Academy 2
The Martlets travelled to Deerfield on the back of a great performance against Williston Northampton School, but missing their stalwart defender, Shannon Keefe '19, with a short-term injury. This left some space in the midfield that the team struggled to keep on top of, and Deerfield scored a quick goal in the first minute. It was a poor start for Westminster, but the team quickly got going and Emma Lange '18 leveled the score after five minutes of the first half. Westminster played slowly and not with a great deal of heart, falling behind 2 to 1. The Martlets moved Ashlee White '18 up to center forward with five minutes on the clock, and she scored a nice goal to even it up. With White now back in her usual spot on defense, Westminster pressed hard and scored off a corner in the last minute to win the game (Emma Lange '18). This was a big and important win, but not a great performance for the team. The Martlets were lucky to have the sweetness of snatching a victory from what was an otherwise poor show of the team’s potential.
 
Oct. 20: Field Hockey - First Girls’ 5 vs Kingswood-Oxford School 0
The Martlets made the quick hop to KO in sunny and warm conditions Oct. 20. After a slow start, and some spirited play from KO, Westminster scored two goals to enter the half time up. Three more goals came in the second half, with everyone playing some time on the field. Maggie Kelly '18 (3), Emma Lange '18 (1) and Marissa Halkett '19 (1) scored goals. Congratulations to Halkett on her first goal for Westminster.
  
Field Hockey - Second Girls'
Oct. 18: Field Hockey - Second Girls’ 4 vs Deerfield Academy 0
With aims of doing well against Deerfield, the team stepped up to the plate. They worked together and communicated well to bring the ball down the field and place it in net. Adena Ajike '19 had a great run down the field, giving a smooth pass to the forward line. Lucy Noel '18 had a great save in the defensive end, sending it back up the field. Ally Marenco '18, goalie, had a couple saves and clears. The midfield (Katie Kosior '18, Noel, Ajike, Liz Murphy '19, Sofia Kuusisto '19, Ellie Suit '20 and Jenna Kosior '21) worked hard running up and down the field throughout most of the game. The defensive line (Layla Ennis '19, Hannah Kaye '19 and Jacq Autorino '20) communicated with and supported one another while making solid clears out to the sides. The forward line (Sophia Gasser '18, Eliza Polukhin '19, Abby Moss '20 and Rebecca Sargent '20) worked hard to keep the ball up the sideline and finally crossed the goal to put it into the net. Goal scorers included Gasser with a hat trick and Noel with one. Kuusisto, Murphy and Noel made assists. It was a great team effort and the Martlets walked away smiling.
 
Field Hockey - Third Girls'
Oct. 18: Field Hockey - Third Girls’ 1 vs Deerfield Academy 1
The Martlets traveled to Deerfield for a tough battle against the big green. With only one sub, most players didn’t get a chance to rest all game. Midway through the first half, after dominating play, Celia Sotirhos ‘21 scored, assisted by Halli Keenan ‘21. The team kept the effort up with great midfield play from Susannah Van Leuven ‘20 and Simonne Ponce ‘21, but couldn’t hold off an energized Deerfield early in the second half. With the score 1-1, the Martlets saw countless corners, played well defensively, but couldn’t find the back of the cage again.
 
Football - First Boys'
Oct. 21: Football - First Boys’ 0 vs Albany Academy 44
This was a tough game from the start. Westminster was down 34-0 at half. The team never really got off the bus. Within that, though, Bear Lockshin ’19 and Hamilton Stuart ’19 had good games.
 
Football - Second Boys'
Oct. 18: Football - Second Boys’ 14 vs Williston Northampton School 24
Second Boys’ Football struggled out of the gate against the Williston Northampton Wildcats. Low energy off of the bus cost the Martlets as the Wildcats jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on a short opening drive. The Martlets got their legs underneath them after this with a long catch and run for a touchdown from Teddy Schellbach ’20 to Tavian Montanez ’21. Schellbach battled through a couple visits from the trainer and finished the game with an additional rushing touchdown and an interception. Drew Brownback ’19 did a good job filling in while Schellbach was on the sidelines. On the defensive side, Mac Dye ’20 had his second interception of the year and Jack Luppino ’21 once again was a force, ending the game with at least four tackles for a loss. Unfortunately, time was not in favor of the Martlets and the game ended without any further scoring.
 
Soccer - First Girls'
Oct. 21: Soccer - First Girls’ 1 vs Kingswood-Oxford School 4
Westminster traveled to KO to take on the Wyverns Oct. 21, and despite a stronger second half, came home with a 1-4 loss. KO got on the board early, just 10 seconds into the game, to open up the scoring for the home team. Westminster answered eight minutes later when Emma Davis '18 took a direct shot that was tapped into the goal by Georgia Swank '19 to even the score 1-1. It remained even, with both teams having many chances, until five minutes remained in the first half. It was then that KO scored twice within 30 seconds to extend its lead. The teams broke for halftime, the score favoring the home team 3-1. The Martlets came out with more fire and will to work and win in the second half, creating multiple chances in the KO defensive end. Westminster kicked it into high gear too late, however, and KO solidified the win when it added another goal off a corner kick with 20 minutes left to play.
 
Soccer - First Boys'
Oct. 18: Soccer - First Boys’ 5 vs Trinity-Pawling School 3
Westminster would host an athletic Trinity-Pawling team on another perfect day for soccer. A few of the other Westminster teams were off today so the crowd was large for a Wednesday game. The visitors would open the scoring just three minutes into the game on a miss communication play inside the 18-yard box. Having to battle back, the Martlets would get a nice goal from Ryan Messina '20, as he kissed the ball off the post and in. Heading into halftime the home side would have many opportunities to go up 2-1 but were held tied after 45 minutes. The Martlets would take the lead on a goal from Riley Wood '19 off a cross from Nikola Kostic '18. The Pride of TP would capitalize on two quick goals to have a 3-2 lead with just 20 minutes left in the game. Wood would get his second of the game from another great ball played in from Kostic off his head. With the game tied 3-3 Westminster carried some momentum into the last 15 minutes. Messina would convert his second of the game off a nice slotted pass from Aly Tolba '18. Tolba, having his best game of the year, would be rewarded with a nice solo effect on the final goal of the game for a 5-3 win at home for the Martlets. Peyton Knauf '19 would finish with four saves. Game balls went to Wood, Messina and Kostic.
 
Oct. 21: Soccer - First Boys’ 2 vs Avon Old Farms School 3
On another picture perfect day for soccer, the Martlets took the ride up the road to take on the top five Winged Beavers on their parents weekend. Avon would open the scoring midway through the first half. Westminster would get some momentum from their goalie Peyton Knauf '19 who would make some highlight saves including one diving to his right to hold the score 1-0. Westminster would get on the board with a bending shot from Nikola Kostic '18. Heading into halftime both teams were exchanging dangerous balls into the box. Westminster would go up 2-1 midway through the second half on a crossing ball from Riley Wood '19 that would connect to Zach Papapetros’ '20 foot and into the back of the goal. The Martlets would have a number of great chances to go up 3-1 but either missed wide or high. Avon's dangerous player would tie the game up with 10 minutes to go, pressing hard, and would get the game winner with 24 seconds left. The Martlets probably played their best 90-minute game of the entire year. Knauf would finish the game with a solid eight saves.
 
Soccer - Second Girls'
Oct. 21: Soccer - Second Girls’ 1 vs Kingswood-Oxford School 1
On a beautiful afternoon in West Hartford, 80 minutes was not enough time to establish a winner. Both teams created numerous quality scoring chances in the first half – several breakaways for the Martlets, some quality strikes, including one off the post, for the Wyverns – but the first half ended scoreless. Susie Mahoney '20 got the Martlets on the board first, just four minutes into the second half, dribbling diagonally across the box and tucking a neat shot into the far side netting. Kingswood tied the game 11 minutes later with a wonderful free kick from 30 yards out. The game opened up even more during the last 20 minutes as both sides tired, and the Wyverns almost got the game winner off of a quick restart, but Allison Kijanka '20 made a fantastic reaction save on a point-blank redirect to keep the score even. Co-captains Becca Gavel '18 and Maddie Dwyer '18 were all over the field in midfield, while co-captain Dallis Alvarez '18 and Daniela Mays-Sanchez ’20 were stalwart on defense. Cecelia Raymond '20 created headaches up front for the Wyvern back line, and Campbell Swift '21 and Laura Velez '20 did good work on the flanks.
 
Soccer - Second Boys'
Oct. 18: Soccer - Second Boys’ 1 vs Trinity-Pawling School 1
Westminster hosted a fast and physical team from Trinity Pawling on Oct. 18 and scrapped through a scoreless first half in a fairly even game. Walker Stevens '19 scored off a pass from Grant Noble '18 three minutes into the second half to put the Martlets up 1-0. Six minutes later, TP evened the score with a well-placed cross into the top of the area and accurate shot on frame. The remaining 30 minutes belonged to Westminster, who possessed the ball well but could not capitalize despite a plethora of scoring opportunities. It was a frustrating tie at the final whistle, but both teams competed hard and earned the draw.
 
Oct. 21: Soccer - Second Boys’ 0 vs Avon Old Farms School 3
Malcolm Kleban '20 had more than a dozen saves, including a penalty kick at full stretch, but it wasn't enough to keep the Martlets from a loss at AOF Oct. 21. Westminster looked sharp early but flagged toward the end of the first half, conceding a goal in the 37th minute. The team remained on the defensive through most of the second half in what turned out to be a testy, physical match. The Martlets produced a few opportunities but couldn't score. Captain Zach Tarazi '18 and Peter Hall '18 were solid in the center back position, and right back Elton Paintsil '17 played well defensively and joined in the attack effectively when appropriate.
 
Soccer - Third Girls'
Oct. 18: Soccer - Third Girls’ 0 vs Hotchkiss School 4
The girls of Westminster were unable to even up their record against Hotchkiss after losing to them earlier in the season. Though the score was only 0-1 at the half, Hotchkiss dominated possession and had numerous takeaways. Even with some adjustments, the Westminster team was unable to mount a comeback, and let in three more in the second half. They did manage to put together a few moments of control in that latter half, with Ondine Finley '19 having several well-placed shots on net and Yuna Lee '19 with some great defensive stops.
 
Oct. 21: Soccer - Third Girls’ 0 vs Deerfield Academy 7
Westminster was outplayed on the Deerfield Parents Weekend match up in historic Deerfield, Mass. The center striker for the opponent had four goals by the half, and though the Westminster defense held them to only two goals in the second half, the Martlets fell 7-0. To the team members credit, they did play hard for the full time and never flagged in their energy and grit. Today marked a real improvement in the team's awareness over the past few games and Michelle Kim '20 and Rachel Ha '21 had very good games.
 
Soccer - Third Boys'
Oct. 18: Soccer - Third Boys’ 3 vs Deerfield Academy 2
Third Boys’ Soccer recorded a grueling 3-2 win against a very good Deerfield side. Charlie Flam ’20 is a strong contender for man of the match with three goals, but Cam Jury ’19 had a great game in goal with a penalty save and an assist for Flam. The defense made a lot of work for themselves, but kept the game winnable for Westminster. Scott Lee ’20 gets a mention for turning up exactly where he was needed again and again. Westminster had some titanic efforts across the field and each member of the team played some part in this special win. 
 
Oct. 21: Soccer - Third Boys’ 1 vs Avon Old Farms School 1
 
Soccer - Fourth Boys'
Oct. 20: Soccer - Fourth Boys’ 2 vs Granby High School 2
Fourth Boys’ Soccer played Granby to a 2-2 tie. Last week, this same team beat Westminster 4-1 so the boys feel like they are getting better. Goals came from Peter Sanger '21 and Sam Pagon '21. AJ Paladino '21 did a great job in goal after both the starting goalies were injured.
 
Oct. 21: Soccer - Fourth Boys’ 1 vs Avon Old Farms School 5
Down 1-0 at halftime, Westminster's Fourth Boys’ Soccer couldn't stop the attack of Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers in the second half. Travis Paulsen ’20 filled in in goal for the three injured goal keepers and was steady all game. Westminster’s only goal came from Gus Hartmann '20.
Back

Contact Us

995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. 
© Copyright 2024 Westminster School  |  Privacy Policy
AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.