Fall Sports Highlights for 11.13.17

In what began as a spirited affair, the Martlets journeyed to Berkshire for the Division II New England Championships. The team celebrated their Sixth Formers by decorating the van from top to bottom. The girls carried this positive feeling into the race, which was run in temperatures in the 30s and on a challenging course. Many of the Martlets ran their heart out, some achieving personal or season bests. Annabelle Smith '21 just missed top 20 and placed 21st overall. Smith tied her personal best for a 5K course and proved again that she is a force to be reckoned with in the future. Running in her final race, Liz Casey '18 left it all on the course, running her best time of the season and coming in second for the team followed by Bethany Winters '20 and Maggie Chaves '19. Allie Masthay '21 continued her streak of dropping time, and again broke her personal best, finishing in the top for the team, a first for her. Sixth Formers Gabi Drumm and Abby Hovey, who persevered as always against a tough field of runners, rounded out the varsity race. Jennifer Jerand '19 pulled double duty this weekend, with a role in the school play and making it out to lead the Second squad. Martina Daniele '19 and Alayna Tawney '19 also ran hard and gave it their all. As with any cross country season, it always seems that the team is fighting a war of attrition, which was particularly true this year as many girls had to sit out the final race due to illness and injury. The bright spot is that many on the team are young and have shown great improvement and dedication over the last two months. It will be exciting to watch their continual development. The team will miss our Sixth Formers who were great role models for the younger girls. Well done, Martlets!

  

 

Westminster wasn't quite ready to play at the outset and found itself in a hole 26-0 midway through the second quarter. The team drove into the red zone a couple times, but key mistakes and poor execution kept Westminster off the board until Souley Ballo '19 dashed into the end zone from seven yards out with about five minutes remaining in the half. Co-captain Marshall Watts '18 connected with Jack Devlin '20 from five yards out in the third quarter to make it a two-score game, but Westminster couldn't sustain any offensive rhythm after that. A late Titans touchdown closed the scoring on this cold, clear, beautiful afternoon. All Martlets can be proud of the effort they put forth today, but a few of players had particularly good days: Watts added an interception and two passes defensed; co-captain Mason Horrigan '18 had over 100 yards from scrimmage; Brandon Williams '18 had an interception, a long kickoff return, and two tackles-for-losses; Jack Stevenson '18 added two TFLs and a brilliant, tumbling catch on a deep throw from Devlin; and Hamilton Stuart ’19 was a jack-of-all trades, running the ball, catching passes, playing a little quarterback and leading the team in tackles from his safety position. Westminster says goodbye and thank you to the Sixth Formers: co-captains Horrigan, Watts, Jagger LeClair and Ian Broadbent, along with Stevenson, Williams, Jack Feingold, Joe Patrina and manager Fritz Gale. It's been a frustrating season in many ways, but in just as many others it's been gratifying for the goodwill, fellowship, earnestness and positivity the players brought to the field on a daily basis. Thanks to all who played for and helped out with the team this year.

 

 

The Martlets travelled to Pomfret to take on a talented squad on a beautiful but chilly November afternoon. Pomfret got on the board first just six minutes into the game, but Westminster answered back with one of its own. Katy Maxon ‘18 played a beautiful corner into the box to find the head of Jaclyn Laplante ‘20 for the goal. The Martlets struck again with a combination of quick passing from Blake Cote ‘19 and Mackenzie Reynolds ‘20 in the offensive third who then found Georgia Swank ‘19 with 2:30 left in the first half. Leading 2-1 headed into the second half, Westminster looked strong and in control, but six second half goals from the home team gave Pomfret the win.

 

The Martlets travelled to Greenwich Academy for the final game of the season on Nov. 11. Westminster put the pressure on the Gators early, taking shots and testing the GA keeper with some close calls, but a Gator free kick outside the 18-yard box sailed into Westminster's net five minutes into the first half. Westminster did not let down, however, and battled the remainder of the half, maintaining possession much of the first. The Martlets started the second half hungry for a goal. Katy Maxon '18 took a corner kick, which found the head of Jaclyn Laplante '20 to tie the game 1-1. Things looked promising for Westminster, but just one minute following the beautiful header goal, the Martlets committed a foul in the box and GA converted the penalty kick to take the 2-1 lead. GA held onto this lead the rest of the game and came out victorious. Westminster First Girls' Soccer has left a legacy for future seasons to come and would like to thank the Sixth Formers for their leadership and the entire team for its dedication and commitment this fall.

 

Westminster took the long trip out to Kent for a late season match up in cold temperatures. Kent would jump out to a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game. It would take until the 44th minute for Westminster to break through on a great run from Sean Clarke '19 to tip it home for a 1-1 tie at half. A little wake up call at halftime was good and the Martlets would put two on the board just 10 minutes into the second half. Riley Wood '19 would knock home a ball from inside the six yard box and Ryan Messina '20 would slot home another to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. Kent would answer back to make it a 3-2 game late. Messina would step up and place a ball top corner for the game winner. Kent would score late to cut the lead to 4-3 but run out of time. Peyton Knauf '19 played strong again in net with seven saves. Chanler Miller '18 and Gabe Grimeh '19 held down the center back position extremely well. Scott Wilson '19 and Nikola Kostic '18 were outstanding on the outside of the field, playing fast and big.

 

The season’s final game would take place on a very brisk Saturday afternoon. Brunswick would open the scoring midway through the first half as its top player sliced through the Westminster D and would place a nice shot into the side netting. Second half both teams exchanged great opportunities. With under five minutes to go the Martlets would push and have two opportunities inside the six-yard box but would be turned away. Peyton Knauf ’19, with a solid 10-save performance, would play a great game in net. The team has come a long way since the beginning of the year and has a lot to build on with 19 players returning.

The five Sixth Formers led the way to a decisive win in their final home soccer game. Indira Marzbani '18 and Kate Lovas '18 were effective on the flanks, Maddie Dwyer '18 and Dallis Alvarez '18 held things together on defense, and Becca Gavel '18 contributed the last of six goals as her corner kick found its way into the net. Although the score was lopsided in the end, Pomfret held tough in the first half, limiting the scoring to a lone goal. But what a fine one it was; Ellie Bailey '21 gathered a nifty ball over the top and buried a hard shot from a tough angle in the 19th minute. The second half seemed to be taking a similar shape, but Ridgely Green '20 doubled the lead nine minutes in, beating a defender on the dribble and ripping a shot from 14 yards out. Within six more minutes Susie Mahoney '20 would add two more; Green scored her second of the day with seven minutes remaining.

 

Susie Mahoney '20 scored all four goals as the girls closed their season with a nice win. The visitors took a 2-0 lead into halftime in a game that saw the ball moving quickly all over the field. The Martlets did a nice job of stringing passes together through midfield, as Lauren Way '20 and Ridgely Green '20 had their usual chemistry, supported well by Tori Kline '19, Lizzy McCoy '20 and Campbell Swift '21. Hopkins, however, applied relentless pressure, and was dangerous on the counterattack. The second half started the same way, but the hosts seized the initiative early. Most of Hopkins thrusts were handled well, as Maddie Dwyer '18 and Dallis Alvarez '18 (playing well in their final games), aided ably by Abby Davis '20 and Daniela Mays-Sanchez ‘20, remained poised under pressure. The effort paid off just five minutes into the second half, enabling Hopkins to cut the lead in half. However, Mahoney got the lead back to two just three minutes later, squelching the hope as soon as it appeared. The fourth tally would come late in the half, bringing her total for the year to a team-leading 18. This group was entertaining all year long, and they put on an attractive display of their considerable improvement in their final outing.

 

Kent scored twice before Westminster woke up from the bus ride and the Martlets struggled to play catch up for the remainder of the game. Walker Stevens '19 scored with three minutes remaining on a free kick just outside the penalty area to make it 1-2, but Kent scored again in the final seconds and the final score was 1-3.

 

Westminster controlled the pace of the game but its shooting woes continued despite several great opportunities. The defense held in the face of some dangerous counterattacks, led by captain Zach Tarazi '18, Tucker Wieber '18, Elton Paintsil '18 and James Plumb '18. SK Lee '18, Darion Benchich '20 and Henry Mitrano '19 moved the ball effectively in the midfield and Liam Tucker '18 and Simon Aber '18 played strong on the wings. Walker Stevens '19 was solid at forward. Unfortunately, the tie felt like a lackluster finish to the season in a game in which Westminster won the possession battle and appeared to be the stronger team.

 

Down 2-0 at the half, Westminster came back strong with two goals early on to tie. Lizzi Cronin ‘21 scored both goals. The first came on a penalty kick thanks to a Rumsey Hall handball in the box. The second came on a misplay by the defense in which Cronin attacked the ball and made a great kick before any other defense could react. Unfortunately, the Rumsey team still had enough energy to put another in, pressuring the defense immediately after the score became tied. Alex Lin '19 and captain Nadia Lee '18 played well. Lee was able to get into the game after some time off with an injury. She and fellow senior captain Amanda Liu '18 played their final game on the Thirds squad.

 

 

Westminster played hard all game to earn a tie with Indian mountain School. Zach Eckerson '21, William Mell '21 and Cooper Organ '21 all played well.