It's a funny thing about destiny, just when you think you have the opportunity to control it- it controls you.
Montville has dealt with the agony of defeat before, a one-point loss on the last play of a game against New London is as perfect an example as you can have.
That New London loss, however, may pale in comparison to the one that the Indians suffered Wednesday night at St. Bernard.
All the Indians had to do was win and a Class SS state playoff berth was theirs, now they have to hope that something they haven't had too much of all season, luck is on their side.
Montville's 14-12 loss to St. Bernard means the Indians can only get into the state playoffs with a Holy Cross win over Wolcott on Thursday. Everyone on the Montville team inclined to do so should probably be getting out their prayer beads about now.
Everyone will ask the same question; How did St. Bernard pull it off?
The answer is rather simple actually, the Saints executed when they had to.
Down by two touchdowns, Jordan Rando dived towards the end zone and the ball popped loose. There was defensive lineman Lucas Bowman to scoop it up and made it a one-touchdown game.
When Montville had to gain just a foot for a first down with one minute to play, there was Bowman to stuff Tyler Girard-Floyd and give the ball back to the Saints.
When there were 38 seconds left to play, there was Ryan Brahm,broken hand and all, pump faking the defender into falling down and lofting a 27-yard pass to Sean Kydd for the game-winning score.
Unfortunately, I wish the rest of the story was just as good. That there were handshakes and wellwishes afterwards between teams.
Instead, school officials and law enforcement had to intervene to not only keep the two sides apart, but to keep Montville players and some of its own parents apart. It was a scene that I hated witnessing, especially on Thanksgiving Eve.
So as we move on to Thanksgiving Day high school football, let's all remember one thing, it's high school football not the Super Bowl.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ledyard pulls off the upset
There was a feeling in the air on Wednesday.
A feeling of confidence.
It was almost palpable when I visited the locker room to do a preview story on the Ledyard-New London game that took place Thursday night.
It also turned out to be well founded.
The Colonels weren't cocky, but they weren't afraid of the mighty Whalers either. They spoke in praise of their upcoming opponents, but never put them on a much higher pedastal than they placed themselves.
Thursday night, the Colonels proved they knew what they were talking about as they dropped beat New London in Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore's words, "convincingly", 27-6.
Defense not only wins championships, it also wins games.
The Colonels didn't allow an offensive touchdown as the only offense the Whalers could muster came from the legs of Richie Vitale.
Quarterback J.J. Jablonski may have put himself into the same sentence as New London's injured Jordan Reed and Griswold's Sean Brackett with a 183-yard, two-touchdown performance.Barquis Haley, a former Whaler, scored the only touchdown the Colonels would need in the third quarter. Jablonski hit Drew Roselle twice in the fourth quarter for scores and later crossed the goal line himself to account for Ledyard's scoring.
Lost in all the hoopla of beating New London was the fact that the Colonels also qualified for the Class M state playoffs with the win.
No one really cared, no one even mentioned it.
After all, they had just beaten New London.
A feeling of confidence.
It was almost palpable when I visited the locker room to do a preview story on the Ledyard-New London game that took place Thursday night.
It also turned out to be well founded.
The Colonels weren't cocky, but they weren't afraid of the mighty Whalers either. They spoke in praise of their upcoming opponents, but never put them on a much higher pedastal than they placed themselves.
Thursday night, the Colonels proved they knew what they were talking about as they dropped beat New London in Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore's words, "convincingly", 27-6.
Defense not only wins championships, it also wins games.
The Colonels didn't allow an offensive touchdown as the only offense the Whalers could muster came from the legs of Richie Vitale.
Quarterback J.J. Jablonski may have put himself into the same sentence as New London's injured Jordan Reed and Griswold's Sean Brackett with a 183-yard, two-touchdown performance.Barquis Haley, a former Whaler, scored the only touchdown the Colonels would need in the third quarter. Jablonski hit Drew Roselle twice in the fourth quarter for scores and later crossed the goal line himself to account for Ledyard's scoring.
Lost in all the hoopla of beating New London was the fact that the Colonels also qualified for the Class M state playoffs with the win.
No one really cared, no one even mentioned it.
After all, they had just beaten New London.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wethersfield takes 2-0 lead over East Lyme
Wethersfield has taken a 2-0 lead over East Lyme in the Class L boys soccer championship match at Willowbrook Park in New Britain.
Colin Doody scored 18:43 into the match when he took a rebound off a shot by Michael Morrissette and pushed it past East Lyme keeper Matias Francone.
The Eagles came back just eight minutes later when Andrew Whitehead took advantage of a three-on-one break and gathered in a cross from Brian Walsh to make it 2-0.
Colin Doody scored 18:43 into the match when he took a rebound off a shot by Michael Morrissette and pushed it past East Lyme keeper Matias Francone.
The Eagles came back just eight minutes later when Andrew Whitehead took advantage of a three-on-one break and gathered in a cross from Brian Walsh to make it 2-0.
State championship weekend
After a marathon Class LL girls volleyball state champioonship match Saturday night which was won by NFA, 3-2, over Fitch, we're back at it on this Sunday.
Weather is playing a role at Willowbrook Park in New Britain this afternoon as East Lyme is battling Wethersfield in the Class L boys soccer championship.
The wind is whipping around at 20 miles per hour plus and East Lyme is going against it in the first half. The Vikings have had one good shot thus far when Jacob Stanford passed to Dom Cassrino in the middle,but his shot flew over the top of the Eagles net.
Wethersfield, with the wind, has four shots already and keeper Matias Francone has made two saves. The most dangerous opportunity was a header off a corner by the Eagles' Bill Noiset that went wide to the right of the East Lyme net.
Later on this afternoon, the St. Bernard girls team plays Immaculate in the Class S girls championship at 4:30 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.
Weather is playing a role at Willowbrook Park in New Britain this afternoon as East Lyme is battling Wethersfield in the Class L boys soccer championship.
The wind is whipping around at 20 miles per hour plus and East Lyme is going against it in the first half. The Vikings have had one good shot thus far when Jacob Stanford passed to Dom Cassrino in the middle,but his shot flew over the top of the Eagles net.
Wethersfield, with the wind, has four shots already and keeper Matias Francone has made two saves. The most dangerous opportunity was a header off a corner by the Eagles' Bill Noiset that went wide to the right of the East Lyme net.
Later on this afternoon, the St. Bernard girls team plays Immaculate in the Class S girls championship at 4:30 p.m. at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
NFA avoids shutout, down 2-1
Maybe the long second set took something out of Fitch.
The Falcons fell behind NFA early in the third set and never recovered as the Wildcats bested the Falcons 25-15 and now trail 2-1 in the Class LL volleyball state championship match at Newington High School.
Jennifer Escobido served up three points to put the Wildcats up 24-12, but NFA had to wait out three straight points by Fitch before it scored the game point on a tip by Kastine Evans.
The Falcons fell behind NFA early in the third set and never recovered as the Wildcats bested the Falcons 25-15 and now trail 2-1 in the Class LL volleyball state championship match at Newington High School.
Jennifer Escobido served up three points to put the Wildcats up 24-12, but NFA had to wait out three straight points by Fitch before it scored the game point on a tip by Kastine Evans.
Fitch outlasts NFA in second set
A net violation against NFA ended a marathon second set with Fitch coming out on top, 35-33, to take a 2-0 lead in the Class LL state championship volleyball match in Newington.
NFA had fought back from an early deficit behid eight consecutive service points by freshman Kaylyn Levine but the Falcons rallied to tie and forced the marathon overtime.
The Falcons finally took the advantage when the Wildcats couldn't return a tip and the net violation gave the Falcons the win.
NFA had fought back from an early deficit behid eight consecutive service points by freshman Kaylyn Levine but the Falcons rallied to tie and forced the marathon overtime.
The Falcons finally took the advantage when the Wildcats couldn't return a tip and the net violation gave the Falcons the win.
Fitch dominant in first set
Norwich Free Academy has to be wondering why they can't play against Fitch like they did against Trumbull, Cheshire and Greenwich.
The Falcons dominated the first set of their Class LL state match at Newington High School and posted a 25-15 win.
Devyn Frank had three kills and two service aces while Rachael Dempsey served up eight points in a run that gave Fitch a 15-5 lead.
Kastine Evans has been a little frustrated early on as she has been called for three net violations.
Funniest moment of the first set: A ball was sent upward into the gym ceiling and never came back down, wedging itself between two steel beams.
The Falcons dominated the first set of their Class LL state match at Newington High School and posted a 25-15 win.
Devyn Frank had three kills and two service aces while Rachael Dempsey served up eight points in a run that gave Fitch a 15-5 lead.
Kastine Evans has been a little frustrated early on as she has been called for three net violations.
Funniest moment of the first set: A ball was sent upward into the gym ceiling and never came back down, wedging itself between two steel beams.
Wild and windy ride
If you're coming up to Newington tonight, you know what I mean.
It's a good thing volleyball teams play inside as the weather outside is kind of frightful especially with some of those wind gusts blowing across the highway on Interstate 84.
Fitch meets Norwich Free Academy tonight in the Class LL state championship which is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. The Class L final has just been completed with Darien beating Torrington 3-2.
The Falcons took their time in getting to Newington as the bus arrived around 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats were already in attendance as they left Norwich around 5:30 and got to Newington about a half-hour prior to Fitch's arrival.
THe Wildcats have to find an answer for the Falcons who have beaten them in the three meetings the two have had this season. They met twice in the regular season and again in the ECC championship. Fitch won the first meeting by only a 3-2 margin, but beat the Wildcats by the same 3-0 score in the next two encounters.
It's a good thing volleyball teams play inside as the weather outside is kind of frightful especially with some of those wind gusts blowing across the highway on Interstate 84.
Fitch meets Norwich Free Academy tonight in the Class LL state championship which is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. The Class L final has just been completed with Darien beating Torrington 3-2.
The Falcons took their time in getting to Newington as the bus arrived around 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats were already in attendance as they left Norwich around 5:30 and got to Newington about a half-hour prior to Fitch's arrival.
THe Wildcats have to find an answer for the Falcons who have beaten them in the three meetings the two have had this season. They met twice in the regular season and again in the ECC championship. Fitch won the first meeting by only a 3-2 margin, but beat the Wildcats by the same 3-0 score in the next two encounters.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Hurry up and wait
Anticipation.
That's what East Lyme and St. Bernard are battling right now.
The Saints girls soccer team was supposed to play Immaculate on Saturday for the Class S soccer title while the Vikings boys were getting ready to battle Wethersfield for the boys "L" championship.
Those matches have been put on hold by the CIAC as it, too, has been hit by a wave of anticipation. Only in this case, the CIAC was anticipating Mother Nature.
The weathermen (who are always right 10 percent of the time) are calling for a rainy and stormy Saturday so the CIAC decided on Friday to move the championship games to Sunday. East Lyme will play at Willowbrook Park in New Britain at 2:30 p.m., St. Bernard will be in Waterbury at 4:30 p.m.
The delat could actually benefit the Vikings who were hoping to have leading scorer Phil Ziegler reeady for the game. Ziegler went down with an injury to his left knee late in the semifinal match against RHAM on Wednesday. An extra day of rest can only be helpful in that situation.
It means only one state championship match will be played Saturday and it's a big one. Norwich Free Academy and Fitch will duel for the Class LL volleyball championship a at 8 p.m. in Newin
That's what East Lyme and St. Bernard are battling right now.
The Saints girls soccer team was supposed to play Immaculate on Saturday for the Class S soccer title while the Vikings boys were getting ready to battle Wethersfield for the boys "L" championship.
Those matches have been put on hold by the CIAC as it, too, has been hit by a wave of anticipation. Only in this case, the CIAC was anticipating Mother Nature.
The weathermen (who are always right 10 percent of the time) are calling for a rainy and stormy Saturday so the CIAC decided on Friday to move the championship games to Sunday. East Lyme will play at Willowbrook Park in New Britain at 2:30 p.m., St. Bernard will be in Waterbury at 4:30 p.m.
The delat could actually benefit the Vikings who were hoping to have leading scorer Phil Ziegler reeady for the game. Ziegler went down with an injury to his left knee late in the semifinal match against RHAM on Wednesday. An extra day of rest can only be helpful in that situation.
It means only one state championship match will be played Saturday and it's a big one. Norwich Free Academy and Fitch will duel for the Class LL volleyball championship a at 8 p.m. in Newin
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Unexpected outcome for East Lyme
There was jubilation and a little disbelief after East Lyme shutout RHAM, 2-0, in the Class L boys soccer semifinals Wednesday night.
The jubilation was obvious, the disbelief was the fact that the Vikings had qualified for the Class L state championship game Saturday against Wethersfield.
"(At the) beginning of the year, I couldn't envision being here at this poin tin time, "East Lyme coach Paul Christensen said.
"The way these kids have worked so hard this year, the character they have had overcoming adversity, they've found different ways to win and that's a testament to this team. It's a runthat we didn't expect," he added.
East Lyme scored the goal it needed in the first half when Dom Cassarino headed in a cross from Phil Ziegler. After that, it was up to the defense led by players like senior Joe Wawrzynski.
"We're pretty happy, we did what we could," Wawrzynski said, "They had some good players out there, they're fast and we had to stay behind them and not let them get by us."
The Vikings then received an unexpected gift from the Sachems as an own goal early in the second half sealed the deal for East Lyme and sent the Vikings to their second state title game since 2002.
Back then, East Lyme finished in a tie with Wethersfield to end as co-champions. Wethersfield will again be on the other side of the field come Saturday in New Britain.
"Wethersfield is a tremendous team with a history of success, but (East Lyme) kids have one too, we're no slouch," Christensen said. "It's a great feeling to get this program back to that level."
The one concern the Vikings will have going into Saturday's match is the health of leading scorer Phil Ziegler. The junior banged up his knee late against RHAM and was brought to the bus on a golf cart. Christensen is hoping that Ziegler will be able to give it a go against Wethersfield.
The jubilation was obvious, the disbelief was the fact that the Vikings had qualified for the Class L state championship game Saturday against Wethersfield.
"(At the) beginning of the year, I couldn't envision being here at this poin tin time, "East Lyme coach Paul Christensen said.
"The way these kids have worked so hard this year, the character they have had overcoming adversity, they've found different ways to win and that's a testament to this team. It's a runthat we didn't expect," he added.
East Lyme scored the goal it needed in the first half when Dom Cassarino headed in a cross from Phil Ziegler. After that, it was up to the defense led by players like senior Joe Wawrzynski.
"We're pretty happy, we did what we could," Wawrzynski said, "They had some good players out there, they're fast and we had to stay behind them and not let them get by us."
The Vikings then received an unexpected gift from the Sachems as an own goal early in the second half sealed the deal for East Lyme and sent the Vikings to their second state title game since 2002.
Back then, East Lyme finished in a tie with Wethersfield to end as co-champions. Wethersfield will again be on the other side of the field come Saturday in New Britain.
"Wethersfield is a tremendous team with a history of success, but (East Lyme) kids have one too, we're no slouch," Christensen said. "It's a great feeling to get this program back to that level."
The one concern the Vikings will have going into Saturday's match is the health of leading scorer Phil Ziegler. The junior banged up his knee late against RHAM and was brought to the bus on a golf cart. Christensen is hoping that Ziegler will be able to give it a go against Wethersfield.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Lyman and Bacon have no regrets
Gassed.
It's the best word to describe how the Lyman girls soccer team looked as it walked off the field Monday night after finishing in a 1-all tie with Nonnewaug in the Class M quarterfinals.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it wasn't over as they still had to endure a round of penalty kicks which went to the Chiefs, 3-2. That put Nonnewaug into the Class M semifinals opposite a member of their own Berkshire League, Lewis Mills.
"They were on fumes, but they went out there and did their best. I'm very proud of them," Lyman coach Mark Morello said.
The Bulldogs had to battle adversity all season long and the quarterfinals just brought more of it as one of their best midfielders, Julie Jahoda, tried, but just couldn't stay on the field due to illness.
"Julie was sick all day (Monday) and she gave us everything she could - about 10 or 15 minutes- but she shouldn't have been out here," Morello said. "The kids stepped up, it was a team effort out there, and I'm nothing but proud of the whole group."
Morello was in good company on Monday as the Bacon Academy squad had similar feelings after losing to Lauralton Hall, 3-0, in another Class M quarterfinal.
The loss finished Bacon's season at 16-2 and coach Christine Taylor, although disappointed by the loss, was satisfied with the season.
"I don't look at the season as a failure, we did a lot of good things," Taylor said. "We did the best with what we had to play against and with. It's just the game of soccer and the best team doesn't always walk off with a win."
The Lyman boys try to become the first team in the area to qualify for a state championship game this fall as they take on Somers in a Class S semifinal at Rocky Hill High School at 6 p.m.
Bundle up if you're going as temperatures are supposed to drop into the 20's and there may even be a breeze.
The Stonington girls field hockey team also shoot for a state championship berth as the Bears take on Granby at Sheehan High School at 4 p.m. in a Class S semifinal today.
It's the best word to describe how the Lyman girls soccer team looked as it walked off the field Monday night after finishing in a 1-all tie with Nonnewaug in the Class M quarterfinals.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it wasn't over as they still had to endure a round of penalty kicks which went to the Chiefs, 3-2. That put Nonnewaug into the Class M semifinals opposite a member of their own Berkshire League, Lewis Mills.
"They were on fumes, but they went out there and did their best. I'm very proud of them," Lyman coach Mark Morello said.
The Bulldogs had to battle adversity all season long and the quarterfinals just brought more of it as one of their best midfielders, Julie Jahoda, tried, but just couldn't stay on the field due to illness.
"Julie was sick all day (Monday) and she gave us everything she could - about 10 or 15 minutes- but she shouldn't have been out here," Morello said. "The kids stepped up, it was a team effort out there, and I'm nothing but proud of the whole group."
Morello was in good company on Monday as the Bacon Academy squad had similar feelings after losing to Lauralton Hall, 3-0, in another Class M quarterfinal.
The loss finished Bacon's season at 16-2 and coach Christine Taylor, although disappointed by the loss, was satisfied with the season.
"I don't look at the season as a failure, we did a lot of good things," Taylor said. "We did the best with what we had to play against and with. It's just the game of soccer and the best team doesn't always walk off with a win."
The Lyman boys try to become the first team in the area to qualify for a state championship game this fall as they take on Somers in a Class S semifinal at Rocky Hill High School at 6 p.m.
Bundle up if you're going as temperatures are supposed to drop into the 20's and there may even be a breeze.
The Stonington girls field hockey team also shoot for a state championship berth as the Bears take on Granby at Sheehan High School at 4 p.m. in a Class S semifinal today.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Lyman readies for Nonnewaug
Now comes the fun part, adjust on the fly.
That's what the Lyman girls soccer team will be doing Monday night when they host Nonnewaug at 6 p.m. in a Class M quarterfinal.
"They come from Woodbury," Lyman coach Mark Morello said through a grin when asked what he knew about Monday night's opponents after Lyman's win over Montville on Friday afternoon.
"They're a Berkshire League team and this year, the top three Berkshire League teams beat up on one another, but I still have to do a little work on them," Morello added.
The other top two Berkshire League teams, Shepaug Valley and Gilbert, have both lost to St. Bernard in the Class S tournament.
"It's a quarterfinal game and since Suffield (the Class M top seed) went down, it's a wide open field and I think everyone knows that," Morello said.
Junior midfielder Julie Jahoda agreed that Lyman has a shot at it, especially if they play as they did in a 1-0 win over the Indians.
"If we play like (Friday) every game, I think we have a chance at it. We're doing a great job," Jahoda said.
Ashlee Coutu, who scored the only goal of the game, said the team has had to fight through some adversity this year including an injury to herself which cost her two games of the season.
"It feels good (to be in the quarterfinals) because, in my opinion, adversity strengthens and it's made us a stronger team," Coutu said.
""We play with our hearts and don't leave anything on the field and we deserve it. It just feels good to be back in it because last year, we didn't get that chance."
Should Lyman get past Nonnewaug, it will then have to play Lewis Mills in the Class M semifinals.
Should the Bulldogs do that and should Bacon Academy beat both Lauralton Hall in the quarterfinals on Monday and St. Joseph's in the semifinals; it could be a Bacon-Lyman state championship game Saturday in Waterbury.
Just something to look forward to.
That's what the Lyman girls soccer team will be doing Monday night when they host Nonnewaug at 6 p.m. in a Class M quarterfinal.
"They come from Woodbury," Lyman coach Mark Morello said through a grin when asked what he knew about Monday night's opponents after Lyman's win over Montville on Friday afternoon.
"They're a Berkshire League team and this year, the top three Berkshire League teams beat up on one another, but I still have to do a little work on them," Morello added.
The other top two Berkshire League teams, Shepaug Valley and Gilbert, have both lost to St. Bernard in the Class S tournament.
"It's a quarterfinal game and since Suffield (the Class M top seed) went down, it's a wide open field and I think everyone knows that," Morello said.
Junior midfielder Julie Jahoda agreed that Lyman has a shot at it, especially if they play as they did in a 1-0 win over the Indians.
"If we play like (Friday) every game, I think we have a chance at it. We're doing a great job," Jahoda said.
Ashlee Coutu, who scored the only goal of the game, said the team has had to fight through some adversity this year including an injury to herself which cost her two games of the season.
"It feels good (to be in the quarterfinals) because, in my opinion, adversity strengthens and it's made us a stronger team," Coutu said.
""We play with our hearts and don't leave anything on the field and we deserve it. It just feels good to be back in it because last year, we didn't get that chance."
Should Lyman get past Nonnewaug, it will then have to play Lewis Mills in the Class M semifinals.
Should the Bulldogs do that and should Bacon Academy beat both Lauralton Hall in the quarterfinals on Monday and St. Joseph's in the semifinals; it could be a Bacon-Lyman state championship game Saturday in Waterbury.
Just something to look forward to.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Ledyard sets up showdown
Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore was happy Friday night and rightfully so.
Not only had his Colonels football team beat a highly-regarded Plainfield squad, they beat them "convincingly", 40-14.
"It was just a great all-around team effort by us, a lot of guys were involved, and that included great play up front because we were under-sized," Buonocore said.
Quarterback J.J. Jablonski had his best technical game of the year as he threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns, both to Fred Hewett. Sam Saccomano pulled down five of the 12 completions that Jablonski had for 106 yards and Barquis Haley rushed for 107 yards and four touchdowns, one coming on the defensive gem of the game.
It was the Ledyard linebacker's interception of a pass by Plainfield quarterback Steve Vanase that he returned 24 yards for a score that turned the tide in Ledyard's favor for good.
"It was the first mistake of the season for Steven," Plainfield coach Pat Smith said. "He didn't see the kid, I don't think anyone saw the kid, here comes a white jersey out of nowhere and then he steps into the end zone- that was the back-breaker."
It's a well-deserved week off for the Colonels now who had to weather a 13-12 loss to NFA and a 14-7 win over St. Bernard prior to the Plainfield game. Now, their attention turns to New London in two weeks.
The Colonels have to be considered a threat to New London which just survived against Montville to win a thriller on the Whalers home field Friday night.
New London doesn't get that break, the Whalers play Griswold this Friday night and clinch the Medium Division title with a win.
Not only had his Colonels football team beat a highly-regarded Plainfield squad, they beat them "convincingly", 40-14.
"It was just a great all-around team effort by us, a lot of guys were involved, and that included great play up front because we were under-sized," Buonocore said.
Quarterback J.J. Jablonski had his best technical game of the year as he threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns, both to Fred Hewett. Sam Saccomano pulled down five of the 12 completions that Jablonski had for 106 yards and Barquis Haley rushed for 107 yards and four touchdowns, one coming on the defensive gem of the game.
It was the Ledyard linebacker's interception of a pass by Plainfield quarterback Steve Vanase that he returned 24 yards for a score that turned the tide in Ledyard's favor for good.
"It was the first mistake of the season for Steven," Plainfield coach Pat Smith said. "He didn't see the kid, I don't think anyone saw the kid, here comes a white jersey out of nowhere and then he steps into the end zone- that was the back-breaker."
It's a well-deserved week off for the Colonels now who had to weather a 13-12 loss to NFA and a 14-7 win over St. Bernard prior to the Plainfield game. Now, their attention turns to New London in two weeks.
The Colonels have to be considered a threat to New London which just survived against Montville to win a thriller on the Whalers home field Friday night.
New London doesn't get that break, the Whalers play Griswold this Friday night and clinch the Medium Division title with a win.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Bad day is good day for Saints
It wasn't exactly the most enjoyable day to go out and watch a soccer game.
The wind was threatening to make little Mary Poppins out of everyone as it blew umbrellas around and blew rain even into the faces of those who wielded them. It also became a little chilly and on the field- a little slippery.
"It was getting slippery towards the end as we worked on the field," St. Bernard junior Jillian Kowalski said. "There was less and less grass, it was harder to get a grip. The goal area was harder, the corners were harder."
But the Saints, one of the few host local teams to play on this ugly Thursday, were happy with the results as they shutout visiting Gilbert, 1-0, for a berth in the Class S state tournament quarterfinals.
"I told the kids it would probably come down to a set piece," St. Bernard coach Chris Ghiglia said as the weather conditions rendered a passing game almost useless.
Fortunately for St. Bernard, that set piece showed itself in the form of a corner from Kowalski to freshman Caroline Kozlowski who scored her 25th goal of the season 34 minutes into the match.
"It was a brilliant goal," Ghiglia said. "Jillian's crosses, all year, have been excellent and Caroline has been sticking it in the net."
That one goal held up and sends St. Bernard into the quarterfinals on Saturday against another Berkshire Conference team that will have a long drive to Uncasville, Shepaug Valley.
The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday although as Ghiglia surveyed the soggy field Thursday, he wondered aloud if it would be ready for play by then.
Lyman's was not and the Bulldogs game with Montville was moved to Friday at 2 p.m. to be followed by Lyman's boys against Shepaug Valley at 5 p.m. The Bacon Academy Bobcats girls also play Friday against East Catholic, that game was also postponed.
The wind was threatening to make little Mary Poppins out of everyone as it blew umbrellas around and blew rain even into the faces of those who wielded them. It also became a little chilly and on the field- a little slippery.
"It was getting slippery towards the end as we worked on the field," St. Bernard junior Jillian Kowalski said. "There was less and less grass, it was harder to get a grip. The goal area was harder, the corners were harder."
But the Saints, one of the few host local teams to play on this ugly Thursday, were happy with the results as they shutout visiting Gilbert, 1-0, for a berth in the Class S state tournament quarterfinals.
"I told the kids it would probably come down to a set piece," St. Bernard coach Chris Ghiglia said as the weather conditions rendered a passing game almost useless.
Fortunately for St. Bernard, that set piece showed itself in the form of a corner from Kowalski to freshman Caroline Kozlowski who scored her 25th goal of the season 34 minutes into the match.
"It was a brilliant goal," Ghiglia said. "Jillian's crosses, all year, have been excellent and Caroline has been sticking it in the net."
That one goal held up and sends St. Bernard into the quarterfinals on Saturday against another Berkshire Conference team that will have a long drive to Uncasville, Shepaug Valley.
The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday although as Ghiglia surveyed the soggy field Thursday, he wondered aloud if it would be ready for play by then.
Lyman's was not and the Bulldogs game with Montville was moved to Friday at 2 p.m. to be followed by Lyman's boys against Shepaug Valley at 5 p.m. The Bacon Academy Bobcats girls also play Friday against East Catholic, that game was also postponed.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Big mistake for Morgan
It's a big reminder that these are high school kids and that they are prone to mistakes.
This one just happened to be a big one.
William Morgan, the third-leading scorer in the area , was a key ingredient in Lyman';s third-consecutive Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division title run. He was expected to be one of the main reasons why Lyman was hoping to do well in the Class S tournament.
Late Wednesday morning, that all changed.
Morgan found himself in the presence of the school's vice-principal; i facing disciplinary action for undisclosed reasons. Those reasons were serious enough that it forced coach Ryan Fabry to kick him off the boys soccer team for violating the school's athletic policy.
His teammates, fortunately, persevered without him to score a 2-0 win over Canton in a first-round state tournament match.
"I told them they could hang their heads or not and they chose not," Fabry said.
The coach called the team together for an impromptu team meeting prior to the match with Canton and put together, in his estimation, one of his best inspirational pregame speeches he has ever delivered, team captain Jake Duff agreed with that.
"He's the most passionate coach I've ever encountered and I've played for many," Duff said. "He knows how to speak and fire you up; it's why our teams are good, he knows how to get you ready."
It worked as sophomore Chad Barrett, playing up front in place of Morgan, scored both of the Bulldogs' goals and led them to the win.
"They all stepped up and played out of their minds," Fabry said. "The situation is done and over with and the way we played (Wednesday), we can play with anybody."
The situation may be done for the team, but it certainly is not over for Morgan. He now faces the cold reality of not only facing some sort of discipline, but facing his former teammates as well.
This one just happened to be a big one.
William Morgan, the third-leading scorer in the area , was a key ingredient in Lyman';s third-consecutive Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division title run. He was expected to be one of the main reasons why Lyman was hoping to do well in the Class S tournament.
Late Wednesday morning, that all changed.
Morgan found himself in the presence of the school's vice-principal; i facing disciplinary action for undisclosed reasons. Those reasons were serious enough that it forced coach Ryan Fabry to kick him off the boys soccer team for violating the school's athletic policy.
His teammates, fortunately, persevered without him to score a 2-0 win over Canton in a first-round state tournament match.
"I told them they could hang their heads or not and they chose not," Fabry said.
The coach called the team together for an impromptu team meeting prior to the match with Canton and put together, in his estimation, one of his best inspirational pregame speeches he has ever delivered, team captain Jake Duff agreed with that.
"He's the most passionate coach I've ever encountered and I've played for many," Duff said. "He knows how to speak and fire you up; it's why our teams are good, he knows how to get you ready."
It worked as sophomore Chad Barrett, playing up front in place of Morgan, scored both of the Bulldogs' goals and led them to the win.
"They all stepped up and played out of their minds," Fabry said. "The situation is done and over with and the way we played (Wednesday), we can play with anybody."
The situation may be done for the team, but it certainly is not over for Morgan. He now faces the cold reality of not only facing some sort of discipline, but facing his former teammates as well.
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