NHS RECAPS – Stickgirls Score 64 Goals In Early Offensive Explosion

By Kim J. Harmon

It couldn’t have been a more perfect setting, but at about 4:45 pm the news was not good.

On a perfect Tuesday afternoon – with temperatures in the 60s – the Harold S. DeGroat/Ann Anderson sports complex was awash with activity as the Newtown High School boys’ tennis team hosted Bethel, the girls’ lacrosse team hosted Joel Barlow, the softball team hosted Bunnell and the baseball team hosted Stratford.

But at 4:45 pm, it looked as if the perfect afternoon could sour. While the tennis team was coasting against a young and inexperienced Bethel squad, the local lacrosse team was down 6-3, the softball team was down 1-0 and the baseball team was down 3-0.

About 15 minutes later, that all changed.

The afternoon went back to being perfect.

The lacrosse team rallied for a 10-8 overtime win, the softball team scored in the bottom of the seventh for a 2-1 win, and the baseball team exploded for 11 runs in the bottom of the fifth to rout Stratford and improve to 2-0.

Phew, for a minute there …

GIRLS LACROSSE

Newtown 19, Immaculate 1; Newtown 16, Cheshire 15; Newtown 19, Weston 2; Newtown 10, Joel Barlow 8

Everyone expected the Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse offense to be explosive, but … wow.

Averaging nearly 16 goals a game, the Lady Nighthawks have stormed out to a 4-0 record with thrilling overtime wins over perennial powerhouse Cheshire (16-15) and Joel Barlow (10-8) and unfortunate mismatches over Immaculate (19-1) and Weston (19-2).

At this pace, the ‘Hawks could easily eclipse the 212 goals they scored a year ago while winning the South-West Conference championship.

In the 19-1 win over Immaculate, newcomer Lauren Ciccomascolo scored five goals while senior co-captain Karli Beitel registered nine assists, tying a school lacrosse record set by Phil Smith back in 1990. Katie Sudbey chipped in with four goals while Rachel Maley added three and Moira Collier and Courtney Gleason contributed two apiece.

Against Cheshire, Beitel scored seven goals – two of those coming in the first of two three-minute overtime sessions – to lift the ‘Hawks past the Lady Rams. Ciccomascolo added four more goals while Maley and Erica Vacaro notched two goals apiece. Kim Solheim recorded a pair of assists and Kerrie Canavan earned the win in the cage while registering 11 saves.

In the rout of Weston, Maley scored four goals and assisted on three others while Gleason notched four goals. Beitel scored two goals and assisted on five more (giving her 15 assists for the season) as Collier and Libby Feltch scored two goals apiece and Katie McNulty recorded three assists.

And in the win over Joel Barlow – which may be a preview of the SWC championship – Ciccomascolo notched three more goals (giving her a team-high 13) while Jen Greenwood and Sudbey added two apiece. The Lady Falcons had a 5-3 lead in this one at the end of the first half, but the ‘Hawks stormed back in the second half to remain undefeated.

Canavan made 11 saves to notch her fourth win.

The ‘Hawks will host Masuk on Saturday at Treadwell Park (faceoff at 9:30 am) and will visit Fairfield Warde on Monday (faceoff at 10 am).

Newtown 19, Immaculate 1

GOALS: Newtown – Lauren Ciccomascolo 5, Katie Sudbey 4, Rachel Maley 3, Moira Collier 2, Courtney Gleason 2, Libby Feltch, Erica Vacaro, Stephanie Soder; Immaculate – Lindsey Rubin. ASSISTS: Newtown – Karli Beitel 9, Katie McNulty. SAVES: Newtown – Kerrie Canavan 2.

Newtown 16, Cheshire 15 (OT)

GOALS: Newtown – Karli Beitel 7, Lauren Ciccomascolo 4, Rachel Maley 2, Erica Vacaro 2, Libby Feltch; Cheshire – Dana Herritage 5, Kelly Bruno 4, Krista Malayter 3, Nicole Dagesse, Liz Sikeman, Kate Grayeb. ASSISTS: Newtown – Kim Solheim 2, Karli Beitel, Rachel Maley, Katie Sudbey; Cheshire – Nicole Dagesse 2, Dana Herritage 2, Kate Grayeb, Kelly Walsh, Nikki Perine. SAVES: Newtown – Kerrie Canavan 11; Cheshire – Rebecca Schupack 10.

Newtown 19, Weston 2

GOALS: Newtown – Rachel Maley 4, Courtney Gleason 4, Karli Beitel 2, Moira Collier 2, Libby Feltch 2, Kim Solheim, Lauren Ciccomascolo, Jen Greenwood, Carly Curran. ASSISTS: Newtown – Karli Beitel 5, Rachel Maley 3, Katie McNulty 3, Moira Collier, Libby Feltch, Kim Solheim, Lauren Ciccomascolo, Katie Sudbey. SAVES: Newtown – Kerrie Canavan 2.

Newtown 10, Joel Barlow 8 (OT)

GOALS: Newtown – Lauren Ciccomascolo 3, Jen Greenwood 2, Katie Sudbey 2, Rachel Maley, Carly Curran, Kim Solheim; Joel Barlow  - Urquhardt 4, Caren 2, Heibech, Butler. ASSISTS: Newtown – Karli Beitel 2, Rachel Maley, Jen Greenwood, Lauren Ciccomascolo, Moira Collier, Erica Vacaro; Joel Barlow – Heibeck, Baker, Butler. SAVES: Newtown – Kerrie Canavan 11; Joel Barlow – Roche 21.

GIRLS TENNIS

Newtown 6, Brookfield 1; Newtown 7, Bethel 0; Newtown 7, Bunnell 0; Newtown 7, Bethel 0

Dominating?

Well, that’s one word to describe the Newtown High School girls’ tennis team, which very nearly swept it’s way through its first four matches of the 2006 season and would have if not for Ashley Garelik of Brookfield.

The Lady Nighthawks opened the season with a 6-1 win over Brookfield and then swept past Bethel (twice) and Bunnell. Only Garelik was able to slow down the ‘Hawks – just a little – with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 win over Lauren Nemeth last Wednesday.

In fact, the ‘Hawks have been so in control they have only dropped three sets out of 58 played.

In the victory over Brookfield, Sarah Salbu and Ashley Gabor were challenged a bit in their opening sets at No. 2 and 3 singles, but then rolled to the wins in with easier second sets. Kristene Salbu captured a 6-1, 6-0 win over Emily Duus at No. 4 singles. The doubles tandems of Jill Tanner and Emily Fields, Jenna Moser and Katie Serock, and Lauren DeFelice and Maxx Zimmer all recorded relatively easy two-set wins.

In the first sweep of Bethel, Sarah Salbu had to work for a 6-2, 7-5 win over Jessica Greenwood but Nemeth only dropped one game in a two-set win while Kristene Salbu and Gabor swept their way to wins. The Tanner/Fields and Moser/Serock duos coasted as a new No. 3 tandem of Charlotte Manos and Katie Freeman earned a win.

In the sweep of Bunnell, once again Sarah Salbu had to work hard at No. 2 singles by came away with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 win over Tori Ault. Nemeth battled her way to a 6-1, 6-3 win over Basilika Cyfeku at No. 1 singles but the rest of the lineup coasted.

And in the second 7-0 shutout of Bethel, the ‘Hawks only dropped two games on the afternoon – both coming at No. 3 doubles. Everywhere else, it was a clean sweep.

The ‘Hawks will host Notre Dame on Monday and will then travel Wednesday to Wolfe Park in Monroe to take on Masuk before returning home Thursday to host New Milford.

Newtown 6, Brookfield 1

Singles – Ashley Garelik (B) def Lauren Nemeth 6-4, 3-6, 6-1; Sarah Salbu (N) def Emily Vulcano 6-2,  6-1; Ashley Gabor (N) def Lauren Bruno 6-3, 6-1; Kristene Salbu (N) def Emily Duus 6-1, 6-0. Doubles – Jill Tanner/Emily Fields (N) def Kelly Chew/Lauren Mozingo 6-0, 6-3; Jenna Moser/Katie Serock (N) def Amanda Norelli/Natalie Bruno 6-2, 6-2; Lauren DeFelice/Maxx Zimmer(N) def Dana Ketterl/Lauren Murphy 6-1, 6-1.

Newtown 7, Bethel 0

Singles – Lauren Nemeth (N) def Tiffany Chambers 6-0, 6-1; Sara Salbu (N) def Jessica Greenwood 6-2, 7-5; Kristine Salbu (N) def Precilia Leon 6-0, 6-0; Ashley Gabor (N) def Rebecca Hill 6-0, 6-0. Doubles – Jill Tanner/Emily Fields def Thea Katz/Emily Schneider 6-0, 6-3; Katie Serock/Jenna Moser def Jessica Murphy/Leslie Polseno 6-1, 6-0; Charlotte Manos/Katie Freeman (N) def Grace Chen/Callie Cazlan 6-3, 6-0.

Newtown 7, Bunnell 0

Singles – Lauren Nemeth (N) def Basilika Cyfeku 6-1, 6-3; 2 Sarah Salbu (N) def Tori Ault 6-2, 2-6, 6-1; Kristene Salbu (N) def Amanda Poniatowski 6-1, 6-1; Ashley Gabor (N) def Devan Alusik 6-2, 6-0. Doubles – Jill Tanner/Emily Fields (N) def S. Smigel/S Dolph 6-0, 6-3; Katie Serock/Jenna Moser (N) def P. Rudd/K. Eng 6-0, 6-0; Maxx Zimmer/Charlotte Manos (N) def K. Ortiz/K. Vimini 6-0, 6-0.

Newtown 7, Bethel 0

Singles – Lauren Nemeth (N) def Jessica Greenwood (B) 6-0, 6-0; Sarah Salbu (N) def Precilia Leon (B) 6-0, 6-0; Ashley Gabor (N) def Meghan Kawallines (B) 6-0, 6-0; Kristene Salbu (N) def Rebecca Hill (B) 6-0, 6-0. Doubles – Jill Tanner/Emily Fields (N) def Thea Katz/Emily Schneider (B) 6-0, 6-0; Katie Serock/Jenna Moser (N) def Jessica Murphy/Leslie Polseno (B) 6-0, 6-0; Erin Nemeth/Nakia McFadden (N) def Grace Chen/Callie Cazlen (B) 6-0, 6-2.

BASEBALL

Newtown 6, Bethel 4; Newtown 11, Stratford 3

Let them swing.

Head coach Carl Strait came to the realization on Tuesday afternoon – with the Newtown High School baseball team facing a 3-0 deficit against Stratford – that he had to take the shackles off the bats and let the kids swing.

“All week we practiced our two-strike swings, shortening it up, and it wasn’t working (against Stratford),” said coach Strait. “We’re down 3-0 in the fifth and they asked me if they could start swinging again.”

They did and what happened was an 11-run, fifth-inning explosion that led the now 2-0 Nighthawks to an 11-3 win over Stratford.

Junior first baseman Brian Cullinan started the assault with a leadoff homer that sailed well beyond the fence. Two batters later, junior Jesse Furphy belted a two-run homer to knot the game up, 3-3.

From then on, there was no containing the Newtown bats.

Junior outfielder Joe DeVellis and senior co-captain Peter Oggeri smacked two-run doubles and junior shortstop Mike Tibbetts – aside from playing a spectacular defensive game in the hole – singled in a pair of runs.

Senior co-captain Steve Marks also drove in a run.

Junior pitcher Ryan McGrath got the start and tossed a solid game, mixing up his pitches, speeds and arm angles and holding the Red Devils scoreless through four. In the top of the fifth, the Devils loaded the bases against McGrath, who then gave way to Marks. After allowing a three-run triple to Tim Martin, Marks settled down and held Stratford scoreless the rest of the way while whiffing four batters.

The win came after the ‘Hawks opened the season with a 6-4 come-from-behind, extra-inning victory over Bethel. A bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch in the top of the ninth – along with three scoreless innings thrown by Dan Murdoch – lifted the locals to the win.

The ‘Hawks were facing a 4-3 deficit in the top of the seventh when Tibbetts singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a ground out. He then scored on a two-out wild pitch to send the game into extra frames.

In the ninth, Joe DeVellis beat out an infield hit and was bunted over to second by Tibbetts. Ryan McGrath was walked to load the bases and Steve Vichiola was walked to give Newtown the lead. A wild pitch added an insurance run.

The ‘Hawks will travel to Cooperstown, New York, this week to host Pomperaug on Doubleday Field nearby the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On Monday, the ‘Hawks will be in Weston for an April break doubleheader before heading to Redding on Wednesday to take on Joel Barlow.

Newtown 6, Bethel 4

BATTERIES: Newtown – Steve Marks, Dan Murdoch (7) and Pete Oggeri; Bethel – Ben Bryan, Josh Vaghi (4), Sean Trafford (8) and Adam Pratt. WP: Dan Murdoch (1-0). LP: Sean Trafford (0-1). SO: Steve Marks 4, Dan Murdoch 4, Ben Bryan 5, Josh Vaghi 4, Sean Trafford 3. BB: Ben Bryan 3, Sean Trafford 2, Josh Vaghi. 2B: Ryan McGrath (N), Randy Lienhardt (B), Cody Sestito (B). RBI: Newtown – Joe DeVellis, Mike Tibbetts, Steve Vichiola, Brian Shimko; Bethel – Sean Camilli, Adam Pratt, Ben Bryan.

Newtown 11, Stratford 3

BATTERIES: Stratford – Jay Cuff, Matt Anzolletti (5), Anthony Padilla (5) and John Sulzicki; Newtown – Ryan McGrath, Steve Marks (5) and Pete Oggeri. WP: Steve Marks (1-0). LP: Jay Cuff (0-1). SO: Jay Cuff, Anthony Padilla, McGrath. BB: Matt Anzolletti 2, Anthony Padilla, Ryan McGrath. 2B: Joe Devellis, Peter Oggeri. 3B: Tim Martin (S). HR: Brian Cullinan (N), Jesse Furphy (N). RBI: Stratford – Tim Martin 2, Craig Romano. Newtown – Joe Devellis 2, Mike Tibbetts 2, Peter Oggeri 2, Jesse Furphy 2, Brian Cullinan, Steve Marks.

GIRLS TRACK

Newtown 76.5, Joel Barlow 73.5; Newtown 94, Pomperaug 56; Newtown 103, Bethel 47

The Newtown High School girls’ track and field team might not have expected to sweat out any quad meets in 2006, but it had to sweat one out on Monday in Southbury.

Although the Lady Nighthawks – two-time defending South-West Conference champions – rolled to wins over Pomperaug (94-56) and Bethel (103-47), they narrowly escaped with a two-and-a-half-point win over Joel Barlow (76.5-73.5).

Senior Alex Konneker was a triple winner, battling Cram of Joel Barlow to capture the 100-meter dash (12.8), 200-meter dash (26.4) and 400-meter dash (59.4). Senior co-captain Ciara Simek was the only other individual winner, taking the triple jump with a leap of 30-10. The ‘Hawks only won two other events on the afternoon – the 4x800 relay (with a state-qualifying time of 10:33) and the 4x100 relay.

Meanwhile, senior co-captain Sadie Ball finished second in the half-mile (2:32) and mile (5:34) while Michelle Brennan came in second in the two-mile race (12:09) and senior co-captain Jess Cosgrove came in second in the discus (95-6).

Following the April break, the ‘Hawks will host Brookfield and Immaculate on Monday, April 24.

TRACK EVENTS

4x800 relay – 1. Newtown 10:33, 2. Barlow 10:57, 3. Pomperaug 11:17; 4x100 relay – 1. Newtown 51.5, 2. Pomperaug 52.8, 3, Bethel 54.3; 100 high hurdles – 1. Gould (JB) 17.6, 2. Strumolo (P) 19.3, 3. Wheeler (JB) 19.3; 100 dash – 1. Konneker (N) 12.8, 2. Cram (JB) 12.8, 3. Stocking (P) 13.3; 1600 meters – 1. Sullivan (P) 5:31, 2. Ball (N) 5:34, 3. McNamara (JB) 5:45; 400 meters – 1. Konneker (N) 59.4, 2. Cram (JB) 60.6, 3. Celini (JB) 62.0; 300 intermediate hurdles – 1. Stocking (P) 47.0, 2. Gould (JB) 50.4, 3. Pattison (P) 53.0; 800 meters – 1. Sullivan (P) 2:30, 2. Ball (N) 2:32; 3. R. Ball (N) 2:35; 200 dash – 1. Konneker (N) 26.4, 2. Cram (JB) 26.4, 3. Celini (JB) 27.8; 3200 meters – 1. Theleen (P) 12:08, 2. Brennan (N) 12:09, 3. Hayden (P) 12:10; 4x400 relay – 1. Barlow 4:16, 2. Newtown 4:17, 3. Pomperaug 4:24.

FIELD EVENTS

Pole vault – 1. Owen (JB) 8-0, 2 Kesten (P) 7-0, 3. Mesko (N) 6-6; Long jump – 1. Czernik (JB) 14-11, 2 Critelli (P) 14-10.5, 3. Simek (N) 14-10; Triple jump – 1. Simek (N) 30-10, 2. McKenna (P) 29-5.5, 3. Czernik (JB) 29-4; High jump – 1. Soldano (B) 4-10, 2. Ahlberg (JB) 4-8, 2. Gaston (N) 4-8; Javelin – 1. Closius (B) 111-11, 2. Uchida (P) 86-2, 3. Graf (B) 82-6; Shot put – 1. Brandt (B) 29-2, 2. Davis (JB) 27-4, 3. Gerardi (JB) 27-0; Discus – 1. Graf (B) 107-3, 2. Cosgrove (N) 95-6, 3. Brandt (B) 92-0.

BOYS TRACK

Newtown 94.5, Barlow 55.5; Newtown 76, Bethel 74; PHS 88.5, Newtown 61.5

After a somewhat radical re-shaping of the roster, the prospectus for the 2006 season was a little uncertain for the Newtown High School boys’ track and field team.

But head coach Ed Obloj was certainly encouraged on Tuesday afternoon after the Nighthawks won two of three in a quad meet at Bethel High School – defeating Bethel (76-74) and Joel Barlow (94.5-55.5) while falling to Pomperaug (88.5-61.5).

“With so many freshman and sophomores on the team,” said coach Obloj, “I wasn’t sure how well we would do and this is a little bit unexpected. It was a nice start.”

What wasn’t all that unexpected was the strength of the distance crew, which swept the 800 meters as Charlie Baldour, Scott Nichols and Jake Sullivan went 1-2-3. Zack Schwartz finished first in the 3,200 meters (and second in the 1,600 meters) while the 4x800 relay took first with a five-second win over Joel Barlow.

Ryan Morrissey (400 meters – 2nd), Dan Tichon (400 meters – 3rd), Jeff Lipnick (300 hurdles – 2nd), Josh Tenenbaum (discus – 2nd) and Chris Nuelle (pole vault – 2nd) had solid performances for the Nighthawks.

After the April break, the ‘Hawks will return to the track when they host Brookfield and Immaculate on Tuesday, April 25.

TRACK EVENTS

4x800 relay – 1. Newtown 8:42.7, 2. Joel Barlow 8:47.5, 3. Bethel 8:58; 4x100 relay – 1. Pomperaug 45.3, 2. Newtown 46.7, 3. Joel Barlow 50.1; 100 high hurdles – 1. DaSilva (P) 16.6, 2. Cieri (JB) 16.8, 3. Lipnick (N) 18.0; 100 dash – 1. Heinald (JB) 11.8, 2. Tidgwell (P) 11.8, 3. Ashbolt (N) 12.2; 1,600 meters – 1. Isselec (B) 4:39, 2. Schwartz (N) 4:40, 3. Levene (JB) 4:47; 400 meters – 1. Piccolo (P) 53.6, 2. Morrissey (N) 55.1, 3. Tichon (N) 56.2; 300 intermediate hurdles – 1. DaSilva (P) 43.6, 2. Lipnick (N) 43.8, 3. Salvagne (P) 44.9; 800 meters – 1. Baldour (N) 2:05.3, 2. Nichols (N) 2:05.8, 3. Sullivan (N) 2:09.1; 200 dash – 1. Tidgwell (P) 25.2, 2. Heinald (JB) 25.4, 2. Pennarola (N) 25.4; 3,200 meters – 1. Schwartz (N) 10:23.3, 2. Levene (JB) 10:26.3, 3. Isselec (B) 10:26.6; 4x400 relay – 1. Bethel 3:42.4, 2. Pomperaug 3:42.8, 3. Newtown 3:49.

FIELD EVENTS

High jump – 1. McDonald 6-2, 2. Curtis (B) 6-0, 3. Hodza (B) 5-8; Long jump – 1. McDonald (P) 20-11, 2. Piccolo (P) 19-9.5, 3. Heinald (JB) 18-8.5; Javelin – 1. Boyarsky (B) 160-8, 2. Bycciayelli (P) 158-3, 3. Sanicola (P) 143-4; Discus – 1. Boyarsky (B) 112-3, 2. Tenenbaum (N) 105-2, 3. Bannon (P) 102-9; Triple jump – 1. McDonald (P) 41-6, 2. Piccolo (P) 39-7, 3.Curtis (B) 39-0; Pole vault – 1. Cirnic (B) 11-6, 2. Nuelle (N) 10-6, Blackstock (B) 10-6.

SOFTBALL

Newtown 11, Pomperaug 0; Greenwich 1, Newtown 0; Lauralton Hall 3, Newtown 1; Newtown 2, Bunnell 1

After a shaky defensive showing against Lauralton Hall, the Newtown High School softball team came up with a web gem on Tuesday afternoon and improved to 2-2 with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Bunnell.

The Lady Nighthawks opened with a dominating 11-0 win over Pomperaug, but then suffered losses to Greenwich (1-0) and Lauralton Hall (3-1) to fall to 1-2. Some sparkling defense, some timely hitting, and a solid pitching performance by Stacy Broughton got the ‘Hawks back into the winning side of the ledger.

Bunnell took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a single, sacrifice, passed ball and sacrifice fly but was then held in check the rest of the way by Broughton, who allowed just three hits while walking one and striking out two and retiring the last nine batters she faced.

The ‘Hawks knotted the game in bottom of the sixth as freshman Nora Lynn Shimko singled (the second of her two hits), stole second, and came home on a sacrifice fly by Ashley Ferris. The locals took the lead in the top of the seventh after Jenna Van Waalwijk doubled, advanced to third on a single by Melissa Fracker (2-for-3 on the day) and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jaclyn Van Waalwijk.

The win came a day after the ‘Hawks stumbled their way through a couple of tough defensive innings in Milford, staking Lauralton Hall to a 3-0 lead it never relinquished. Still, in the top of the seventh the ‘Hawks had an opportunity to get back into the game after Fracker singled, stole second, and reached third on a passed ball. Jenna Legros was walked and Shimko singled in Fracker with Newtown’s first – and only – run.

Katie Schmidt reached on a fielder’s choice grounder to load the bases but a strikeout and pop out to short ended the threat. The ‘Hawks had just four hits in the game, two coming off the bat of Shimko and one each off the bats of Sammie Ciaccia and Kelley Tenney.

Last Saturday, the ‘Hawks were limited to four hits in a 1-0 loss to Greenwich. The Lady Cardinals broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth, but the ‘Hawks had a chance in the top of seventh to rally back. Tenney led off with a single, but was erased on a fielder’s choice grounder by Fracker. After Lisa Alberico was walked to put two runners on, the Cardinals secured the final out and the victory.

In the last three games, the ‘Hawks have had to work hard for their runs – but not so in the season-opener against Pomperaug. The locals banged out 11 hits and scored seven times in the bottom of the fifth to roll to an 11-0 win.

Ciaccia was 2-for-5 with a triple and three RBI while Ferris was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Tenney and Jenna Van Waalwijk each had a pair of hits and an RBI while Shimko reached base three times and scored two runs.

Legros got the start and carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning before surrendering a one-out single to Sarah Byers. It was the only hit the freshman pitcher would allow as she walked four batters and struck out five for her first varsity win.

The locals will be in Brookfield on Saturday for an 11 am tilt and will return home Monday to host Weston before heading out to Redding on Wednesday for a 12 noon contest against Joel Barlow.

Newtown 11, Pomperaug 0

BATTERIES: Pomperaug – Casey Foster, Beth Finacune (5) and Melissa Cooling. Newtown – Jenna Legros and Ashley Ferris. WP: Jenna Legros (1-0). LP: Casey Foster (0-1). SO: Jenna Legros 5, Beth Finacune. BB: Jenna Legros 4, Casey Foster 4, Beth Finacune 5. 2B: Ashley Ferris (N). 3B: Sam Ciaccia (N). RBI: Newtown – Sammie Ciaccia 4, Melissa Fracker 2, Ashley Ferris, Joanna Barry, Jenna VanWaalwijk, Kelly Tenney.

Greenwich 1, Newtown 0

BATTERIES: Newtown – Stacy Broughton, Jenna Legros (6) and Ashley Ferris; Greenwich – M. Leonard and E. Fox. WP: M. Leonard. LP: Jenna Legros (1-1). SO: Stacy Broughton 4, M. Leonard 2. BB: Jenna Legros, M. Leonard. 2B: E. Fox (G). RBI: Lauralton Hall – E. Fox.

Lauralton Hall 3, Newtown 1

BATTERIES: Newtown – Jenna Legros and Ashley Ferris; Lauralton Hall – Meggie Blozzon and Toni Penick. WP: Meggie Blozzon (1-1). LP: Jenna Legros (1-2). SO: Jenna Legros 3, Meggie Blozzon 5. BB: Jenna Legros 3, Meggie Blozzon 4.

Newtown 2, Bunnell 1

BATTERIES: Bunnell – Rachel Babineau and Katie Seres. Newtown – Stacey Broughton and Ashley Ferris. WP: Stacy Broughton (1-0). LP: Rachel Babineau. SO: Stacy Broughton 2, Rachel Babineau 6. BB: Stacy Broughton, Rachel Babineau. 2B: Jenna VanWaalwijk (N). RBI: Newtown – Ashley Ferris, Nora Lynn Shimko. Bunnell – Mallory Nomack.

BOYS TENNIS

Pomperaug 5, Newtown 2; Newtown 5, Bunnell 2; Newtown 6, Bethel 1

After a less than auspicious start to the 2006 season, the Newtown High School boys’ tennis team needed to bounced back.

And bounce back it did with a 5-2 win over Bunnell and a 6-1 win over Bethel on Tuesday afternoon to improve to 2-1. But the locals will have to cool their heels for a little bit before trying to recapture the momentum when they return to the court against Notre Dame.

The ‘Hawks broke ground on the new season with a swift 5-2 loss to Pomperaug at the Treadwell Park courts. The only wins came at No. 2 doubles where Adam Wenick and Evan Batzer battled to a tough 6-4, 6-3 win over Ben Horn and Kyle Layton and No. 3 doubles where Adam Feldman and Dave Wilkins battled to a tough 6-3, 6-3 win over Colby Collins and Nick Proach.

The singles crew had a rough time against the Panthers.

“Pomperaug’s singles players are perhaps the strongest in the conference at every level, and losing to them was no disgrace,” said head coach Marty Margulies. “I was encouraged by the performance of the second and third doubles teams. The second doubles, consisting of two freshmen, stood up remarkably under pressure, fending off a strong challenge to win their debut.”

The ‘Hawks rebounded with a 5-2 win over Bunnell as the doubles tandems swept through the competition and Chris Meier and Mario Roehrs won their first singles matches of the year. For Roehrs, it was the first singles win over his career.

“Like all of our recent matches against Bunnell this contest was a close one,” said coach Margulies. “The decisive first and third doubles matches ending at almost exactly the same moment and both showed me gutsy clutch play after their opponents drew even in the second sets of both matches.”

The ‘Hawks had an easier time against Bethel on Tuesday afternoon at the NHS courts as Drew Adamek and Max Margulies recorded their first wins of the season at No. 1 and No. 3 singles, respectively. Justin Pacheco, Alex DeBrantes and Dan Cassidy got a taste of varsity tennis in the doubles rotation as Pacheco teamed with Ben Wicki for a tough, hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4) win over Mike Parenti and Ben Eaton.

“Bethel had an inexperienced but talented young team that will get stronger as it matures,” said coach Margulies, “and it extended our players more than the final score suggests … especially in the doubles.”

Pomperaug 5, Newtown 2

Singles – Elie Bilmes (P) def Drew Adamek 6-1, 6-2; Connor MacNeish (P) def Chris Meier 6-0, 6-1; Joe Shannon (P) def Max Margulies 6-0, 6-0; Mike Beatty (P) def Mario Roehrs 6-1, 6-2. Doubles – Alex Alfano/Connor Wildman (P) def Mike Coster/Jim Wilkins 6-1, 6-2; Adam Wenick/Evan Batzer (N) def Ben Horn/Kyle Layton 6-4, 6-3; Adam Feldman/Dave Wilkins (P) def Colby Collins/Nick Proach 6-3, 6-3.

Newtown 5, Bunnell 2

Singles – Matt Lance (N) def Drew Adamek 7-5, 6-2; Chris Meier (N) def Brian Fielding 6-3, 6-3; Emmett Garber N) def Max Margulies 7-6 (10-8), 3-6, 6-3; Mario Roehrs (N) def Max Wojcicki 6-4, 6-4. Doubles – Mike Coster/Jim Wilkins (N) def Matt Esposito/Loreto Quintiliano 3-6, 6-2, 7-5; Adam Wenick/Evan Batzer (N) def Matt Miller/Rob Deluca 6-0, 6-2; Adam Feldman/Dave Wilkins (N) def Andrew Hurley/Dan Romanielli 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

Newtown 6, Bethel 1

Singles – Drew Adamek (N) def John Lin, B, 6-0, 6-1; Chris Meier (N) def Mike Blades, B, 6-0, 6-1; Max Margulies (N) def Vinay Purohit, 6-1, 6-1; Mario Roehrs (N) def Taylor Adams, B, 6-0, 6-0. Doubles – Mike Coster/Jim Wilkins (B) def Alec Olszewski/Eric Ferreira 6-4, 6-2; Ben Wicki/Justin Pacheco (B) def Mike Parenti/Ben Eaton 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4); Jason Baron/Dan Kraver (B) def Alex DeBrantes/Dan Cassidy 6-1, 7-5.

GOLF

Newtown 162, New Milford 189; Weston 162, Newtown 181; Newtown 159, Brookfield 170

From the look of the first two holes at the Newtown Country Club on Tuesday afternoon, the Newtown High School golf team had not shaken off the effects of its sub-par performance at Aspetuck Country Club the day before.

But the Nighthawks did shake it off and captured a 159-170 win over Brookfield to improve to 2-1 on the season.

Pat Daly earned medallist honors with a 4-over-par 38. Dave McLaughlin and Steve Oberstadt carded rounds of 5-over 39 while Matt Taylor recovered from a rough start for a solid 8-over 42. Christian Lamere led the Bobcats with his 5-over 39.

The ‘Hawks opened the 2006 season last Thursday with a comfortable 162-189 win over New Milford as McLaughlin earned medallist honors with a 3-over 37. Billy McCann carded a 4-over 38 as Daly (43) and Taylor (44) rounded out the scoring. The Green Wave, though, were stymied by the NCC layout as Ryan Poeti recorded the best score for the visitors, a 7-over 41.

On Monday, the ‘Hawks traveled to Aspetuck Valley Country Club in Weston – which has a much tougher slope rating that the friendly environs of the NCC. McCann carded a 5-over 41, but Oberstadt (45), Taylor (47) and McLaughlin (48) struggled a bit. Joe Fucigna earned medallist honors with a superb round of 1-over 37.

The ‘Hawks were at Heritage Country Club in Southbury on Wednesday to take on Pomperaug and will be at Candlewood Valley Country Club on Monday and Oronoque Country Club on Tuesday to take on New Milford and Bunnell, respectively. The locals will return home Thursday to host Notre Dame.

BOYS LACROSSE

Newtown 9, Immaculate 6; Norwalk 11, Newtown 4; Joel Barlow 15, Newtown 2

Head coach Brian Micena hopes to bring the Newtown High School boys’ lacrosse program back to the level of 2002 and 2003 when the Nighthawks last captured South-West Conference championships.

But the project has gotten off to a rocky start in 2006. After a 9-6 season-opening win over a fledgling Immaculate program, the locals have dropped decisions to Norwalk (11-4) and Joel Barlow (15-2), the defending SWC Division I champion.

In the win over Immaculate, Brian Reszoly notched four goals as Grant Speer, Travis Speer, Brendan Martin and Kevin Regan all scored solo goals. Reszoly – a freshman – added an assist to the effort.

And after falling in a non-league game at Norwalk where Grant Speer scored twice and Travis Speer and Tyler Law scored once each, the ‘Hawks were blasted by their arch-rivals, the Falcons, in Redding on Tuesday afternoon. Only Reszoly and Martin scored goals as the locals were out-shot, 35-10. Nick Billy and Adam Lanehart scored four goals apiece for the Falcons.

The ‘Hawks will travel to Branford on Saturday night for another tough, non-league game before returning home Tuesday afternoon to host Weston.

Newtown 9, Immaculate 6

GOALS: Newtown – Brian Reszoly 4, Grant Speer, Travis Speer, Brendan Martin, Kevin Regan; Immaculate – Colin Neugold 3, Nick Seidel 2, Scott Loftus. ASSISTS: Newtown – Brian Reszoly; Immaculate – Ryan Crean, Dan Caravella.

Joel Barlow 15, Newtown 2

GOALS: Newtown – Brendan Martin, Brian Reszoly; Joel Barlow – Nick Billy 4, Adam Lanehart 4, Kevin Donahue 2, Sean Delaney 2, Kevin Kelly 2, Eric Miller. ASSISTS: Joel Barlow – K. Donahue 3, Billy, Lanehart, Kelly, Delaney, Ryan Ogiela, Alex White. SHOTS: Newtown – 10; Joel Barlow – 35. SAVES: Newtown – Drew Harmata 11; Joel Barlow – Mike Grinnell 5.