By Kim J. Harmon

The fall season for Newtown High School sports program has been, without question, the most successful and most prolific of the entire school year.

More wins, more conference champions, more state champions and more top level college prospects have come from the fall sports program than any other and it is hard to believe that that kind of success can continue.

There are some coaches and a whole slew of players, in September of 2007, who would argue otherwise.

While some teams have suffered some deep graduation losses, there are others – i.e., girls’ cross country, girls’ soccer, field hockey and volleyball – who are confident in their ability to chase a South-West Conference championship (in the case of the lady harriers, it would be their sixth in a row).

But the fall season is upon us (it officially opened on Tuesday) and, so, let the games begin!

 

GIRLS SOCCER

Head coach: Marc Kenney

 

The girls’ soccer team has been dominant for years – almost too many to count – and common wisdom says nothing is going to change in 2007.

Despite the loss of some key defensive personnel.

Despite the transition to a new coach.

But whether or not the Lady Nighthawks can get over the hump – defeating Masuk (which it did, 2-0, in a non-league battle on Tuesday night) and/or capturing that elusive South-West Conference championship – still remains to be seen.

“When I accepted this position, people asked me if I felt any pressure to win SWC and state championships,” said first-year head coach Marc Kenney. “Initially, my answer was no. But now, after working with our three incredible seniors – Colleen Thornberg, Gabby Nastri and Megan Hansen (all captains along with junior Tania Domingos) – I do feel pressure. I want to much for them to experience something incredible in their final year.”

The Lady Nighthawks lost the strong defensive/midfield presence of players like Kristi Nowak, Erica Vacaro, Darcy Fiscella and Kyla Miles but they also return arguably the two best players in the conference.

Kasey Schulz (23 goals and 8 assists for 31 points in ’06) and Domingos (13-11-24).

“I have been impressed by their work ethic,” said coach Kenney, “but they both really just know how to play. Both are special players and they make everyone around them better – which is the ultimate compliment.”

Sophomore Ally Modzelewski (2-2-4) and Taylor Smith have impressed as defenders in the pre-season while Brittany Papaj (2-3-5) has been consistent at center-mid, where she will play with Domingos. Freshmen Lauren Meyer and Kelly Anne Brophy appear ready to make an impact while another freshman, Sara Attanasio, has been a late summer surprise while filling in for Monica Warek at flank midfield.

Junior Emily Kluga figures to be the mainstay in the net, but she has been pushed by newcomer Jenna Legros.

Look for Caleigh Boyle, Kelly Sullivan, Danielle Norris, Kristen Tanner, Kiersten Hudock and Jen Brewer to also get their opportunities on the field.

“Masuk is clearly the team to beat,” said coach Kenney. “We want what they have. We haven’t won it yet and I do hope this is the year, but I have really focused on the present. The past and the future are pretty useless to us. We can only control the next practice, the next game, and that is the mentality I am trying to instill into this program.”

Coach Kenney and the ‘Hawks got their baptism by fire on Tuesday night when they opened the 2007 season at Treadwell Park against Masuk.

That was a pretty tough challenge to open the season … but there will be many more challenges to come in the next several weeks.

 

GIRLS X-C

Head coach: Doug Russell

 

The law of averages says there will come a time when the girls’ cross country team will be, well, average.

Just not now.

Despite losing two of its front runners – Michelle Brennan and Moira Collier – the Lady Nighthawks return five of their top seven finishers (including their top two, Elise DeRoo and Jen Brill) from a year ago and have to be considered the odds-on favorite to capture their unbelievable sixth straight South-West Conference championship.

Along with DeRoo and Brill, mix in Sara Pollock, Christie Attanasio, Erin Nemeth and Katie Condon and you have a team that is every bit as intimidating as the five previous SWC champions that came before.

“When you have girls like Elise, Jen and Sara as your top three, you can’t ask for much more,” said head coach Doug Russell. “We have 43 girls on the team this year and, again, a very strong core. I think we are going to have a successful season.”

While they aim towards a sixth SWC title, the girls have even bigger fish to fry. They would like to earn another strong finish in the CIAC Class LL championships and qualify for the CIAC State Open and New England championships.

“With the group we have,” said coach Russell, “I think those are realistic goals.”

The ‘Hawks will look to runners like Keegan Frobey (winner of the SWC jayvee race a year ago) to fight for a spot in the top seven. Another dozen or so – from the freshman through senior classes – could also figure into the mix.

 

FIELD HOCKEY

Head coach: Kathy Davey

 

If there is one thing that can be said about head coach Kathy Davey, it’s that she is unerringly excited and positive about every new season.

This year, she has no cause not to be – despite losing two of her leading scorers and her assistant coach, Kim Lowell, who has been with her for the past seven years.

But the return of assistant coach Jen Huettner and the arrival of new freshman coach Amanda Hadgraft, a 2004 graduate of Newtown High School will provide coach Davey an easy transition to the new season.

The ‘Hawks finished 10-8-0-1 a year ago and reached the semi-finals of the South-West Conference tournament before succumbing to New Milford. Though the locals lost leading scorer Sam Wong (8-4-12) and Kate Datin (4-0-4) from that team, they return a very strong core.

Senior co-captain Nicole Alberico (4-0-4) will bolster the offense along with senior Steph Paproski (4-2-6). And senior co-captain Courtney Gleason (0-1-1) will provide a solid foundation along with fellow seniors Libby Feltch, goaltender Lisa Isabella, Alli Jagoe, Tina Sanchez, Caitlin Smiley, Renee Solheim (1-0-1) and Hannah Tenenbaum (0-3-3).

“As a whole, the season has begun on such a positive,” said coach Davey. “We look to be a dominant force in the SWC. Our goal, as the captains stated at our recent parents meeting, is to be the first Newtown field hockey team to win the SWC.”

Pomperaug, New Milford and Brookfield continue to be strong contenders in the conference, but Newtown is right there in that group.

How well they do will have a lot to do with the impact made by players like Taylor Barry, Alyssa Carey, Jackie Isabella, Linda Magliocco, Alyssa Robinson, Jess Balsano, Annie Fletcher, Shelly Davies, and Lisa Vendel.

But keep an eye on Tori Boushell, Nicole Butler, Devon Ferris, Mary Kate George, Rishona Hines and Taylor Truchess in the junior ranks and Kara Brown, Kelly Burton, Julie DeAngelis, Caitlin D’Eramo, Jenna Ebert, Brady Eggleston, Megan Fahy, Rachel Fatse, April Gaddis, Katy Howell, Alyssa Kucky, Molly Nostrand, Sara Phenix, Stephanie Sanchez and Kaitlin Woodard in the sophomore ranks.

The ‘Hawks already had a strong core returning (and coach Davey gives a lot of credit to the Parks and Recreation program run by Debbie Isabella and Pam Gleason). If any of those other players steps up, then watch out.

FOOTBALL

Head coach: Steve George

Decimated may be too strong a word – and to be literal about it, also inaccurate – but what better word is there to describe what happen to the football team?

“We are really young this year,” said first-year coach Steve George, who takes over for Ken Roberts, who led the Nighthawks to the brink of the CIAC Class LL state tournament last year, “and we will have a lot of new faces.”

That is an understatement. The ‘Hawks return just five starters – two on offense, three on defense, and just four all told.

Some of the losses the ‘Hawks suffered were, in a word, painful. Losing a strong passing quarterback like Tucker Kass (82-of-173 for 1,329 yards and 16 TDs) is bad enough but losing a dynamic individual like Joe DeVellis may be the toughest pill of all to swallow.

DeVellis (111 yards on 27 carries, 490 yards and five TDs on 34 catches, and more than 900 all-purpose yards with nine total TDs and a team-high 56 points) was a multi-purpose threat who could score while running the ball, catching the ball or returning kicks and was so dangerous that other teams were often desperate to keep the ball out of his hands.

But DeVellis is gone, as is leading rusher Chris Potter (505 yards rushing on 109 carries).

The ‘Hawks will also have to move on without wideout Joe Bowen (14-for-280 yards and four touchdowns), kicker John Nelson (27-of-29 in extra points) and their top two defensive players in Max Reed (team-high 58 tackles) and Kevin Regan (34.5 tackles, team-high six sacks).

With a young squad hitting the field on Saturday night against new South-West Conference foe, Nonnewaug, it will be junior Jake DeVellis setting up behind center. DeVellis took his share of snaps last season and a counter-measure to Kass and was 6-of-11 for 104 yards, but the most dangerous aspect of his game was his ability to run (239 yards on 58 carries).

He will be joined in the backfield by Tyler Tarantino (35-of-156 yards on the ground, 3-for-24 through the air, with three total touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions), who returns with the most experience on both sides of the ball. Then there is Bob Lapple (the second-leading receiver with 25 grabs for 400 yards and a team-high six TDs) bringing some experience back to the passing game.

Tim Wheeler and Pat McNulty (22 tackles, one sack) return as starters, as well, and will have to provide leadership to an inexperienced group on both sides of the ball. Kurt Nacewicz could make an impact in the backfield while Jamie Goodwick (S), a dangerous return man in his own right, Kyle McNamara (CB) and John Aminti (LB) could help bolster the defense.

“Although we are very young and inexperienced,” said coach George, “I feel that the seniors who have been overshadowed by last year’s class will get a chance to show their ability.”

Strong sophomore and junior classes will get a chance to showcase themselves, as well, and give the Nighthawks – who have dealt with a lot of change in the past several months not only on the field but on the sidelines – a chance to be competitive in the tough SWC.

BOYS SOCCER

Head coach: Brian Neumeyer

After losing guys like Marcus Tracy (Wake Forest), Marc Doherty (University of South Florida) and Brian Miles (Montclair State University) over the last couple of years, the boys’ soccer team has had to learn how to adapt.

Well, it is going to have to adapt like is has never adapted before after losing nine starters and 16 seniors all told.

“Fortunately,” said head coach Brian Neumeyer, “we have a strong group of kids are dedicated to the sport and are ready to go.”

That’s good, because the ‘Hawks lost their top five scorers from a year ago – Tony Magliocco (15-4-19), Mike Klein (6-6-12), Brian Conroy (6-3-9), Nick Sando (6-3-9) and Mike Vontobel (1-4-5) – who accounted for 34 of the team’s 39 tallies.

Two key returnees are the netminders, Dan Smith and Kyle DiNicola, who not only give the Nighthawks a solid base for their defense but, arguably, also the best goalie tandem in the South-West Conference.

It was the goalie work of Smith – and the defense in particular – that led the Nighthawks to a 0-0 draw with Joel Barlow in the season-opener on Tuesday afternoon at Treadwell Park.

“We think (goaltending) will be a strong point,” said coach Neumeyer.

Andrew Domingos (four assists) and Mat deBrantes will be key components of the team while senior Matt Wright (2-0-2) and junior Andrew Meisel (1-0-1) return as the only players to have scored a goal in 2006.

“There are eight sophomores,” said coach Neumeyer, “and all could have a chance to start. We have 20 field players who all have experience and I really think the balance is the best it’s ever been. We’re hoping that could turn into a strength of ours.”

VOLLEYBALL

Head coach: Tom Czaplinski

It lost three outstanding seniors from a 17-3 team that went to the South-West Conference semi-finals and the CIAC Class L quarterfinals, but the volleyball team is not looking to the past … it’s looking to the future.

And head coach Tom Czaplinski thinks it can be a bright future indeed.

“We want to improve on where we left off last year,” he said. “We lost three outstanding players in Christie Iwanicki, Jill Logan and Jen Blauvelt but we have eight returning players who received plenty of experience.”

The Lady Nighthawks sure got off to a nice start on Tuesday with a convincing 3-1 season-opening win over longtime nemesis Bunnell.

The whole thing starts with captains Melissa Fracker, Morgan Knees and Sarah Truitt.

Knees will be the focus as the middle hitter, but the offense will move with Truitt, the new setter. Megan Casey and Jordyn Good will hit from the corners while Fracker (libero) and Michelle Narayanan (libero) will anchor the back line defense.

Emily Loose (MH), Marley Koschel (OH), Rachel Marcucilli (OH), Jocelyn Pasko (OPP) and Ashley Rothacker (S) will provide the depth.

BOYS X-C

Head coach: Dave Foss

Two years ago the boys’ cross country team won a CIAC State Open championship and a year ago finished third at the Open.

And in both years, the Nighthawks challenged for South-West Conference titles only to come up just short of powerhouse New Milford.

That kind of success will probably be a bit difficult to repeat, considering the ‘Hawks graduated eight of their top 10 runners from last year – including Zach Schwartz, Charlie Baldour, Eric Macknight, Scott Nichols and Ryan Morrissey.

But all that doesn’t mean the ‘Hawks won’t be in the hunt again. Every year, it seems, the locals are near the front of the chase.

“Rebuilding is the key word this year,” said head coach Dave Foss, “but we could surprise a few people.”

Kevin Hoyt, Newtown’s fourth-best runner a year ago, returns with Jordan Reed, Newtown’s seventh-best runner a year ago. Hoyt is a strong No. 1, coach Foss believes, who could challenge for the SWC individual title.

Along with Reed, Brendan O’Connell, David Meyer and Alex DiNoto provide the backbone of a solid top five. Jon Zigman, Jake Burg, Adam Schankman and Tucker Grose should compete for the sixth and seventh spots.

“We also have a few strong newcomers and the makings of a strong freshman class,” said coach Foss. “I would love for the team to finish in the top three in the conference and, if things go well, make the State Opens.”

GIRLS SWIMMING

Head coach: Mary Atkinson

It wasn’t so long ago that the girls’ swimming and diving team was the best in the South-West Conference – winners of more than 30 consecutive dual meets, two straight SWC championships and one CIAC Class L state championship.

The Lady Nighthawks were knocked from that lofty perch last year after massive graduations losses and various other forms of attrition and hope to be on the rebound in 2007 with an exceedingly young team that hit the pool on Tuesday against Stratford.

This year, the locals will build with a team of 38 swimmers and divers – 17 of who are freshmen.

With that in the mind, though, the ‘Hawks will have a lot of depth. Look for seniors Annie Hull, Lucy Remitz, Emma Atkinson, Jaclyn Van Waalwijk and Missy Carroll to provide the leadership to carry the team through a tough schedule.

Liz Anne Kroon, the key junior on the team, will help lead a young group of sophomores (Megan Baylis, Katie Fragoso and Marlene Kroon) and freshmen (Krysta Gates, Leah Barrett, Maggie Atkinson, Katie Adams, Carolyn Fagerholm and Maggie Hoolehan).

The team may be young, but most come from a strong feeder program, the Newtown Torpedoes, and could very well help lift the ‘Hawks back to the top of the SWC.