By Kim J. Harmon

 

Though maybe a bit premature, doubters (and that may include some members of The Newtown Bee sports department) should take note – the Newtown High School fall sports program, a collective of eight teams, is a combined 20-3-2 through the first eight days of competitions (that’s an .840 winning percentage).

Yes, there are those who doubted the fall sports program could maintain the amazing (Amazing? How about astonishing?) level of success it has enjoyed over the last several seasons. So far, happily, the doubters are wrong.

Read on –

GIRLS SOCCER

Newtown 2, Masuk 0

Newtown 2, Joel Barlow 0

Newtown 8, New Fairfield 2

Last year the Newtown High School girls’ soccer team finishing a sparkling 17-3-1.

Delve further, though. The Lady Nighthawks were 17-0-0 against virtually every team on their schedule, but 0-3-1 against archrival Masuk.

So, there is no secret what Newtown’s Achilles heel is. But the locals took a step towards a cure last week when they opened the 2007 season with a slow-starting, but fast-finishing 2-0 win over the Lady Panthers.

Couple that with a 2-0 sidestep past Joel Barlow and an 8-2 hopscotch over New Fairfield and the girls are a very convincing 3-0-0 early in the campaign.

While the offense has been as stout as ever, the defense – the only real question mark heading into the new season – has been spectacular and not only because of its inherent skill, but also because of a new hard-nosed style that will lead to more than a few bruises (given and received) along the way.

“These girls have no fear,” said first-year head coach Marc Kenney, who takes over for the departed Rupert de los Reyes, “and they put other teams into a position where they have to worry if they are going to be hit.”

That defense held tough against a formidable Masuk team, holding the Panthers – who had 12 shots on goal – at bay and giving the offense time to find itself.

Junior Kasey Schulz notched the first goal of the season less than two minutes into the second half and junior Kelley Sullivan followed with less than five minutes left to play. Schulz, Gabby Nastri and Tania Domingos all had assists.

On Saturday, the locals – with Schulz and Domingos both scoring – pinned an identical 2-0 loss on the Lady Falcons of Barlow and, just like that, had taken care of two of their biggest challenges on the schedule.

Thanks, again, to a tough defensive effort by players like Domingos, Nastri, Colleen Thornberg, Monica Warek and goaltender Emily Kluga (14 saves and two shutouts in three games).

“We spent a lot of time on defense in practice, but we have strong senior leadership back there,” said coach Kenney, “and they know how to play together.”

That’s not to say the offense hasn’t shined. It has. Schulz has quickly re-affirmed her position as, arguably, one of the top two players in the conference (the other – guess who! – is her teammate) if not the entire state of Connecticut. Schulz already has four goals and four assists with more – no doubt – to come.

Plus, sophomore Ally Modzelewski has been a spark up front along with Megan Hansen.

After a couple of tough games, it was a nice blow to head down to New Fairfield on Monday. In the 8-2 win over the Lady Rebels, Schulz and Domingos notched two goals and two assists apiece as Nastri, Thornberg, Warek and Hansen (on a penalty kick) all scored goals while Brittany Papaj recorded a pair of assists.

Kluga made two saves and shared time in the net with junior Jenna Legros, who made four saves in her first appearance.

The locals hosted New Milford on Thursday and will be in Milford on Monday to take on Lauralton Hall. They will return home next Thursday for a clash with the high-flying Lady Wildcats of Bethel.

Newtown 2, Masuk 0

GOALS: Newtown – Kasey Schulz, Kelley Sullivan. ASSISTS: Newtown – Gabby Nastri, Kasey Schulz, Tania Domingos. SHOTS: Masuk – 12; Newtown – 8. SAVES: Masuk – Claire Pinciaro 3; Newtown – Emily Kluga 7. CORNER KICKS: Masuk – 6; Newtown – 1.

Newtown 2, Joel Barlow 0

GOALS: Newtown – Kasey Schulz, Tania Domingos. ASSISTS: Newtown – Monica Warek, Kasey Schulz. SHOTS: Newtown – 16; Joel Barlow – 5. SAVES: Newtown – Emily Kluga 5; Joel Barlow – Kara Davis 14. CORNER KICKS: Newtown – 2; Joel Barlow – 2.

Newtown 8, New Fairfield 2

GOALS: Newtown – Kasey Schulz 2, Tania Domingos 2, Megan Hasen (PK), Monica Warek, Colleen Thornberg, Gabby Nastri; New Fairfield – Megan Ryan 2. ASSISTS: Newtown – Kasey Schulz 2, Tania Domingos 2, Brittany Papaj 2. SHOTS: Newtown – 14; New Fairfield – 4. SAVES: Newtown – Emily Kluga 2, Jenna Legros 4; New Fairfield – Rose Avery 1, Sarah Bruno 9. CORNER KICKS: Newtown – 2; New Fairfield – 0.

FOOTBALL

Newtown 43, Nonnewaug 0

The fledgling Nonnewaug High School football team got a rather rude introduction to the rigors of South-West Conference last Friday night – and it was all courtesy of senior co-captain Tyler Tarantino and the Newtown Nighthawks.

Tarantino scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the Nighthawks to a 43-0 win over the Chiefs.

It was what it was – a season-opening tilt between a veteran football team coming off an 8-2 season (though having lost nine starters) and a squad entering its first-ever varsity season. And as could be expected, it was over pretty quickly.

Nonnewaug went three and out on its first series and almost immediately found itself chasing Newtown after senior kick returner Jamie Goodwick returned the first punt of the season 75 yards for a touchdown.

After the Chiefs went three and out again, the ‘Hawks took over and raced down the field on a 21-yard scramble by junior quarterback Jake DeVellis, a four-yard pass completion, a four-yard run by DeVellis, five- and 14-yard runs by junior running back Kurt Nacewicz, and then – finally – a four-yard touchdown run by Tarantino.

After another three and out by the Chiefs, Nacewicz returned a punt 33 yards and, on the first play from scrimmage, DeVellis scrambled eight yards for a touchdown.

With 3:19 left in the initial quarter, the ‘Hawks had built up a 19-0 lead. And they still had time for another touchdown, a beautiful 21-yard pass from DeVellis to senior split end Conor Martin at the back of the end zone.

With less than a minute gone in the second quarter, Tarantino was back in the end zone and the ‘Hawks were ahead 33-0. With the steady influx of sub-varsity players, all that was left – for the ‘Hawks – was a touchdown by sophomore running back Kyle O’Connor and a field goal by freshman kicker Rory Noonan, who added four extra-points on the night.

Though the ‘Hawks ran roughshod over the Chiefs, the SWC newcomers – expected to be a two-year stopgap before the new Oxford High School can join – showed some promise. Matt Huff rushed for 97 yards on 20 carries while defensive end Brian Peterson recovered a fumble.

The ‘Hawks returned to the field for a special Thursday night game (due to Rosh Hashanah) with New Fairfield. The Rebels opened the 2007 season with a 44-16 loss to Bunnell.

VOLLEYBALL

Newtown 3, Bunnell 1

Newtown 3, Tolland 0

If not for a first game meltdown – not unusual, considering the history of this particular program – the start to the 2007 season was near perfect for the Newtown High School volleyball team.

A 3-1 win over arch-rival Bunnell and a 3-0 non-conference sweep of Tolland has the Lady Nighthawks at 2-0.

The locals – with senior captain Morgan Knees doing a lot of damage in the middle and sophomore Megan Casey and junior Jordyn Good adding their two cents from the sides – took firm control of the opening game with Bunnell last week. But, as has happened many times in the past, the hits from the other side starting hitting the floor, the passes up front were less crisp, the sets were off and the spikes were long or wide.

Bunnell rallied to take the first game, 25-17.

But it was a blip.

Head coach Tom Czaplinski re-ordered his troops behind the end line at the close of game one and the girls responded, sweeping the next three games 25-15, 25-12, and 25-16 for the win. Knees had 11 kills and six aces while Good finished with 13 kills and seven digs. Behind the service line, Emily Loose recorded 11 service aces.

The Lady Nighthawks followed up on Monday on a long ride to Tolland that ended with a 25-13, 25-9, 25-13 sweep of the Lady Eagles. Knees had six kills and three blocks while Good had three kills and seven service aces. Senior co-captain Melissa Fracker chipped in with seven service aces.

It was a nice start for a team lost a few key people, but one that looks poised to challenge for the South-West Conference title.

The locals were in Weston on Wednesday and Monroe on Thursday and will return to their home court on Monday against Stratford. They will hit the road again next Wednesday for a visit with Brookfield.

BOYS SOCCER

Newtown 0, Joel Barlow 0

Pomperaug 4, Newtown 0

Newtown 6, New Fairfield 1

A 6-1 win over New Fairfield should be a nice balm to soothe the mental anguish coming from a dismal 4-0 loss to Pomperaug last week – the worst loss in the 10-year tenure of Newtown High School boys’ soccer head coach Brian Neumeyer.

After a 0-0 tie with Joel Barlow to open the 2007 season raised the hopes and boosted the confidence of a team decimated by graduation, those hopes and that confidence were put to a severe test following that loss to Pomperaug.

For the second straight game, the Nighthawks – who return just two players who scored a goal last year – failed to put one in the net. But it was a little tougher to swallow in the opener, though, as a shot against Barlow late in the second half could have easily found its way into the net if struck with more of a deft touch.

Forget about that, for now.

For a team wondering who was going to emerge as an offensive threat, Neris Halili scored three goals to lift the ‘Hawks to the 6-1 win over the Rebels. Connor Collier, Jeff DiNicola and Andrew Meisel also scored. Ryan Hudock, Collier, Meisel, Eric Thornberg and Kyle Droniak provided the assists senior goalkeeper Kyle DiNicola made four saves for the win.

With the graduation last year of Brian Conroy (Gettysburg), Mike Vontobel (Montclair State), Tony Magliocco (West Point) and Mike Klein (Roger Williams University), with a dozen others, the Nighthawks find themselves in unfamiliar territory – fighting to re-establish the program.

The tie with Joel Barlow and win over New Fairfield is a start. The fight continued this week against New Milford (on Thursday) and will continue next week against Kolbe Cathedral (Monday) and Bethel (Thursday).

Newtown 0, Joel Barlow 0

SHOTS: Joel Barlow – 6; Newtown – 8. SAVES: Joel Barlow – Cody Hickok 2; Newtown – Dan Smith 3. CORNER KICKS: Joel Barlow – 3; Newtown – 1.

Pomperaug 4, Newtown 0

GOALS: Pomperaug – Shayan Riahi 3, Dan Fabian. ASSISTS: Pomperaug – Ryan Stevens, Joe Shannon, Anthony Berlenbach. SHOTS: Pomperaug – 17; Newtown – 11. SAVES: Newtown – Kyle DiNicola and Dan Smith 12; Pomperaug – Tom Berlenbach 10. CORNER KICKS: Pomperaug – 2; Newtown – 2.

Newtown 6, New Fairfield 1

GOALS: Newtown – Neris Halili 3, Connor Collier, Jeff DiNicola, Andrew Meisel; New Fairfield – Matt Anderson. ASSISTS: Newtown – Ryan Hudock, Andrew Meisel, Connor Collier, Eric Thornberg, Kyle Droniak. SHOTS: Newtown – 19; New Fairfield – 7. SAVES: Newtown – Kyle DiNicola 4; New Fairfield – Cory Calvin 3. CORNER KICKS: Newtown – 3; New Fairfield – 1.

FIELD HOCKEY

Newtown 0, New Milford 0

Newtown 2, Brookfield 0

Although they have knocked on the door a couple of times recently, the Newtown High School field hockey team has never won a South-West Conference championship (in fact, it hasn’t won a championship of any kind in 37 years).

But a season-opening 0-0 tie with New Milford last week and a dominating 2-0 win over Brookfield on Tuesday should start a little buzz going about these Lady Nighthawks – especially the seemingly determined senior class.

Last year, the ‘Hawks lost four times to the Green Wave (the last two times were in the South-West Conference semi-finals and, then, the first round of the CIAC Class L state tournament). And though the Wave was determined to add another win last week, posting 18 shots on the cage, the ‘Hawks stymied them and escaped with the draw.

Seniors Hannah Tenenbaum and Caitlin Smiley had solid games as senior goaltender Lisa Isabella made eight saves.

On Tuesday, senior Tina Sanchez and senior Steph Paproski both scored goals with assists from senior co-captain Nicole Alberico and senior Renee Solheim. Senior co-captain Courtney Gleason played well while Isabella made a pair of saves to secure her second shutout of the season.

The ‘Hawks outshot the Bobcats, 21-3, and had a 10-3 advantage in penalty corners.

The big test – the biggest test – is on Friday when the locals host Pomperaug, which dropped a 1-0 decision to New Milford on Tuesday night. After that, the girls will be in New Fairfield next Tuesday and Bethel next Thursday.

Newtown 0, New Milford 0

SHOTS: Newtown – 6; New Milford – 18. SAVES: Newtown – Lisa Isabella 8; New Milford – Cassie Novicky 3. PENALTY CORNERS: Newtown – 7; New Milford – 19.

Newtown 2, Brookfield 0

GOALS: Newtown – Tina Sanchez, Stephanie Paproski. ASSISTS: Newtown – Nicole Alberico, Renee Solheim. SHOTS: Brookfield – 3; Newtown – 21. SAVES: Brookfield – Karynne Cabral 6, Jackie Mino 5; Newtown – Lisa Isabella 2. PENALTY CORNERS: Brookfield – 3; Newtown – 10.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Newtown 17, Masuk 44

Newtown 26, Weston 29

Newtown over Bunnell

Newtown 15, Stratford 55

Newtown 15, Oxford 55

Pomperaug 23, Newtown 36

Sure, it was supposed to be a rebuilding season for the Newtown High School boys’ cross country team, but so far – two events into the 2007 season – the Nighthawks are 5-1.

Senior co-captain Kevin Hoyt has been the No. 1 the ‘Hawks were looking for to start replacing the likes of Eric Macknight, Charlie Baldour and Scott Nichols and already has two wins under his belt with a 17:26 finish against Masuk, Weston and Bunnell last week in Monroe and a 16:45 finish against Pomperaug, Stratford and Oxford on Tuesday in Southbury.

In the season-opening sweep last week, Hoyt, Jordan Reed (18:16), David Meyer (18:16), Alex DiNoto (18:16) and Tucker Grose (19:31) were the top five Newtown finishers. That was the same group to finish as Newtown’s top five on Monday, though in a slightly different order – Hoyt, Meyer (17:33), DiNoto (17:47), Reed (18:05) and Grose (18:42).

The Nighthawks will be at Tarrywile State Park in Danbury next week to take on New Fairfield, Notre Dame and Immaculate.

Newtown 17, Masuk 44; Newtown 26, Weston 29

INDIVIDUALS: 1. Kevin Hoyt (N) 17:26, 2. Steven Piscatelli (W) 17:53, 3. Christopher Kalinas (W) 18:02, 4. Jordan Reed (N) 18:16, 5. David Meyer (N) 18:16, 6. Alex DiNoto (N) 18:16, 7. Tom Levene (W) 18:51, 8. Tom Kelly (M) 18:52, 9. Patrick Boyd (M) 18:53, 10. Deeger Parrett (W) 19:13, 11. Steven Barber (W) 19:27, 12. Tucker Grose (N) 19:31, 14. Austin Baldour (N) 19:44, 15. Bryan Lutz (M) 19:49, 16. Zach Ellis (W) 19:49, 17. Adam Schankman (N) 19:54, 18. Jack Fischer (W) 19:55, 19. Brendan O’Connell (N) 20:06, 20. Ian Mason (N) 20:08. COURSE: 5,000 meters at Great Hollow Lake (Monroe).

Pomperaug 23, Newtown 36; Newtown 15, Stratford 55, Newtown 15, Oxford 55

INDIVIDUALS: 1. Kevin Hoyt (N) 16:45, 2. Harrison Katz (P) 17:07, 3. Phil Critelli (P) 17:27, 4. Matt Letho (P) 17:29, 5. David Meyer (N) 17:33, 6. Eric Brenn (P) 17:44, 7. Alex DiNoto (N) 17:47, 8. Austin Delaney (P) 17:56, 9. Jake Critelli (P) 18:04, 10. Jordan Reed (N) 18:05, 11. Marc Roman (P) 18:06, 12. Colin McCory (P) 19:29, 14. Tucker Grose (N) 18:42, 15. McDonald (P) 18:47, 16. Tyler Kniery (P) 18:54, 17. Jon Zigman (N) 18:54, 18. Jon Bauer (P) 18:55, 19. Austin Baldour (N) 19:01, 20. Mitch Delaney (P) 19:03. COURSE: 3.2 miles.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Newtown 17, Masuk 45

Newtown 23, Weston 47

Newtown 19, Bunnell 36

Newtown 20, Pomperaug 52

Newtown 15, Stratford 55

It really was no surprise that Jeanne Theleen of Pomperaug was the first runner to cross the finish line on Tuesday afternoon in Southbury in a South-West Conference girls’ cross country tri-meet with Newtown and Stratford.

It was also no surprise that the five-time defending Lady Nighthawks swept the event, improving to 5-0 on the season.

While Theleen did, indeed, finish first in 14:56, the next seven runners across were all from Newtown – Elise DeRoo (15:03), Jen Brill (15:10), Sara Pollock (16:05), Emily Weber (16:38), Christine Attanasio (16:40), Carolyn Gingras (16:48) and Erin Nemeth (16:58).

Don’t forget Natalie Villa, the eighth Newtown runner who came in 10th overall at 17:06.

DeRoo won the season-opening meet with Masuk, Weston and Bunnell last week, racing across the 4,000-meter course at Great Hollow Lake in Monroe in 15:49 – a full 46 seconds ahead of Emma Tobin of Weston.

Emily Weber (17:37), Gingras (17:40), Attanasio (17:44) and Nemeth (17:53) finished in the top five for Newtown but freshman Anne Martino was just off the pace, coming in 10th overall at 17:59.

The locals will be at Tarrywile State Park in Danbury next week to take on New Fairfield, Notre Dame and Immaculate.

Newtown 17, Masuk 45; Newtown 23, Weston 47

INDIVIDUALS: 1. Elise DeRoo (N) 15:49, 2. Emma Tobin (W) 16:35, 3. Sarah Griffin (W) 16:50, 4. Lauren Sara (B) 17:32, 5. Emily Weber (N) 17:37, 6. Carolyn Gingras (N) 17:40, 7. Lindsay Parshall (M) 17:44, 8. Christie Attanasio (N) 17:44, 9. Erin Nemeth (N) 17:53, 10. Anne Martino (N) 17:59, 11. Sarah Steinharter (W) 18:05, 12. Natalie Villa (N) 18:08, 13. Andie Maret (N) 18:11, 14. Keegan Frobey (N) 18:35, 15. Jacqui Kirol, (N) 18:43, 16. Julia Roth (W) 18:51, 17. Katie O’Dell (N) 19:03, 20. Charlotte Manos (N) 19:10. COURSE: 4,000 meters at Great Hollow Lake (Monroe).

Newtown 20, Pomperaug 52; Newtown 15, Stratford 55

INDIVIDUALS: 1. 1. Jeanne Theleen (P) 14:56, 2. Elise DeRoo (N) 15:03, 3. Jen Brill (N) 15:10, 4. Sara Pollock (N) 16:05, 5. Emily Weber (N) 16:38, 6. Christine Attanasio (N) 16:40, 7. Carolyn Gingras (N) 16:48, 8. Erin Nemeth (N) 16:58, 9. Emily Pattison (P) 17:04, 10. Natalie Villa (N) 17:06, 11. Jessie Johnson (P) 17:09, 12. Anne Martino (N) 17:16, 13. Scarlett O’Sullivan (N) 17:17, 14. Andi Maret (N) 17:24, 15. Catherine Ciaccio (P) 17:31, 16. Katie Whitney (P) 17:37, 17. Jacqui Kirol (N) 17:45, 18. Katie Noel (P) 17:54, 19. Charlotte Manos (N) 17:58, 20. Olivia Lawson (P) 18:00. COURSE: 2.5 miles.

SWIMMING

Newtown over Stratford

Lauralton Hall 114, Newtown 72

Senior co-captain Jaclyn Van Waalwijk earned three wins – two individual, one relay – but the decidedly young Newtown High School swim team (27 of the 38 members are underclassmen) were beaten by Lauralton Hall, 114-72, on Tuesday night.

The girls had opened the 2007 season last week with a win over Stratford at Flood Middle School, but the Lady Crusaders – a long-time nemesis – proved much more formidable. Van Waalwijk took first in the 50 freestyle (26.73) and 100 freestyle (57:07) and anchored the winning 200 freestyle relay (1:49.73) with senior co-captains Emma Atkinson, Lucy Remitz and Annie Hull taking up the first three legs of the event.

The Crusaders won nine of the 12 events.

The Lady Nighthawks hosted Bunnell on Thursday and will host Pomperaug next Tuesday. Both meets are slated to start at 4 pm.