Newtown Swimmers Pound Lauralton Hall, Extend Winning Streak To 26

By Kim J. Harmon

The 2005 fall season is slightly more than three weeks old and the eight Newtown High School teams (four of which are defending SWC and/or CIAC champions) have combined to post a 38-7-1-1 record.

For math aficionados out there, that is a staggering .809 winning percentage.

The swim team remained undefeated and expanded its dual meet winning streak to 26 when it pounded former powerhouse Lauralton Hall; the girls’ soccer team ran its winning (and shutout streak) to six after blanking New Milford and New Fairfield; the boys’ soccer team, although drawing New Milford 0-0, remained unbeaten.

It was a week of extending streaks … and a week of breaking streaks, too, as the volleyball team snapped a three-match losing streak with a 3-0 sweep of Stratford.

Read on –

SWIMMING

Newtown 104, Lauralton 77

It wasn’t long ago – just two years – that the Newtown High School girls’ swim team vanquished Lauralton Hall, its toughest foe, for the first time ever.

Seeing as how Lauralton Hall was a perennial swimming powerhouse, it was, perhaps, one of the biggest wins in Newtown sports history and – lo and behold – it was reprised the following year. Except, that time the win was a little less thrilling and not nearly as dramatic as the Lady Nighthawks dominated the meet so well they were able to go unofficial in the final event.

This year – well, let’s just say the meet has suddenly become a ho-hum affair. With Dana Gnerre winning two events (the 50 and 100 freestyles) and Abby Atkinson (200 individual medley), Melissa Metzger (diving) and Maricate Conlon (100 backstroke) winning one event apiece, Newtown cruised to a 104-77 win.

Sure, the meet didn’t have the same excitement it used to have, but that didn’t mean the ‘Hawks weren’t up for it.

“We heard that Lauralton Hall had already lost a meet, but these kids don’t get complacent,” said head coach Mary Atkinson. “Today, we had swimmers who really wanted some good times.”

There were a lot of good times and a lot of good finishes. And even if the thrill of the meet wasn’t quite what it used to be, the thrill of some of the individual events was still there.

Emma Atkinson, Annie Hull, Liz Gugino and Jax Van Waalwijk proved just that in the 200 freestyle relay when they – with Van Waalwijk swimming the anchor leg – slipped past their Lauralton Hall counterparts and captured first by just .46 seconds.

And as for fate, that particular finish put the ‘Hawks up by 46 points.

After Conlon took first in the 100 backstroke and the ‘Hawks had built up a 52-point lead, they were able to swim the 100 breastroke and 400 freestyle relay unofficially. Even so, the B relay of Liz Anne Kroon, Hull, Jen Iassogna and Van Waalwijk finished off the meet with a little extra excitement when it came in third by just .02 seconds.

With the win (and a win over Pomperaug last Friday), the ‘Hawks improved to 4-0 on the season and expanded their dual meet win streak to 26. Now with the “big” meet out of the way, but they will be looking forward with some anticipation to their season-ending confrontation with Masuk.

Besides being the last team to beat the ‘Hawks, coach Atkinson expects the Lady Panthers (who boast some unexceptional young talent) to be undefeated heading into that meet.

Now how is that for anticipation?

FOOTBALL

Brookfield 21, Newtown 7

Mistakes – three of ‘em.

Yes, all that diminished an otherwise decent effort by the Newtown High School football team last Friday night against a vaunted Brookfield team were three mistakes … an interception return for a touchdown with 2:52 left in the first period, a 28-yard touchdown pass on fourth and 10 with 4:49 left in the second period, and a 23-yard touchdown pass on fourth and seven with just six seconds left in the second period.

Even if the ‘Hawks were able to eliminate one, two or all three of those mistakes their prospects against Brookfield would have been iffy at best. Sure, the defense was strong in limiting the Bobcats to just 242 yards of total offense, but the ‘Hawks themselves amassed just 141 yards of total offense and most of it (113 yards) came through the air.

“We didn’t move the ball and (Brookfield) was playing with a short field all night,” said head coach Ken Roberts. “But our defense played very well.”

The opening kickoff was, perhaps, a portent for the Nighthawks as starting center Joe Greenfield was knocked out of the game (and sent to the hospital) with a knee injury. Greenfield is a key member of the offensive line and without him, the ‘Hawks had an even harder time moving the football against a very stingy Bobcat defense.

Still, late in the first period the ‘Hawks appeared to be on the move after picking up their initial first down of the game. But a moment later Scott Lutrus of Brookfield intercepted a pass from quarterback Tucker Kass and raced 55 yards for a touchdown to give the Bobcats a 6-0 lead.

But the Newtown defense got some big hits from guys like Joe DeVellis, Grant Speer, Kevin Regan and, most notably, Max Reed who registered 13 tackles and three assisted tackles.

“He played as well as you can possibly play,” said coach Roberts.

Together, the defense kept the Bobcats from mounting any serious offensive threats – that is, until late in the second quarter. Brookfield quarterback Billy Thompson was just 6-of-10 for 75 yards in the game, but with 4:49 left in the first half he hit Chase Triebt with a 28-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-10 and with just six seconds left he hit Lutrus with a 23-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-seven to put the ‘Cats ahead, 21-0.

The ‘Hawks finally started moving the football in the second half. Kass spread the ball around to DeVellis (six grabs on the night), Joe Bowen and Gary Andrews, but the big throw was a 34-yard seam pass to Grant Speer with 4:47 left in the third period.

It was all the ‘Hawks could manage, though. Even though the defense scooped up three fumbles in the second half and DeVellis blocked a punt with 7:21 left to play, the ‘Hawks were unable to take advantage of any of those Brookfield missteps.

On Friday, the ‘Hawks will host Joel Barlow. The two teams appear starkly similar – both are 2-1-0 overall and while the Falcons have out-scored their opponents 58-34, the ‘Hawks have out-scored theirs 59-28.

“I think we’re very evenly matched,” said coach Roberts. “It will be a good game.”

Kick off is slated for 7 pm.

Brookfield 21, Newtown 7

SCORING

First Quarter: B – Scott Lutrus 55 interception return (kick failed). Second Quarter: B – Chase Treibt 28 pass from Billy Thompson (Triebt pass from Thompson); B – Lutrus 23 pass from Thompson (John McGuinness kick). Third Quarter: N – Grant Speer 34 pass from Tucker Kass (John Nelson kick).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Newtown – Tucker Kass 6-11, Bill Beatty 5-9, Chris Potter 7-8 (TOTALS 18-28); Brookfield – Scott Lutrus 22-91, John D’Alessandro 9-35, John Staugaitis 5-26, Billy Thompson 1-1, Mike Perrone 1-1, Chase Treibt 1-minus 1, Charlie Calovich 3-minus 2 (TOTAL: 42-151). Passing: Newtown – Tucker Kass 10-30-1 for 117 yards, Steve Kean 0-1-0 for 0 yards; Brookfield – Billy Thompson 6-10-0 for 75 yards, Scott Lutrus 1-1-0 for 16 yards. Receiving: Newtown – Joey DeVellis 6-57, Grant Speer 1-34, Joe Bowen 2-15, Gary Andrews 1-7; Brookfield – Chase Treibt 3-43, Scott Lutrus 2-25, Billy Thompson 1-16, Charlie Calovich 1-7.

GIRLS SOCCER

Newtown 7, New Milford 0; Newtown 4, Lauralton Hall 0

Casey Frobey is making up for lost time.

After missing the first five games with a stress fracture in her leg, the senior forward returned to the field last week and in wins over New Milford (7-0) and Lauralton Hall (4-0) has registered four goals and an assist.

The Lady Nighthawks improved to 6-1-0 overall. After dropping a tough, 3-2, decision to Masuk on opening day back in September, the ‘Hawks have registered six consecutive shutouts.

Freshman goaltender Emily Kluga has recorded all six of those shutouts and has been the beneficiary of some terrific defensive efforts by senior co-captain Tara Gaston, junior Kristi Nowak and sophomore Gabby Nastri … all in the absence of senior co-captain Kyla Miles, who is expected to return to the field soon.

Meanwhile, freshmen Tania Domingos and Kasey Schulz continued to stand out for the ‘Hawks on the offensive side of the field. In the two wins, Domingos scored two goals and assisted on three others while Schulz scored two goals.

Senior co-captain Alex Konneker added a goal and four assists to help power up the offense in the two wins.

The ‘Hawks hosted Bethel on Thursday night at Blue and Gold Stadium and will host Notre Dame on Saturday at Treadwell Park. Then comes a rematch with Masuk on Tuesday, October 11, at 7 pm … and this time, it’s a league game.

Newtown 7, New Milford 0

GOALS: Newtown – Casey Frobey 2, Tania Domingos, Alex Konneker, Darcy Fiscella, Kasey Schulz, Brittany Papaj. ASSISTS: Newtown – Tania Domingos, Casey Frobey, Monica Warek. SHOTS: New Milford – 6; Newtown – 18. SAVES: New Milford – Samantha Lurcott 10; Newtown – Emily Kluga 6, Jessica Halloran 0. CORNER KICKS: Newtown – 2.

Newtown 4, Lauralton Hall 0

GOALS: Newtown – Casey Frobey 2, Kasey Schulz, Tania Domingos. ASSISTS: Newtown – Alex Konneker 3, Tania Domingos. SHOTS: Newtown – 8, Lauralton Hall – 3. SAVES: Newtown – Emily Kluga 3; Lauralton Hall – Kat Flaherty 3. CORNER KICKS: Newtown – 4, Lauralton Hall – 1.

FIELD HOCKEY

Newtown 2, New Fairfield 1

After a shocking offensive explosion against Joel Barlow back on September 22, the Newtown High School field hockey team found itself resorting to other means in order to secure a win against New Fairfield last Thursday.

Sam Wong scored off her own penalty corner with less than 30 seconds left in the second half to lift the Lady Nighthawks to a 2-1 win over the Lady Rebels at Blue & Gold Stadium. Lauren Babbage was credited with the assist on the winning goal as the locals improved to 3-1-0-1.

Co-captain Lisa Alberico put the ‘Hawks ahead in the second half, scoring off an assist from fellow captain Erin Clark. But with four minutes left to play, Kristi Cohen of New Fairfield knotted the game at 1-1 off an assist from Brie Mallon.

The locals had the advantage in penalty corners, 9-4, and that last one was the most important of all.

The ‘Hawks were in Bethel on Thursday afternoon and will travel to Haddam on Saturday to take on non-conference rival Haddam-Killingworth. And next week, after a relatively light schedule the past two weeks, the locals will battle Weston and Immaculate on Monday and Tuesday.

Newtown 2, New Fairfield 1

GOALS: Newtown – Lisa Alberico, Sam Wong; New Fairfield – Kristi Cohen.ASSISTS: Newtown – Lauren Babbage, Erin Clark; New Fairfield – Brie Mallon. SHOTS: Newtown – 6, New Fairfield – 4. SAVES: Newtown – Alissa Gross 2; New Fairfield – Kelly Macey 2. PENALTY CORNERS: Newtown – 9; New Fairfield – 4.

BOYS SOCCER

Newtown 0, New Milford 0; Newtown 8, Kolbe Cathedral 1

It may still be undefeated, but the Newtown High School boys’ soccer team realizes now it is not untouchable.

Despite racking up five wins and out-scoring opponents 26-6, the Nighthawks – ranked first in Connecticut (according to the Hartford Courant) and eighth in Region I (according to the NSCAA/adidas® rankings) – were held in check last week by New Milford.

Yes, after two overtimes sessions and 24 total shots – 14 for the Nighthawks and 10 for the Green Wave – the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Louis Ritzinger made six saves to register the shutout for Newtown while Micah Lamb made 11 saves to register the shutout for New Milford.

But the offense did what it could to make up for blank sheet when it exploded for eight goals in an 8-1 win over Kolbe Cathedral on Saturday at Blue & Gold Stadium. Chris Hoagland and Noah Kugielsky each notched a pair of goals and an assist as Nick Sando banged in a couple of goals (his first snapped a 0-0 tie and opened the floodgates).

Matt Taylor and Brian Conroy also scored while Conroy, Mark Cinquegrana and Tony Magliocco all registered assists. The ‘Hawks outshot the Cougars, 20-3, and Ritzinger needed to make just two saves.

The ‘Hawks were in Bethel on Thursday afternoon and will host Masuk on Tuesday night at Blue & Gold Stadium.

Newtown 0, New Milford 0

SHOTS: Newtown – 14; New Milford – 10. SAVES: Newtown – Louis Ritzinger 6; New Milford – Micah Lamb 11. CORNER KICKS: Newtown – 8; New Milford – 2.

Newtown 8, Kolbe Cathedral 1

GOALS: Newtown - Nick Sando 2, Noah Kugielsky 2, Chris Hoagland 2, Matt Taylor, Brian Conroy; Kolbe Cathedral – James Boursiquot. ASSISTS: Newtown – Brian Conroy, Mark Cinquegrana, Tony Magliocco, Chris Hoagland, Noah Kugielsky. SHOTS: Newtown – 20; Kolbe Cathedral – 3. SAVES: Newtown – Louis Ritzinger 2; Kolbe Cathedral – Sergio Lara 6. CORNER KICKS: Newtown – 3; Kolbe Cathedral – 0.

Junior Varsity

The Newtown High School junior varsity boys’ soccer team improved to 4-0 with a 4-0 win over New Milford. John Gouveia, Blake Barreto, Cody Cullens and Matt Wright all scored while Andrew Domingos and Matt Wright had assists.

Kyle DiNicola and Dan Smith registered the shutout … the fourth one the jayvees have turned in thus far.

VOLLEYBALL

Bunnell 3, Newtown 1; Newtown 3, Stratford 0

After dropping three matches in a row – all by a 3-1 score – the Newtown High School volleyball team got off the schneid with a 3-0 sweep of Stratford last Friday.

The ‘Hawks took advantage of a team with hid dropped four of its first six matches and posted a 25-13, 25-14, 25-18 sweep. Sophomore Morgan Knees had an opportunity to play significant minutes and registered six aces and five kills.

Christie Iwanicki and Jill Logan shared setting duties in the match and combined for 27 assists, 10 service aces, and nine kills.

Now, although the ‘Hawks dropped a 3-1 decision to undefeated Bunnell two days before, they didn’t make it easy as they fell 25-12, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20. Jenna Van Waalwijk recorded nine kills and made three blocks while Iwanicki registered 15 more assists and had four kills.

Miranda Rucinski – Newtown’s Libero (or specialized defensive) player – came up with 10 digs in the match.

The ‘Hawks were in Brookfield on Thursday and will be in Milford on Friday to take on Lauralton Hall. They will be home next Monday and Tuesday when they host Pomperaug (6:30 pm) and Notre Dame (3:30 pm).