NHS Volleyball Team Overcomes Masuk In Five-Game Thriller

By Kim J. Harmon

Postponements, cancellations, games shifted to different fields – thanks to more than a week of heavy and persistent rain, a few of the Newtown High School sports teams (the ones that play outdoors, anyway) are facing an exceedingly busy week as they try to cram in all their games before the close of the regular season.

The girls’ soccer team had four games in five days on its schedule; ditto for boys’ soccer and field hockey. The football team had its Friday night contest with Bunnell pushed to Monday, forcing upon the gridders a short week of practice as they prepare for a Saturday tilt with New Fairfield.

But the end is near.

Yes, the South-West Conference volleyball, soccer and field hockey tournaments all open next weekend and those particular Newtown teams are busy positioning themselves for a possible run at a championship.

VOLLEYBALL

Newtown 3, Masuk 2; Newtown 3, New Fairfield 0

It’s odd, but the Newtown High School volleyball team certainly hasn’t been carrying on like a team that has been without its star middle hitter for nearly two weeks.

Even with Diana Grimaldi on the floor, it might be a little hard to fathom the Lady Nighthawks putting together five consecutive sweeps and then a dramatic, 3-2, win over arch-rival Masuk.

But that is what the ‘Hawks – sans Grimaldi – have done and with the regular season winding to a close have improved to 10-3.

“Seeing (Masuk) once, losing to them and then losing Diana gave us something to play for,” said co-captain Becky Huot, who had seven kills and seven digs in the 25-20, 25-27, 25-18, 21-25, 15-13 win. “We prepared well for this match.”

Despite that preparation, the ‘Hawks were very sluggish in the opening moments of the first game but Sarah Truitt stepped in at the back line with her team down 17-13 and changed the momentum with some solid serves. Hout was strong at the net and Morgan Knees, who registered five aces on the night with a devastating top-spin serve, helped carry the ‘Hawks to the win in Game 1.

It is players like Knees, Emily Loose and now Truitt who have stepped in to fill the gap left behind by Grimaldi.

“I was hoping they would play well,” said head coach Tom Czaplinski, “but I didn’t want to expect too much because they are sophomores. But they have done very well.”

In Game 2, the ‘Hawks stormed out to a 7-1 lead before Masuk picked itself up off the court and scored the next seven points. With Jenna Van Waalwijk registering a great ace and Huot coming up with a kill, the ‘Hawks built up a 21-16 lead, but then Masuk rallied to tie the game, 23-23, and from there it was a tense battle to the finish.

The Lady Panthers were at game point, 24-23, before Jill Logan and Knees came up with a great block to even the score again. Then Knees rifled off a solid serve that Masuk couldn’t handle and the ‘Hawks themselves were at game point, 25-24.

But a serve that went long, a pass off the overhanging duct work in the gym, and a nice kill by Masuk propelled the Panthers to the win to even the match at one. The two teams then traded games to set the stage for a dramatic, fifth-game decider.

Neither Newtown nor Masuk could build any momentum in the final game, but it was the Lady Panthers who were adamant about holding on to the lead – however small it may have been. The ‘Hawks scratched out a point here and there, but couldn’t quite grab control.

That all changed when Jenn Blauvelt stepped to the service line.

With the ‘Hawks facing a 10-9 deficit, all Blauvelt did was rip out two straight aces, a hard serve that led to a kill into the net and another ace that put the ‘Hawks ahead by three, 13-10. The Panthers grabbed two points back to pull within one, but a few moments later it was Knees, in the middle, registering the block that sealed the win for the ‘Hawks.

“We knew we would have to re-direct how we do things,” said Huot. “We wouldn’t be setting in the middle all the time and we’re definitely finding out what other players can do and how we can be a better team with what we have.”

The ‘Hawks hosted Bethel on Wednesday night (after press time) and visited Bridgeport on Thursday to take on Kolbe-Cathedral. Grimaldi has been cleared to resume practicing with the team later this week and could see some action next Wednesday, against New Milford, in the regular season finale (which also happens to be Senior Night in Newtown).

SWIMMING

Newtown 96, New Fairfield 84; Newtown 100, Stratford 60

The Newtown High School swim team extended its unbeaten dual meet win streak to 30 this week with wins over New Fairfield (96-84) and Stratford (100-80).

At 8-0, the Lady Nighthawks only have Bunnell (on Friday) and Masuk (on Tuesday) left on the schedule.

Against New Fairfield, Abby Atkinson (200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke) and Dana Gnerre (50 and 100 freestyles) were double winners.

Melissa Metzger (diving), Sally Tabler (100 butterfly) and Maricate Conlon (100 backstroke) were all individual winners.

The ‘Hawks also captured all three relay events and swam the last two events unofficially.

200 medley relay – 1. Newtown (Conlon, Atkinson, Tabler, Van Waalwijk) 2:00.44, 2. New Fairfield 2:03.46, 3. Newtown (Smith, E. Atkinson, Taylor, Hull) 2:09.95. 200 freestyle – 1. Finnerty (NF) 2:02.40, 2. Iassogna (N) 2:08.09, 3. Harmonay (N) 2:18.54, 4. Murphy (NF) 2:19.48, 5. Carnali (N) 2:19.57. 200 individual medley – 1. Atkinson (N) 2:20.51, 2. Tabler (N) 2:24.33, 3. E. Atkinson (N) 2:28.97, 4. Stockmann (NF) 2:32.98, 5. Tryrar (NF) 2:33.99. 50 freestyle – 1. Gnerre (N) 25.99, 2. Van Waalwijk )N) 27.47, 3. K. Mark (NF) 27.56, 4. L. Mark (NF) 27.81, 5. Gugino (N) 28.15. Diving – 1. Metzger (N), 2. Borruso (N), 3. Kennedy (N). 100 butterfly – 1. Tabler (N) 1:06.56, 2. Conlon (N) 1:06.88, 3. Traynor (NF) 1:09.45, 4. Wlam (NF) 1:12.66, 5. Donovan (NF) 1:13.52. 100 freestyle – 1. Gnerre (N) 59.05, 2. L. Mark (NF) 1:00.71, 3. K. Mark (NF) 1:01.04, 4. Gugino (N) 1:01.55, 5. Hull (N) 1:03.23. 500 freestyle – 1. Finnerty (NF) 5:42.96, 2. Amistino (N) 5:54.38, 3. Iassogna (N) 6:02.30, 4. Harmonay (N) 6:06.20, 5. Murphy (NF) 6:17.04. 200 freestyle relay – 1. Newtown (E. Atkinson, Gugino, Van Waalwijk, Gnerre) 1:49.91, 2. New Fairfield 1:51.49, 3. New Fairfield 1:58.07. 100 backstroke – 1. Conlon (N) 1:04.71, 2. Van Santer (NF) 1:08.89, 3. Smith (N) 1:10.41, 4. Provan (NF) 1:11.57, 5. Waddan (NF) 1:19.29. 100 breaststroke – 1. Atkinson (N) 1:11.58, 2.Stockmann (NF) 1:12.54, 3. E. Atkinson (N) 1:16.89, 4. Walker (NF) 1:18.10, 5. McSwain (NF) 1:18.20. 400 freestyle relay – 1. Newtown (Tabler, Gnerre, Conlon, Atkinson) 3:57.80, 2. New Fairfield 4:04.96, 3. Newtown (Iassogna, Remitz, Hull, Gugino) 4:18.17.

FOOTBALL

Bunnell 21, Newtown 18

Last year, the Newtown High School football team needed a win over Bunnell to vault itself into the CIAC state playoffs.

On Monday, the Nighthawks needed a win over Bunnell simply to snap a two-game losing streak and inject some life into a listless offense that had scored just two touchdowns in losses to Brookfield and Joel Barlow.

Alas, it was not to be.

Although it sure seemed like it would be.

After Marc Ingerman staked the ‘Hawks to an 6-0 lead with an eight-yard run in the first period, junior wideout Joey DeVellis seemed to make a diving catch in the end zone on an 18-yard pass from Tucker Kass that would have put the ‘Hawks ahead 12-0 pending the extra point.

But DeVellis was flagged for offensive pass interference and that penalty changed the complexion of the entire game. The Newtown drive soon stalled and Bunnell took over, moments later cashing in on a 27-yard run by Jon Hill (who rushed for 114 yards on the night) to take a 7-6 lead at the half.

Despite the 13-point swing, the ‘Hawks regained the lead with 4:44 left in the first when Kass hit a wide-open Joe Bowen in the left flat for a 15-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion run by Ingerman was stopped cold at the line and the locals had a 12-7 lead.

Just a couple minutes later, though, Hill was back in the end zone with his second touchdown of the night to put the Bulldogs on top, 13-12. The lead expanded to 21-12 when Steve Smith powered his way up the middle for seven yards and a touchdown just 81 seconds into the fourth period.

The ‘Dogs rushed for 232 yards on the night and accumulated 328 yards of total offense to run their record to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the Patriot Division. The ‘Hawks amassed 133 yards on the ground and 140 through the air, but the effect of 273 yards of total offense was tempered by critical penalties throughout the game.

Kass (who was 10-of-22 for 140 yards) scored the final touchdown of the night on a one-yard quarterback keeper with less than 30 seconds showing on the clock. Andrew Chimileski set up the TD with a fumble recovery.

DeVellis had one of the shining performances of the night as he rushed for seven yards, caught five passes for 88 yards, intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble and made a few tackles. Maybe he and the ‘Hawks can snap the three-game losing streak on Saturday with a 2 pm visit to New Fairfield.

Bunnell 21, Newtown 18

First Quarter: Newtown – Marc Ingerman 8 run (kick failed). Second Quarter: Bunnell – Jon Hill, 27 run (Danny Glorioso kick). Third Quarter: Newtown – Joe Bowen 15 pass from Tucker Kass (run failed); Bunnell – Jon Hill 22 run (pass failed). Fourth Quarter: Bunnell – Steve Smith 7 run (Hill run); Newtown – Tucker Kass 1 run (kick failed).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Bunnell – Jon Hill 8-114, Steve Smith 14-44, Javon Campbell 13-43, Davon Polite 2-15, Ryan Everetts 4-7, Sal Aurelia 2-5, Dwight Franklin 1-4 (TOTALS: 44-232). Newtown – Chris Potter 23-83, Tucker Kass 5-18, Bill Beatty 5-17, Marc Ingerman 1-8, Joey DeVellis 1-7 (TOTALS: 35-133). Passing: Bunnell – Steve Smith 6-13-1for 96 yards; Newtown – Tucker Kass 10-22-1 for 140 yards, Steve Kean 0-1-1 for 0 yards. Receiving: Bunnell – Dwight Franklin 3-68, Jon Hill 2-26, Javon Campbell 1-2; Newtown – Joey DeVellis 5-88, Grant Speer 2-24, Joe Bowen 2-21, Marc Ingerman 1-7.

FIELD HOCKEY

Newtown 3, Masuk 0

The Newtown High School field hockey team was on such a nice run (four wins and a tie in its last five games), perhaps momentum will aid the Lady Nighthawks as they faced the toughest part of their schedule this week.

The ‘Hawks – at 5-1-1-1 on the year following a 3-0 shutout of Masuk on Tuesday night at Blue & Gold Stadium – visited Pomperaug on Thursday (after press time) and will visit Watertown on Friday and New Milford on Saturday.

Together, those three teams are 26-5-0-1.

Ouch – now that’s rough.

But after a 1-0 overtime loss to Pomperaug back on September 20, the ‘Hawks have defeated Joel Barlow (6-1), New Fairfield (2-1), Weston (1-0) and Masuk (3-0) and secured a tie with Bethel (1-1). That has to provide some momentum to the ‘Hawks.

On Tuesday at the stadium, Lisa Alberico, Corey Stokes and Rita Magliocco all scored goals while Sam Wong provided a pair of assists and Erin Clark notched one to lead the ‘Hawks to the whitewash of the Lady Panthers.

Goaltenders Alissa Gross (two saves) and Katie Ebert (three saves) shared in the shutout.

After this brutal week is over, the ‘Hawks will be at Immaculate next Monday, host Joel Barlow next Tuesday at Blue & Gold Stadium before closing out the regular season against Shepaug Valley on Wednesday and Brookfield on Thursday.

Newtown 3, Masuk 0

GOALS: Newtown – Lisa Alberico, Corey Stokes, Rita Magliocco. ASSISTS: Newtown – Sam Wong 2, Erin Clark. SHOTS: Masuk – 6; Newtown – 10. SAVES: Newtown – Alissa Gross 2, Katie Ebert 3; Masuk – Kelsey Cox 6. PENALTY CORNERS: Masuk – 7; Newtown – 7.

BOYS SOCCER

Newtown 5, Immaculate 0

Miraculously, the Immaculate High School soccer field in Danbury was not underwater on Monday afternoon and was, in fact, in pretty good condition. But the Newtown High School boys’ soccer team still seemed to be stuck in the mud.

The Nighthawks and Mustangs battled to a 0-0 draw after one half, but when Alex Meisel ripped a shot from seven yards outside the penalty box past Immaculate goaltender Ryan McDonald in the early stages of the second half the floodgates had been opened and the ‘Hawks were well on their way to a 5-0 South-West Conference win.

Chris Hoagland followed up with a goal off an ill-advised clear by a sliding sweeper before Tony Magliocco scored the first of his two goals (to go along with two assists), tucking a shot in between McDonald and the near post to stake the ‘Hawks to a 3-0 lead.

Brian Conroy (off a rebound on a Justin Miller corner kick) put the ‘Hawks up, 4-0, after a Meisel shot off the hip of McDonald forced Immaculate to change goaltenders. Magliocco finished things off with his third goal of the season.

The ‘Hawks improved to 8-0-1 and hosted Pomperaug on Wednesday night at Blue & Gold Stadium (after press time). The locals will visit arch-rival Joel Barlow on Friday night (opening kick at 7 pm) and will be in Fairfield on Saturday to take on Notre Dame in an 11 am contest.

Newtown 5, Immaculate 0

GOALS: Newtown – Tony Magliocco 2, Alex Meisel, Chris Hoagland, Brian Conroy. ASSISTS: Newtown – Tony Magliocco 2, Chris Meier, Marc Doherty, Justin Miller. SHOTS: Newtown – 18; Immaculate – 8. SAVES: Newtown – Louis Ritzinger 6; Immaculate – Ryan McDonald 7, Morgan Diamant 2. CORNER KICKS: Newtown – 5; Immaculate – 1.

GIRLS SOCCER

Newtown 6, Stratford 0; Newtown 1, Immaculate 1

The weather turned kind of sour during the last two weeks and, coincidentally, so did the luck of the Newtown High School girls’ soccer team.

After earning six consecutive shutouts (with freshman Emily Kluga in goal), the Lady Nighthawks were touched up for a pair of goals in a 3-2 win over Bethel back on October 6. Five days later, they suffered only their second loss of the year (and second loss of the year to Masuk).

Yes, their luck seemed to be souring, but even as the ‘Hawks seemed to get some of their mojo back with a 6-0 win over Stratford on the new turf field at Treadwell Park last Saturday it wasn’t enough as the girls struggled to come to a 1-1 draw with Immaculate on Monday night at Tilson Field.

The consequence of all that is the ‘Hawks now stand at 8-2-1 with four regular season games remaining on the schedule. Thanks to the weather, it will prove to be an extremely busy week as the ‘Hawks traveled to Southbury on Wednesday (after press time) to take on Pomperaug, hosted Notre Dame on Thursday, and will host Joel Barlow on Friday at Blue & Gold Stadium (for Senior Night).

After all of that is said and done, a clear picture of the upcoming South-West Conference tournament rankings will be seen. Right now, Masuk remains undefeated at 10-0-1 while Joel Barlow (which also has an extremely busy week) is undefeated at 6-0-3. While the ‘Hawks are 8-2-1, Immaculate is 8-3-1.

It stands to reason that one of those four teams will be holding the SWC trophy aloft on Thursday, November 3.

Last week, in the win over Stratford, it was the efforts of Alex Konneker, Casey Frobey and Erica Vacaro (each with a goal and an assist) that led the way for the ‘Hawks. Tania Domingos, Brittany Papaj and Gabby Nastri also scored while Tara Gaston and Jen Greenwood notched assists. Junior goaltender Jess Halloran recorded a pair of saves in the net.

In the draw with Immaculate, Konneker scored the lone Newtown goal off an assist from Kasey Schulz. Back between the pipes was Halloran and she recorded nine saves to boost her personal record to 1-0-1.