Newtown High School Week In Review

By Kim J. Harmon

It was an incredible, dominating twi-night soccer doubleheader and it may only be the tip of the iceberg.

While Marcus Tracy showed why he could be the most dynamic and electric soccer player in New England, Casey Frobey led a shocking destruction of the defending CIAC Class S state champion and it all happened on Monday night.

Tracy scored four goals and assisted on three others as the Newtown High School boys’ soccer team walloped Brookfield, 8-0, in the opening game of the doubleheader on the near pristine field of Blue & Gold Stadium. And in the nightcap, Frobey scored four goals as the girls’ soccer team trounced Immaculate, 5-1, to avenge a loss in the 2003 South-West Conference playoffs.

It was the first game of the season for both teams and in more ways than one it could only be the beginning.

Girls’ Soccer –

Fourteen seconds.

The last strains of The Star Spangled Banner were still echoing in the air and fans had scarcely settled in their seats when co-captain Casey Frobey – just 14 seconds into the game – staked the Newtown High School girls’ soccer team to a 1-0 lead over defending CIAC Class S state champion Immaculate.

It was the first of the junior striker’s four goals in a thoroughly dominating 5-1 win.

Everyone well remembered how the Lady Mustangs knocked the Lady Nighthawks out of the South-West Conference playoffs last year (in fact, the devastating collision Mary Anders suffered in that game is still fresh in the minds of some), but the ‘Hawks quickly – and convincingly – put those ghosts to rest.

Frobey followed up her first goal with another at 13:30 and another at 2:15 of the first half to put the ‘Hawks ahead, 3-0.

Alex Konneker fed the initial goal with a nice little tap into the box that gave Frobey a one-on-one shot on Immaculate goaltender Nicole Weiss. The second goal was created off a crisp pass from Anders and the third came off a short cross from Konneker. Just eight minutes into the second half, Frobey scored her fourth goal, taking a nifty through ball from Anders and tapping an easy shot inside the left post.

The ‘Hawks put on an amazing display of ball movement, with everyone getting a touch. The fifth goal was a superb example of teamwork, with Frobey dribbling the ball to the penalty box and then passing off to Konneker, who quickly crossed to Kristin Davis for the goal.

In her first varsity action, senior goaltender Ashley Larocque made eight saves and allowed just the one goal with 9:40 left to play. Nicole Sieber (of Newtown) notched that goal, punching a shot into the upper right hand corner of the goal.

Kyla Miles had a tremendous game on defense and sophomore Kristi Nowak – who missed all of last year with a back injury – shined in her varsity debut. Gabby Nastri and Tara Gaston had strong performances, as well, to help lead the Nighthawks to the win.

The ‘Hawks hosted Bunnell on Thursday and will host Brookfield on Monday night at Blue & Gold Stadium in what will also be a Newtown Soccer Club Night (all youth soccer players are encouraged to show up in their team jerseys and support the ‘Hawks). The girls will be in New Fairfield next Thursday to take on the Lady Rebels.

Newtown 5, Immaculate 1

GOALS: Newtown – Casey Frobey 4, Kristen Davis; Immaculate – Nicole Sieber. ASSISTS: Newtown – Alex Konneker 3, Mary Anders 2. SHOTS: Newtown – 13, Immaculate – 9. SAVES: Newtown – Ashley Larocque 7; Immaculate – Nicole Weiss 8.

Boys’ Soccer –

Brookfield couldn’t hope to stop Marcus Tracy, only contain him. Trouble was, it couldn’t even contain him.

Tracy – the senior striker who will be heading to Wake Forest next fall – scored four goals and assisted on three others in an awe-inspiring effort to lead the Newtown High School boys’ soccer team to an 8-0 win over Brookfield Monday afternoon at Blue & Gold Stadium.

Tracy scored his first goal less than a minute into the first half on a drive down the left wing, tapping a slow roller that slid past Brookfield goaltender Chris Smart and rolled lazily over the end line and inside the right post. Tracy struck the back of the net less than two minutes later and the rout was on.

Tony Magliocca – a transfer from Brookfield – made an impact in his first game with his first goal. Ben Trigal and Chris Hoagland also scored while Brian Miles, Brian Conroy, Rodrigo DeSouza and Hoagland all registered assists.

Goaltender Adam Drummond needed to make just one save while guarding the net for the bulk of the game.. Louis Ritzinger saw some time in goal late in the game and also made a save.

The ‘Hawks hosted Masuk on Wednesday night at Blue & Gold Stadium and were in Stratford on Thursday to take on Bunnell. The boys will return to the field next Tuesday in Brookfield and next Thursday at home against New Fairfield.

 

Newtown 8, Brookfield 0

GOALS: Newtown – Marcus Tracy 4, Ben Trigal, Tony Magliocca, Chris Hoagland. ASSISTS: Newtown – Marcus Tracy 3, Brian Miles, Brian Conroy, Rodrigo DeSouza, Chris Hoagland. SHOTS: Newtown – 19, Brookfield – 2. SAVES: Newtown – Adam Drummond 1, Louis Ritzinger 1; Brookfield – Chris Smart 9.

Boys’ Cross Country –

Pete Dittmar may have been on the shelf for the season-opening meet of the Newtown High School boys’ cross country team last week, but with the Nighthawks sweeping the top nine spots it could safely be said that those running certainly picked up the slack in his absence.

Alister Ratcliff and Charlie Baldour grabbed the top two spots at 17:37 and 17:39, respectively, to start the ‘Hawks on their 15-50 win over New Fairfield and 15-50 win over Brookfield. Chris DeRoo (18:02), Jake Sullivan (18:07), Eric MacKnight (18:07), Jon Larsen (18:20), Scott Nichols (18:22), Matt Cole (18:33) and Ryan Kraft (18:33) followed in the third through ninth spots. Kevin Donahue came in 15th overall at 20 minutes flat.

The ‘Hawks were washed out of the Wilton Invitational over the weekend, but came back on Tuesday to take on Weston and perennial powerhouse New Milford. Dittmar was still absent, but it didn’t matter as the ‘Hawks fell to New Milford, 19-38, while defeating Weston, 23-38, to run their record to 4-1 on the year.

The Green Wave swept the top three spots. Ratcliff was, once again, the top Newtown finisher and he came in fourth at 16:04, just nine seconds behind front-running Nick DeCrescenzo. After a couple of Weston runners and another New Milford runner crossed the finish line, Baldour (16:27) and Sullivan (16:38) came in eighth and ninth.

DeRoo (12th), Larsen (13th), Nichols (14th), Schunter (17th), MacKnight (16th), Cole (17th), and Kraft (18th) were all top 20 finishers.

The ‘Hawks will be at Bunnell High School in Stratford on Tuesday to take on Bunnell, Notre Dame and Pomperaug.

Newtown 15, New Fairfield 50; Newtown 15, Brookfield 50 – 1. Ratcliff (N) 17:37; 2. Baldour (N) 17:39; 3. DeRoo (N) 18:02; 4. Sullivan (N) 18:07; 5. MacKnight (N) 18:07; 6. Larsen (N) 18:20; 7. Nichols (N) 18:22; 8. Cole (N) 18:33; 9. Kraft (N) 18:33; 10. Ottulich (NF) 18:55; 11. Makai (B) 19:17; 12. Molloy (B) 19:21; 13. Mendelson (B) 19:30; 14. Daniel (B) 20:00; 15. Donahue (N) 20:00.

New Milford 19, Newtown 38; Newtown 23, Weston 38 – 1. DeCrescenzo (NM) 15:55, 2. Viklund (NM) 15:59, 3. Hunt (NM) 16:00, 4. Ratcliff (N) 16:04, 5. Loeser (W) 16:17, 6. Lane (W) 16:19, 7. Socotch (NM) 16:21, 8. Baldour (N) 16:27, 9. Sullivan (N) 16:38, 10. Watson (NM) 16:40, 11. Reilly (NM) 16:47, 12. DeRoo (N) 16:50, 13. Larsen (N) 16:51, 14. Nichols (N) 16:52, 15. Schunter (N) 16:52, 16. MacKnight (N) 16:52, 17. Cole (N) 17:27, 18. Kraft (N) 17:35, 19. Aaron Simmons (NM) 17:50, 20. Cheng (NM) 17:50.

Girls Cross Country –

It may be the two-time defending South-West Conference champions, but the Newtown High School girls’ cross country team has had to battle pretty hard (as in a pair of one-point decisions) in its first two meets of the 2004 season.

The Lady Nighthawks had a close shave in a 27-28 win over New Fairfield in the season opener last week, yet they weren’t so lucky on Tuesday afternoon in a 28-29 loss to New Milford. But three wins last week and one on Tuesday helped the ‘Hawks start the season at 4-1.

In the season opener, Laura Simons and Karen Hillery of New Fairfield went first and third (17:32 and 18:08, respectively). But as Sadie Ball took second (18:00) and Kate Stickles (6th – 18:26), Moira Collier (8th – 18:37), Elisa DeRoo (9th – 18:50) and Michelle Brennan (10th – 18:52) earned top 10 finishes, the Lady Nighthawks were able to escape with the narrow win.

Jen Brills (17th) and Quincey Blanchard (19th) also finished in the top 20 as the ‘Hawks also defeated Brookfield (23-34) and Lauralton Hall (15-50).

Even though Kara Fisher of New Milford came in first at 17:49, the ‘Hawks appeared to have an advantage with four runners finishing in the top 10: Ball (2nd – 18:14) and Collier (5th – 18:43), DeRoo (6th – 18:47), Brennan (7th – 18:53).

But the meet turned when New Milford grabbed the eighth through 13th positions.

Stickles was Newtown’s next finisher, coming in 14th at 19:53.

The ‘Hawks will be at Bunnell High School in Stratford on Tuesday to take on Bunnell, Notre Dame and Pomperaug.

Newtown 27, New Fairfield 28; Newtown 23, Brookfield 34; Newtown 15, Lauralton Hall 50 – 1. Simons (NF) 17:23; 2. Ball (N) 18:00; 3. Hillery (NF) 18:08; 4. Melville (B) 18:14; 5. Collins (B) 18:18; 6. Stickles (N) 18:26; 7. Perrigone (NF) 18:35; 8. Collier (N) 18:37; 9. DeRoo (N) 18:50; 10. Brennan (N) 18:52; 11. Huppman (B) 18:56; 12. Donahue (LH) 19:08; 13. Lornk (B) 19:19; 14. Kahn (NF) 19:22; 15. Keller (NF) 19:26; 16. Bump (LH) 19:28; 17. Brill (N) 19:39; 18. Stewart (LH) 19:39; 19. Blanchard (N) 19:54; 20. Andebur (NF) 19:55.

New Milford 28, Newtown 29; Newtown 19, Weston 44 – 1. Fisher (NM), 17:49; ; 2. Ball (N), 18:14; 3. Griffin (W), 18:21; 4. Fisher (NM), 18:42; 5. Collier (N), 18:43; 6. DeRoo (N), 18:47; 7. Brennan (N), 18:53; 8. Hermann (NM), 18:59; 9. Martin (NM), 19:01; 10. Welton (NM), 19:11; 11. Tyler (NM), 19:28; 12. Winters (NM), 19:40; 13. Cullen (NM), 19:47; 14. Stickles (N), 19:53; 15. Cusak )NM), 20:02.

Swimming –

Let the dominance begin.

The Newtown High School girls’ swim team began its quest for a second consecutive undefeated dual meet season with a commanding 99-80 win over New Milford on Monday afternoon. Seven different swimmers grabbed first-place finishes.

Maricate Conlon (200 freestyle), Abby Atkinson (200 individual medley), Amy Robinson (50 freestyle), Kim Mayers (diving), Sally Tabler (100 butterfly), Maggie Hemingway (100 freestyle) and Liz Gugino (500 freestyle) won their respective events.

Conlon, Atkinson, Tabler and Hemingway got together to grab a first-place finish in the 200 medley relay while Dana Taylor, Jen Iassogna, Jaclyn Van Waalwijk and Robinson got together to grab a first-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay.

Carol Ann Smith (second in the 100 butterfly, third in the 200 individual medley), Iassogna (second in the 200 freestyle), Sarah Harmonay (second in the 500 freestyle), and Van Waalwijk (third in the 100 freestyle) had fine performances while the diving contingent of Mayers, Melissa Metzger and Nicole Borruso swept that event.

The ‘Hawks will return to the pool on Monday, September 27, to host Joel Barlow.

Newtown 99, New Milford 80

200 medley relay – 1. Newtown (Maricate Conlon, Abby Atkinson, Sally Tabler, Maggie Hemingway) 2:00.03; 2. New Milford 2:05.02; 3. Newtown 2:05.73; 200 freestyle – 1. Maricate Conlon (N) 2:12.56; 2. Jen Iassogna (N) 2:13.84; 3. Snopkowski (NM) 2:21.83; 200 individual medley – 1. Abby Atkinson (N) 2:19.97; 2. Sally Tabler (N) 2:25.73; 3. Carol Ann Smith (NM) 2:37.65; 50 freestyle – 1. Amy Robinson (N) 26.55; 2. Covelli (NM) 26.95; 3. Liz Gugino (N) 27.62; Diving – 1. Kim Mayers (N) 171.75; 2. Melissa Metzger (N) 159.75; 3. Nicole Borruso (N) 138.20; 100 butterfly – 1. Sally Tabler (N) 1:05.85; 2. Carol Ann Smith (N) 1:06.82; 3. Sullivan (NM) 1:09.97; 100 freestyle – 1. Maggie Hemingway (N) 58.33; 2. Amy Robinson (N) 58.60; 3. Jaclyn Van Waalwijk (N) 59.10; 500 freestyle – 1. Liz Gugino (N) 6:15.39; 2. Sarah Harmonay (N) 6:24.68; 3. Snopkowski (NM) 6:25.81; 200 freestyle relay – 1. Newtown (Dana Taylor, Jen Iassogna, Jaclyn Van Waalwijk, Amy Robinson) 1:51.63; 2. New Milford, 1:56.05; 3. New Milford, 2:03.44; 100 backstroke – 1. Sullivan (NM) 1:10.28; 2. Gremier (NM) 1:13.95; 3. King (NM) 1:20.62; 100 breaststroke – 1. Smith (NM); 2. Coster (NM); 3. Boston (NM); 400 freestyle relay – 1. New Milford (Snopkowski, Devestern, Karadimas, Sullivan) 4:23.25; 2. New Milford 4:39.22; 3. New Milford 5:20.13.

NOTE: Newtown swam the last three events unofficially.

Volleyball –

It was easy for a lot of people to count out the Newtown High School volleyball team and their logic was simple and understandable.

As a lot of people figured it, how in the world could the team possibly recover from the loss of Stephanie Logan, arguably the most dominating player – front row and back row – there was in the South-West Conference? Well, the Lady Nighthawks have begun answering that question, and others like them, by opening the 2004 season with a pair of convincing wins.

The ‘Hawks swept New Milford last week (25-12, 25-19, 25-10) and added a sweep of New Fairfield on Tuesday afternoon (26-24, 25-15, 25-16) to open at 2-0.

In the win over New Milford, captain Lisa Morgan registered 24 assists and five service aces. Paula Wickman and Diana Grimaldi had strong games at the net, combining for 18 kills. Wickman also came up with two blocks while Grimaldi had six digs.

The ‘Hawks were stuck in a big of a dogfight in the first game of their win over the Lady Rebels, but after a narrow 26-24 decision, the ‘Hawks cruised on to the win. Wickman had another solid effort with nine kills, three aces, two blocks and a dig but Jenna Van Waalwijk and Becky Huot (five kills, eight digs, one ace) took the opportunity to step up and make their presence known at the net.

Morgan was once again superb all over the court, coming up with 22 assists, a pair of aces, a pair of blocks, a pair of digs and a kill.

The ‘Hawks hosted Masuk on Thursday and will host Joel Barlow on Monday and Bunnell on Wednesday (both varsity matches to begin at 7 pm).

Football –

How bad did it get for the Newtown High School football team in the 2004 season opener?

In the midst of a horrific first period against Pomperaug last Sunday, Newtown was desperate for a break … any kind of break at all. And it looked like the Nighthawks got that break when a low, line drive punt off the foot of Marc Ingerman struck a Pomperaug player on the back of his helmet and gave them a fresh set of downs.

But on the very next play, a sweep right, Charlie Benson of Pomperaug scooped up a fumble and rumbled 49 yards for a touchdown.

That’s how bad it got. The Nighthawks boasted one of the top defenses in the South-West Conference in 2003, but the Panthers had little trouble in amassing more than 350 yards of total offense, posting 35 first-period points on their way to a 54-7 win at Danbury High School.

It was a perfect afternoon for football and excitement was running high, but the mood quickly soured on the Newtown sideline when Mike Kielt of Pomperaug ran back the opening kick 95 yards for a touchdown. Then Pomperaug pooched a short kickoff and fell on it, which led to a 10-yard touchdown run by Joe Melillo.

The ‘Hawks finally got their offense on the field after that, but a pitchout left went awry and the Panthers quickly had the ball again. A few moments later, Kielt was back in the end zone and the Pomperaug lead had increased to 21-0. After Andrew MacDougall scored on a 49 yard run and Charlie Bronson returned a fumble 42 yards in the finals seconds of the first period, the Panthers led 35-0.

The only shining moment for the ‘Hawks came on the opening kick of the second period, which Brendan O’Connor took back 77 yards for a touchdown. On the afternoon, the ‘Hawks managed just 125 total yards – 69 of those on the ground and 56 through the air.

Despite nursing injuries, quarterback/linebacker Josh Rouse and lineman Dan Cascone both gave it a go. The Nighthawks hope to recover from the difficult loss when they host rival Weston on Saturday night at Blue & Gold Stadium. Kick off is slated for 8 pm.

Pomperaug 54, Newtown 7

First Quarter: Pomperaug – Mike Kielt 95 kickoff return (Greg Eddy kick); Pomperaug – Joe Melillo 10 run (Eddy kick); Pomperaug – Kielt 3 run (Eddy kick); Pomperaug – Andrew MacDougall 49 run (Eddy kick); Pomperaug – Charlie Benson 42 fumble return (Eddy kick). Second Quarter: Newtown – Brendan O’Connor 77 kickoff return (Brian Keane kick); Pomperaug – Melillo 52 pass from Paul Mastrantuone (pass failed). Fourth Quarter: Pomperaug – Mike Browne 2 run (run failed); Don Lang 81 run (Dan Thibodeau kick).

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Newtown – Joey DeVellis 5-27, Bobby Pattison 6-22, Josh Rouse 2-14, Tucker Kass 1-4, John Collins 3-4, Marc Ingerman 1-1, Roy Scheunemann 1-minus 3 (Total: 19-69); Pomperaug – Don Lang 8-122, Joe Melillo 13-69, Andrew MacDougall 7-64, Mike Kielt 8-37, Mike Browne 8-23, Conor Tidgwell 1-23, Greg Stirk 2-5, Mason Banwell 2-5, Gram Clark 1-minus 4, Joe Guisti 1-minus 5 (Total: 51-339). Passing: Newtown – Josh Rouse 6-13-0, 39 yards, and Tucker Kass 3-11-2, 17 yards; Pomperaug – Paul Mastrantuone 2-2-0, 17 yards. Receiving: Newtown – Marc Ingerman 2-29, Dan Kearns 2-22, John Collins 2-4, Joey DeVellis 2-minus 1; Brennan Coakley 1-2; Pomperaug – Joe Melillo 1-52, Don Lang 1-17.

Field Hockey –

The highs and the lows – the Newtown High School field hockey team had a chance to experience both in the space of seven days.

The Lady Nighthawks opened the 2004 season with an impressive, 4-1, win over Watertown last Tuesday but came back this past Tuesday with a 5-1 loss to New Milford.

In the win over Watertown, Kristen Troy scored a pair of goals while Cat Williams and Lisa Alberico added solo goals. Meg Regnery assisted on both of Troy’s goals. The ‘Hawks pounded 13 shots on goal.

The ‘Hawks will host Bethel on Friday on the back fields in a game postponed from last Saturday.

Newtown 4, Watertown 1

GOALS: Newtown – Kristen Troy 2, Cat Williams, Lisa Alberico; Watertown – Nikki Marcelynas. ASSISTS: Newtown – Meg Regnery 2. SHOTS: Newtown – 13; Watertown – 8. SAVES: Newtown – Jenny Urfer 4, Alissa Gross 2; Watertown – Devin Brown 8.