Category Archives: Weston

February 29, 2020 · 10:12 pm

Weston rallies to beat Newburyport 86-81 in a shootout to gain D3 North semis

Sawyer Mayhugh and Parker McLaren

Jake Robertson (16 points) from the corner

(Newburyport MA) The shots were flying and many from beyond the arc.

Newburyport had fifty points in the first half while Weston had forty-nine in the second half.

Eight lead changes. Three in the first quarter and five in the last quarter.

Exciting? Ask anyone who was there!

Weston grabbed the final lead change with two minutes left, thanks to the remarkable 6-10 Sawyer Mayhugh (36 points), and came away, 86-81, winning the D3 North quarter finals match on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Parker McLaren (34 points) played his last game for the Clippers and it was a beauty.

Parker McLaren (34 points) shoots a three

6-4 Parker had every aspect of his shooting talents working. The long-range game was on target all night. He made seven from out there.

Twice in the final quarter Parker scored from in close to restore the Clippers to the lead.

With thirty-six seconds left his seventh triple, with thirty-six seconds left, brought the Clippers to within two (82-80).

The game-deciding possession followed. There was an urgency on the Clippers’ part to protect the inside and keep Sawyer Mayhugh from scoring. The inside was definitely protected but the perimeter wasn’t.

Will Van Houten (24 points) hits the game-deciding three

Wide open on the left side, in front of the Weston partisans, was junior Will Van Houten (24 points). Will had time (and courage) to take and make the open three with fifteen seconds left. Now down by five (85-80) Newburyport lacked the time and accuracy to recover.

Weston now moves on to face Amesbury in the D3 North semi-finals at Whittier on Wednesday night.

It looked to me as if most of the Amesbury team was in the crowd scouting their next opponent.

The Clippers (16-6) were on fire in the first half. They drained ten three’s and Parker put up eighteen points.

Newburyport was happy on the perimeter and their shots were falling from there.

Sawyer Mayhugh (36 points) over Parker McLaren

Weston’s attack featured outside shooters and Sawyer Mayhugh on the inside.

The Wildcats (12-10) were within two points (32-30) at 4:46 of the second period after two Sawyer free throws.

The next two minutes were all Newburyport. The Clippers put a twelve-point, unanswered segment together and came out with a 44-30 lead.

Parker had a three and a jump shot in this section. Jake Robertson (16 points) had four free throws. Two of Jake freebies came at the expense of a technical on Weston coach Dave First.

“I said to the ref with a couple of minutes left,” explained Coach First post-game, “that I think that the points on the technical are going to cost me, and he started laughing.”

The Clippers lead reached sixteen (50-34) later in the period.

Weston trailed 50-37 at halftime.

“It was so sad in the first half,” said Sawyer Mayhugh afterwards. “We couldn’t find our offense and we were giving up too many three’s.”

Christos Iatrides (16 points)

The Wildcats were able to shrink the Clippers lead in the third period. Three’s by Isaiah Kacyvenski and Christos Iatridis (16 points) had Weston within one (60-59).

“Honestly,” said Alton Jenkins post-game, “we don’t give up. That’s what Weston is all about. We’re going to give intensity from start to finish. That 13-point halftime lead didn’t matter to us. We were going to put in our work regardless.”

The Clippers recovered after Weston was within one, thanks to a three by Ronan Brown and Ryan Archie layup, assisted by Jack Fehlner. Newburyport was ahead by four (67-63) after three quarters.

A three by senior Ryan Archie (assist Trevor Ward) had Newburyport up by eight (73-65) with 5:55 left in the game.

Now it was Weston’s turn to put a run together.

Sawyer Mayhugh

Key play alert! The decisive comeback run started with Sawyer Mayhugh launching a three. Knowing what he can do around the basket, you’d think defensively that he was doing you a favor shooting from beyond the arc.

Sawyer took the shot and it missed but he raced in from the wing, got the rebound, and made a layup. That’s what hustle is all about!

That basket started Weston on an 8-point run. Will Van Houten’s three was the shot that gave Weston it’s first lead (74-73) since the first quarter.

Parker hit a floater in the lane. Sawyer put in a layup.

Parker went at Sawyer for a layup. Sawyer answered with a dunk.

Four straight free throws (Sawyer two, Christos Iatridis two) boosted the Weston edge to five (82-77) with forty-eight seconds left. Parker responded with a three.

Weston coach Dave First

Will Van Houten’s win-securing three followed and Weston now moves on to the D3 North semi-finals.

Those who have seen the Clippers play, probably had the same flashback I had when Will sank that crucial shot from the left wing. A year ago, Dracut’s Adrian Torres gave the Middies a tourney win over Newburyport from the same spot.

“Will sealed the deal with that shot,” said Sawyer Mayhugh. “It gave us the extra push to get another stop and finish the game.”

“It was a real team effort,” according to Will Van Houten. “We were in a similar situation last year in the tournament. We don’t give up. That’s what we’re made of.”

Coach First: “Newburyport is a terrific team. They are well coached and well disciplined. I can’t believe we came back from thirteen down against them. It was fun to watch Sawyer against Parker.”

Sawyer Mayhugh sets to dunk

Sawyer Maghugh: “Newburyport has great shooters. It was definitely a challenge to stop them, but we did it.”

Packed house with some spectators having to stand. Plenty of school officials around to make sure the crowd behaved.

Jack Fehlner (17 points) and Jake Robertson each had thirteen points in the first half.

The Clippers missed the front end of three one-and-one’s in the last five minutes of the game. The Wildcats were 14/24 from the line.

Weston is in the Dual County League. Newburyport is in the Cape Ann League.

Newburyport made more 3-point shots (17) than they did 2-point shots (10).

Alton Jenkins heads to the basket

In the previous tournament game against Shasheen, Sawyer had nineteen points, sixteen rebounds, and five blocks. Will the 6-10 sophomore have committed to a D1 school two years from now? Wouldn’t surprise this reporter.

Parker certainly showed that he can shine in the bright lights of a big game. He won’t be covering any 6-10 post players at the next level. I wonder what college he’ll end up at?

You stay close to the action you risk having the action come to you. Sure enough, in the 4^th quarter Christos Iatridis drives hard to the basket, gets fouled to the ground and slides into me. No damage to either of us, fortunately.

Weston box

Newburyport box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Alton Jenkins grabs a rebound

Alton Jenkins shoots a free throw

Battle for a rebound

Christos Iatradis free throw

Will Van Houten (24 points) looks to pass

Christos Iatridis tosses the ball in the air to end the game

Isaiah Kacyvenski and Jake Robertson

Isaiah Kacyvenski guarded by Max Gagnon

Ronan Brown made two 3’s

Sawyer Mayhugh free throw in the last minute

Weston celebrates

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Filed under Newburyport, Weston

Tagged as Alton Jenkins, Christos Iatridis, Coach Dave First, Jack Fehlner, Jake Robertson, Parker McLaren, Sawyer Mayhugh, Will Van Houten

November 2, 2018 · 10:03 pm

George Coryell OT goal gets Newburyport past Weston 2-1

Weston and Newburyport await a corner kick

George Coryell with Ryan Archer and Brady O’Donnell

(Newburyport MA) “On to Lynnfield!”

George Coryell said it to me after the game as the Newburyport Clippers took out Weston 2-1 in overtime on Friday afternoon.

The Division 3 First Round win moves NHS (10-4-5) on to a rematch on the road on Sunday against the Pioneers.

#1 seed Lynnfield promises to be a more motivated opponent than they were earlier this week in a 3-0 loss to the Clippers. Entering that game, the Pioneers had already clinched the #1 seed whether they won or lost at Newburyport. Sunday’s rematch should have a much higher intensity level.

Senior George Coryell had two goals for #8 Newburyport. One tied the score in the second half and the other was the game-winner 5+ minutes into overtime.

GK Aiden Guthro and Brian Hall (7)

The Wildcats had dribblers, passers, and plenty of opportunities. That they didn’t win was a surprise to Weston coach Andrey Asparouhov. “We had control the whole game. I still don’t know how we lost the game. It’s unbelievable.”

The Wildcats (8-7-4) took a one-goal lead on a rebound conversion by Clayton Mullen with seven minutes left in the first half.

That lead looked to be enough, but not to Coach Asparouhov. “We knew that we needed the second goal to close out the game, but we couldn’t get it.”

Newburyport coach Shawn Bleau changed the Clippers approach later in the second half. “We went with an offensive lineup later in the second half and got a goal off it.”

Adrian Hadley (17) and Ronan Harrington (6)

Offensive lineup? “It meant putting George (Coryell) up top with three forwards.”

George scored the tying goal and how it happened was even a blur to him when I asked him about it.

Teammate Jack Healy credited freshman Max Gagnon for setting George up for the second-half break in. “Max placed the ball over the defense,” explained Jack. “He did the same thing on the overtime goal.”

According to Coach Bleau, “Their keeper made an incredible save on George’s break-in in the second half. Then Ryan Archer put the ball back in the box and George finished it.”

Coach Bleau continued with the offensive attack in the overtime. “It worked to get us the tying goal, so we decided to go for the win and not get to penalty kicks.”

Opening up the attack meant loosening up their defense but on this afternoon the strategy was gold for the home team.

George’s game-winner followed a foot race with defender Andres Castillo. “We made a bad pass and they had the speed to take advantage of it,” said Coach Asparouhov.

I will guess, based on what Jack Healy told me, that Max was the interceptor as well as the one who sent George on his way to the game-winner.

George gained separation from his defender and slid the ball past onrushing Weston GK Edward Pomianek.

“It feels good to get a win in the playoffs,” said Jack Healy afterwards. The Clippers lost 1-0 to Bedford in the first round last year. Prior to that, the last Newburyport playoff win was in 2012.

“It was a team effort,” said George Coryell. “Everyone playing together and trusting each other. We knew that these guys were good. Now it’s on to Lynnfield.”

Newburyport goalie Aiden Guthro won’t have fond memories of the Weston goal. On that goal, Brian Hall took a hard shot from the left. The normally sure-handed goalie (Cape Ann League All-Star) had the ball go through his hands and there was Weston’s Clayton Mullen rushing in looking for just such a rebound. In the net it went. “I’m glad that the goal didn’t decide the game. Aiden will get to play some more,” said Coach Bleau.

The game was physical at times. A number of times the Wildcats questioned non-calls.

Chris Connor (8) heads

With 7:24 left in regulation, the referee called time and brought the captains and the coaches together and sorted out how the rest of the game would, and would not, be played. It seemed to settle things down.

Brian Hall (7) and Jack Healy (11)

On one of my pictures of George Coryell, in the final rush to get a shot the defender clearly has a handful of his shirt.

Very impressed with Weston’s Brian Hall. The senior had the size and athleticism to create trouble in the box. He was in GK Aiden Guthro’s space several times as my pictures show.

The teams did their post-game handshake after regulation instead of trying it after an exciting/devastating overtime ending.

Mild temperatures (50’s) with occasional drizzle.

Football game, also against Weston, was slated for later in the evening.

Weston plays in the Dual County League while Newburyport is in the Cape Ann League.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Aiden Guthro chases a ball in the box

Andres Castillo

Brian Hall chats with the referee

Celebrating the Weston goal

Clayton Mullen

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Filed under Newburyport, Weston

Tagged as Aiden Guthro, Brian Hall, Clayton Mullen, Coach Andrey Asparouhov, Coach Shawn Bleau, George Coryell, Jack Healy, Max Gagnon

November 6, 2016 · 10:44 pm

Amelia Kroschwitz (goal, 2 assists) shines in Clippers 3-0 tourney win

Amelia Kroschwitz had a goal and two assists. Her she powers past a Weston defender

Amelia Kroschwitz had a goal and two assists. Here she powers past a Weston defender

Margaret Cote (11) scored a goal and played tight defense on Karenna Groff

(Newburyport MA) The Newburyport Clippers rode the shooting and passing of senior Amelia Kroschwitz to a 3-0 win over Weston in the Division 3 North quarterfinals on Sunday evening.

The victory will put Newburyport (15-1-3) into the semifinals against familiar Cape Ann League foe Hamilton-Wenham on Tuesday night at 7PM at the Manning Bowl in Lynn.

Amelia, the lone senior on the Clippers, was the big story as she tallied a goal in the first half and set up two teammates for scores in the second half.

#2 seed Newburyport used the large dimensions of Stehlin Stadium to their advantage regularly forcing Wildcats’ defenders to chase and protect their end.

Weston (10-6-3) had a couple of golden chances in the first half. Sophomore Jayme Leschly had a hand in both opportunities with long throw-ins into the box. Newburyport goalie Jen Stuart and defender Krysta Padellaro got in each other’s way on the first one and the ball came loose. No Wildcats able to cash in a juicy rebound. The other glittering Weston scoring chance belonged to junior Sophia Guerin who got in tight and shot right into NHS GK Jen Stuart.

That a Newburyport opponent left a game goalless was not surprising. The Clippers have only given up a total of six goals in nineteen games.

Amelia Kroschwitz put Newburyport on the board eleven minutes into the first half. A Wildcats’ foul, which WHS coach John Power disputed loudly, led to a direct kick.

Margaret Cote and Amelia Kroschwitz about to set the goal-scoring direct kick into motion

Margaret Cote and Amelia were both in position to take the direct kick from about 35 yards away. However, instead of driving the ball, Margaret tapped the ball to Amelia who did drive the ball at Wildcats’ GK Natalie Pettirossi. The ball came in low and hard and skidded under Natalie.

That goal held up through the first half. Clippers Cricket Good, Anna Hickman, and Audra Greenblott put testing shots on the WHS net. The Wildcats had the two near-goals mentioned above.

That 1-0 lead felt anything but comfortable as the second half started.

I mentioned Amelia’s shooting earlier. The second half was about her passing.

Twice in the second half Newburyport used a set play out of a corner kick to get goals. Instead of launching the CK long distance the Clippers got the ball to Amelia on the end line. The Wildcats acted in both occasions as if they expected a long kick and stayed close to the net. Amelia dribbled the end line, eluded a defender and sent the ball toward the front of the net. Amelia’s passes turned into wonderful setups with clean looks on two occasions and produced goals by Margaret Cote (34:07) and Sami Kelleher (11:47).

Jayme Leschly

One constant was the long throw-ins of Jayme Leschly. What a weapon that is! From either sideline she was able to put the ball into the box and create potential trouble for the home team.

A Weston spectator told me that several of the team’s strikers were out because of injuries. Those Jayme Leschly throw-ins might have been even more dangerous if those scorers had played.

Margaret Cote did an excellent job containing skillful Karenna Groff of Weston. Late in the game Karenna found some open space and showed some fancy dribbling moves.

Weston won the Dual County League this season.

The Clippers played a scoreless tie with Hamilton-Wenham during the season at HW.

Newburyport hasn’t lost since September 13^th. That was a 3-0 loss to North Reading. The Hornets, also in D3 North, face #1 seed Swampscott in the game before the HW/Newburyport matchup. North Reading won the D3 North title last season.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Sami Kelleher comes away after putting the ball in the back of the Weston net

Sami Kelleher and Olivia Goff (3)

Katie Hadden (15) and Sophia Guerin (5)

Clippers GK Jen Stuart makes a save

Audra Greenblott (7) dribbles along the sideline

Collision at midfield

Amelia Kroschwitz with plenty of open space

Krysta Padellaro

Weston coaches Rachel Wood and John Power

Julia Groth (14) eyes a loose ball

Clippers celebrate Margaret Cote’s goal

This was the setup Margaret Cote (left) had after a pass from Amelia Kroschwitz

Newburyport GK Jen Stuart reacts to a shot

Colleen Byron and Weston GK Natalie Pettirossi

Erin Sarocco

Amelia Kroschwitz (5) congratulated by teammates Meredith Vartabedian, and Margaret Cote after first NHS goal

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Tagged as Amelia Kroschwitz, Jayme Leschly, Jen Stuart, Karenna Groff, Margaret Cote, Sami Kelleher

June 1, 2014 · 5:58 pm

Amesbury routs Weston 17-1 in D3 North First Round

Weston errors proved very costly against Amesbury

Pitcher Rachel Cyr allowed only two hits

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury overwhelmed Weston, 17-1, in Division 3 North first round action Sunday afternoon at Amesbury.

The mercy rule kicked in after the Wildcats batted in the top of the fifth inning.

With the win, Amesbury moves ahead to the quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon (4PM) hosting Notre Dame of Tyngsboro.

Weston (9-12) rolled up twenty-five runs in their preliminary round victory against New Mission two day ago. Nothing like that happened today, however, against Rachel Cyr as the AHS senior limited the Wildcats to two hits (Gene Miller) and one unearned run.

Because the game was shortened, the Indians (15-6) had only four innings of at-bats and they made the most of them. There were seventeen Amesbury hits with everyone in the starting lineup getting at least one. The only extra base hits were by Lauren Fedorchak (triple) and Amanda Schell (double).

Alexis Boswell caught between Naomi Siverstein (#17) and Marie McMann

Anyone at this game asked to explain it won’t be starting with Weston’s lack of hitting or Amesbury’s ability to hit. They would probably start with the very shaky Weston defense. The Wildcats committed eight errors, by my count, including four in the first inning when Amesbury put up seven runs.

For some reason, both good defense or bad defense can be contagious. In this case, the inability to make plays in the field enveloped the visitors from the Dual County League. And Amesbury just aggravated the situation by putting ball after ball in play for four innings.

What looked like minor damage by Amesbury in the first inning (two runs), due to two fielding miscues (Gene Miller and Katie Valle), became major damage (seven runs) when two more errors (Katie Valle and Naomi Silverstein) followed before the end of the inning.

Amanda Schell steals second base

The Indians added four runs in the second, two in the third, and four more in the fourth. AHS coach Chris Perry had all of his reserves in action before this one ended. Sophomore Megan Reid came off the bench to single in the fourth inning.

Amanda Schell and Alexis Boswell led the way for Amesbury with three hits apiece. Lucy Scholz, Zoe Fitzgerald, and Lauren Fedorchak each had two hits for the Indians.

The Wildcats collected their lone run in the fourth inning. Alison Heilbronner’s bunt was thrown away by 3B Autumn Kligerman allowing Alison to get second. A wild pitch moved Alison to third and from there she was singled home by Gene Miller.

Weather? The only concern might have been from a possible sunburn!

Maddie Piccione

Sophomore Maddie Piccione took the loss for Weston. The less said about the support behind her the better.

Rachel Cyr will be going to Salem State next year to play softball.

Cape Ann League softball Player-of-the-Year (Amanda Schell) will attending Ithaca (NY) to play field hockey for the D3 Bombers next year. I wonder if the softball coach knows about her?

Amesbury had a nice speaker system in place for the game and we heard the National Anthem as well as batter identifications. The scoreboard was also used.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Talia Cramer gets treatment

Lauren Fedorchak tripled in the third inning

Alison Heilbronner nears home

Skyla Lynch

Kasie Wrean eyes a popup

Lucy Scholz scored two runs

Catcher Amanda Schell settles under the game-ending popup

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Tagged as Amanda Schell, Gene Miller, Lauren Fedorchak, Lucy Scholz, Maddie Piccione, Rachel Cyr

November 12, 2012 · 6:54 pm

Weston ousts Ipswich in Division 3 North finals, 2-0, in girls soccer

Weston – Division 3 North girls soccer champs

(Lynn) Same teams. Same field. Same weather. Same tournament. Same results.

What can you say? There was Weston defeating Ipswich in girls soccer, 2-0, at Manning Field to capture the Division 3 North finals in beautiful weather. Two years ago (November 14th) exactly the same thing happened.

Juicy rebound early led to first Weston goal by Katie Marlow-Benedick

In this Monday morning event, the Wildcats stunned the Tigers with a goal in the first thirty seconds (Katie Marlow-Benedick) of the game. The insurance for Weston kicked in during the second half on a goal by Maddie Linde.

Weston (11-7-4) moves on to the D3 state semifinals against South champs Norwell at 5:30PM at Veterans Stadium in Quincy on Wednesday. The D3 state finals are at Worcester State College on Saturday (10AM) morning.

Ipswich (11-5-7) had enough defense, led by Courtney Long, to keep the Wildcats from adding more goals in the first half after the depressing start.

The Weston defense, led by Sarah Peters, gave the Tigers few instances of control deep in their territory. Ipswich had several corner kicks but was unable to turn up threats on WHS goalie Alissa Duffey.

The Tigers best chance was on direct kick from straight away by Courtney Long late in the first half. Katie Monahan was bearing down on Alissa as she made the catch. Any sort of bobble there could have been a Tiger goal.

Weston’s first goal happened so fast!

The Wildcats started with the ball. Freshman Emma Marlow-Benedick broke past the Tiger defense in front of the Weston sidelines and dribbled in on the right. Instead of taking a long shot at GK Molly Markos, Emma sent a pass into the middle to senior Maddie Linde. Maddie had time to drill a shot that Molly got a piece of but couldn’t control. The result was a juicy rebound for Emma’s twin sister Katie to tap into the open net.

Down 1-0 in a game not even thirty seconds old was not what the Tigers needed. However, the Wildcats were kept from threatening the rest of the half. Ipswich had several corner kicks but didn’t endanger the Weston shutout.

The Wildcats turned up the pressure in the first fifteen minutes of the second half. They had four dangerous corner kicks before capitalizing.

Maddie Linde (20) about to head home the second Weston goal.

The goal came when senior Hannah Graves sent a corner kick over the reach of goalie Molly Markos. Teammate Maddie Linde was perfectly positioned and headed home Weston’s second goal, fifteen minutes into the second half. Maddie’s height gave her an advantage and Hannah’s kick was right where Maddie could convert.

The Wildcats had several dangerous shots the rest of the way, a couple by Lane Cronin, and one by Jackie Foody.

******************
Ipswich knocked Weston out of the tournament (1-0) last year at Ipswich on a Hannah Weagle score.

Maddie Linde had both goals in the Wildcat win two years ago at Manning Field.

Kudos to Weston’s Jackie Foody. Her collision with Tiger Lia Ziegler sent the Ipswich senior to the turf but after the Tiger medical staff took care of Lia, Jackie came over to make sure her opponent was okay. Classy move!

Lane Cronin (17) gets a yellow card.

I also congratulate WHS coach Rich Daestrela. When one of his players (Lane Cronin) drew a yellow card for angrily kicking a ball out of play, she had to leave the game. I have seen other coaches immediately put the carded player back in the game. Not Coach Daestrela. He kept the offending party off the field for the last nineteen minutes of the first half. A teachable moment?

Weston can certainly be thankful for the Sullivan Rule. That unique Massachusetts rule allowed the Wildcats to qualify for the MIAA tourney despite a 6-7-4 record. Winning 50% of games against same-division opponents qualifies a team for the tournament……and that’s how Weston got in.

Weston competes in the very tough Dual County League. The beatings they absorbed from D1 powerhouses like Acton-Boxborough, Concord-Carlisle, and Lincoln-Sudbury obviously toughened them up for the Division 3 tournament. The only disadvantage was that Weston got a low seed (#17) and had to win early-round games on the road to get to the finals.

Coach Daestrela commended the Cape Ann League afterwards. He faced Georgetown first and needed penalty kicks to win. He said that the games in between Georgetown and Ipswich were not very competitive and allowed him to use substitutes for most of the second halves.

Maria Balzer (5) and Katie Marlow-Benedick (7)

Coach Daestrela on the undersized freshmen Marlow-Benedick twins: “I don’t care what size they are, they can play, and will play.”

This was Courtney Long’s last soccer game for Ipswich. What a defender she was with a strong leg. She took care of all the goal kicks and direct kicks. I wonder what she would have done on corner kicks?

Some doctors do house calls. Dr. Hugh O’Flynn does field calls! The Ipswich surgeon helped tend to several injured Tigers in the first half.

Good Ipswich sports trivia question: Name the first Ipswich girls soccer coach – Doug Woodworth.

(All of the pictures above and below enlarge if you click on them.)

Ipswich captains with D3 North finalist trophy

celebrating begins

Weston coach Rich Daestrela

Lia Ziegler chases loose ball

Tally Shea (22) and Julia Davis (23)

Maddie Linde shoots as Emily Brengle (11) defends

Emma Marlow-Benedick (67) lines up a shot

Courtney Long (24) protects GK Molly Markos

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Tagged as Alissa Duffey, Coach Rich Daestrela, Courtney Long, Emma Marlow-Benedick, Katie Marlow-Benedick, Maddie Linde

December 21, 2011 · 12:12 am

Newtown Wins 4th Straight Easily Defeating Weston 68-45 in Girls Basketball

Riley Wurtz (1) on fast break with Jess Lynch (10) just about to get a pass for a layup.

Cassie Ekstrom (5) puts some defense on Morgan Moubayed.

(Newtown) Undefeated Newtown (4-0) overwhelmed winless Weston (0-3), 68-45, in nonleague girls action at Newtown High School on Tuesday night.

The twenty-three point margin doesn’t begin to tell the story of how one-sided this game was. No sign of the Hawk starters after the third quarter – they were ahead, 59-27.

From the start you could see that the Newtown full-court pressure was going to be trouble for the visitors. That pressure seems to work best in the half-court and every turnover (25+?) became a fast break in the other direction.

Riley Wurtz (7 points) shot poorly but more than made up for it with steals and assists.

Jess Lynch (17 points) was on the breakaway end after many of the Lady Trojan giveaways.

Riley Wurtz (7 points) on clean break away.

Another successful Hawk maneuver was an instant answer to every Weston basket. Newtown had several long-pass layups after baskets.

Newtown jumped out to a quick, 7-0, start with a Bridget Power three at the end of it. Weston responded with three baskets led by Ellie Martin and the score was, 11-6, with three minutes left in the first period.

The next fifteen minutes of playing time, stretching through four minutes of the third quarter were all Newtown. They outscored the visitors, 42-10! Jess Lynch had fifteen points during the big run.

Weston had just three bench players and early on it was clear that keeping up with the non-stop Hawks was going to wear down the Lady Trojans. Fortunately, NHS coach Jeremy O’Connell used reserves early and often and they weren’t quite as adept at creating the turnovers and getting breakaways.

Ellie Martin (left) and Sam Stemlie (11) chase loose ball

With the NHS starters on the bench, Ellie Martin (23 points) had a nice final quarter getting Weston’s last eleven points.

First look at Newtown’s basketball setup. Terrific lighting.

I was on hand for the Newtown/Masuk football game. Less said about that, I suppose, the better.

Cheerleaders were impressive. They were so good that I didn’t worry about them falling.

This was Newtown’s home opener. No programs???

If you click on the pictures they enlarge to normal size.

Bridget Power (23) Riley Wurtz (1) Morgan Moubayed (2)

Jess Lynch (10) shoots over Anna Mahoney (50)

Maddy Good (14) ties up Anna Mahoney

good times on the NHS bench

Newtown box score

Weston box score

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Filed under Newtown, Weston

Tagged as Ellie Martin, Jess Lynch, Newtown High School, Riley Wurtz, Weston High School

November 14, 2010 · 4:15 pm

Ipswich Season Ends 2-0 in D3 North Finals to Weston

(Lynn) In the eighty minute Division 3 North girls soccer final, Weston pressured/dominated (choose your verb) Ipswich for a solid fifty minutes and built up a 2-0 lead that turned out to be the final score on Saturday afternoon.

In weather warm enough (60 degrees) at Manning Field to have some fans shedding clothes (see picture), the Tigers were fortunate to only be down 2-0 after a very persistent Wildcat attack. To say that Ipswich goalie Hannah O’Flynn and the rest of the Ipswich defense were busy is a total understatement.

While Weston came at Ipswich from every angle the Wildcat goalie never touched the ball the entire first half!

Meanwhile Weston had nine corner kicks down the other end during the first half and it was one of those kicks by Madeline Linde that put the Wildcats in front 1-0. My long-range picture shows the Ipswich goalie (Hannah O’Flynn) covering the near post but the ball has somehow gotten beyond her.

Forward Emma Dagres came into the game advertised as Weston’s best. She was accurately estimated from what I saw. Despite personal coverage from Jackie Manchester, the talented junior came very close several times including her first half attempt (in this picture) showing her blocked doorstep shot at Hannah O’Flynn.

Madeline Linde dribbles into scoring position with Courtney Long in hot pursuit.

The only thing that changed in the early going in the second half was that Weston was pressuring at a different goal on the field. Seven minutes into the half Madeline Linde got control of a loose ball in close to the left of the Ipswich goalie and dribbled across the front of the goal for a shot (left foot?) that evaded Hannah.

2-0, early in the second half. I was expecting Weston to get more goals but it didn’t happen thanks to a more do-or-die Ipswich approach. The concern about more Weston goals transferred into the need to get Ipswich goals. And there were a couple of glittering Tiger second half chances that failed. If one of those had been made maybe the outcome could have been different.

The first second-half scoring chance shows a look (see picture) that Thursday’s hero, Bryn Golesworthy, had at a shot right near the Weston goalie.

The second scoring opportunity (see picture) shows Mariah Brockelbank narrowly missing a tip-in as the ball rolls along the goal line.

Weston (15-5-2) moves on to the state semifinals. Ipswich (11-7-4) waits until next year.

Ipswich goalie – Hannah O’Flynn

The biggest change in the 2011 Tigers will be the absence of goalie Hannah O’Flynn. A combination of size, speed, and athletic instincts made her exceptional as the last Ipswich defender.