The Newtown Strikers competed in a friendly tournament against two of the states’ strongest U-14 premier clubs.

South Central, last falls’ Division I winner, was matched up first to face Newtown and the Storm opened up with a laced shot into the upper corner within the first two minutes of play. Another slow roller made it past Nathan Walzer who was tested repeatedly by the well-oiled South Central attack.

Walzer, throughout the remainder of the half, and then Andrew Fiscella in the second, shut down all remaining attempts. Mike Bonsignore provided confident sweeping in front of the net with Jeff Brunaska and Jeremy Barczak keeping the outside South Central offensive pressure at bay. Ryan Taplin and Brian Smith helped the Strikers with feverish midfield play while Marcus Tracey, David Kugielsky and Michael Vanasse all powered the offense. Matthew McFadden pushed past the last Central defender and with only minutes left in the match put Newtown on the board.

The Strikers then met a strong Southbury team and with only a 10-minute break were back at play. Southbury, a physical team, matched up well with the Strikers, who matched their physical play with quick ball movement and confidence. McFadden, Barczak and Fiscella all pitched in on the defensive stand while Sean Rawson, Chris Wolcott, Ryan Keogler and Peter Dittmar anchored the midfield. The Strikers offensive pressure was sustained by many, including Taplin, Tracey and Walzer.  The match ended in a 0-0 tie.

GIRLS U13 TRAVEL

KNOCKOUTS 6, MORRIS 4: Kaitlyn Fenton scored a pair of goals while Kristen Davis, Katie O’Connor and Sara Salbu scored one apiece to lead the Knockouts to the win. Caitlin Weber, Kelly Corrigan and Amanda Shevil led a strong passing attack.

NEW FAIRFIELD 6, KNOCKOUTS 4: Ashley LaRocque had a hat trick in the loss. Kaitlyn Fenton chipped in with a solo goal while Amy Doyle, Caitlin Kohn, Karoline Engel and Megan Regnery all had solid games.

GIRLS U12 TRAVEL

ROCKETS 8, TORRINGTON 0: The Rockets dominated play and gave the Torrington defense quite a workout. Mary Anders scored a hat trick, Siobhan Cooper had two goals, Erin Clark, Casey Frobey and Alex Konneker each scored a goal. The offensive pressure never let up from Mary Grace Ober, Christie Zingoni, Kayla Mesko, Vicki Cordosa and Caitlin Hansen. Emily Fields and Megan Rawson anchored the defense. Tara Gaston and Tori Thomas shared goal time.

BOYS U11 TRAVEL

RAGE 10, NEW HARTFORD 0: Newtown dominated the game and emerged with a one-sided victory. The entire team played well, with everyone contributing to the win. Jack Quinn sparked the offense with several assists, and Michael Murphy frustrated the opponent by keeping the ball alive for the offense. Ryan McGrath led the goal scorers with a hat trick. Joe Rahtelli, Michael Klein, Billy McCann, Ross MacLeod, Mark Cinquegrana, Nick Sando and Mike Kennedy scored one goal apiece.

GIRLS U11 TRAVEL

NITROS 7, DANBURY (U12) 1: The Nitros received goals from five different players in the win. Strong performances were turned in by Lindsay Weber at midfield, as well as Kristene Salbu and Rose Jackman on defense. Kyla Miles and Nicole Sieber each had a pair of goals, while Rachael Perretta, Darcy Fiscella and Weber netted one apiece. Miles and Maggie DeMarco provided assists as well.

BOYS U10 TRAVEL

Glastonbury Tournament

The Newtown Vipers ventured to their first outdoor tournament since the formation of the team in the fall. Great competition and consecutive matches (four in two days), proved to become a valuable learning experience for the boys.  The Vipers won both of their matches on Saturday and competed strongly for a loss and a tie on Sunday. The Vipers were placed in a 5-team division with a team from Pittsfield (Mass.), along with Avon, New Canaan, and Hartwell, all from CT.

Hartwell was the Vipers opponent in the first match and with Justin Miller scoring two and Paul Andras netting another within the first 15 minutes it looked like Newtown was going to be able to coast. Hartwell seized the moment and netted their first goal in the 16th minute.  Newtown got its composure back and behind solid play from defenders Chris Meier, Kevin Davies and Jason Smith the Vipers took over control. Kevin Troy and Drew Taylor kept the ball wide and strengthened the offense with aggressive minutes. Danny Smith was strong in the net for the Vipers.  Hartwell netted a PK, in the second half, but was not able to find the tying goal as the Vipers took the 3-2 win.

The Pittsfield Panthers felt the bite of the Vipers’ wrath as Newtown completely controlled the match both offensively and defensively. Alex Bowen and Drew Taylor minded the net for the Vipers and allowed only two goals.  The combination of Meier and Miller on defense allowed the midfield and forward to play aggressively and with reckless abandon. The match ended with six Vipers finding the net for a combined nine goals.  Kevin Troy (3), Tony Gallucci (2), Max Hoagland, Andras, Miller, J Smith all added one apiece.  Nick Kallivrousis started many offensive attacks with great play in right midfield.

Sunday morning’s’ 8:00 am match proved to be much more competitive for Newtown as Avon quickly moved the ball and created offensive pressure. Viper defender, Davies, managed to stop most of the Lightning’s pressure and fed the ball through to Troy and Miller in Midfield.  Andras broke free in the box and his quick feet beat two defenders and he struck one into the net. The Vipers had all they could do to control the Avon attack which spread the field well and hold onto the 1-0 lead.  Bowen and Hoagland combined up front to create many attempts for the Vipers but none ended by finding the back of the net. With only 2 minutes to play, a direct kick was awarded to the Lightning, outside of the box.  Avon struck a strong ball that deflected off of a Viper head and into the net for the tying goal.

The last match for the Vipers was a culmination of aggressive play, determination and well matched talent.  The New Canaan Red Rockets put the recoiled the Vipers by shutting down their attack in the first half and netting two balls – one in the seventh minute and another in the 23rd minute.  The Vipers, not accustomed to being down two goals, had to search for some answers and in the second minute of the second half Andras found the upper corner to bring the Vipers within one. With confidence back, Newtown put their game in order but could not finish on any of many close attempts. New Canaan’s attack was strong and continually crossed the ball into the box but Meier, Troy, Kallivrousis, Davies and goalie D Smith maintained control while Taylor and J Smith kept the midfield strong. But the Vipers fell 2-1.

GIRLS_U10 TRAVEL

NAVIGATORS 4, MIDDLEBURY 0:_Rachel Maley scored a pair of goals while Julie Landin (penalty kick) and Dana Schunter scored solo goals. Bethany Morin and Ashley_Braun combined for the shutout in net while Jaclyn_Petrasanta, Christie Attansasio, Caroline Kraich and Claire Ober were defensive standouts.

BOYS F DIVISION

SCORPIONS 3, SALTY PUPS 0: Tyler Edwards scored a hat trick to lead the Scorpions to the win. Ethan Carotti and Chris Hogan provided assists while Colin Tredger and Oskar Dean were solid on defense. For the Salty Pups, Jordan Mathurin, Vince LaFrancesca and Ben Federman all played well.

SCORPIONS 4, LASERS 0: Tyler Edwards scored a pair of goals while Ethan Carotti and Chris Hogan scored one apiece to lead the Scorpions. Steven Jaroszewski and Shane Wurtz provided offensive support while Bryan Wicki and Mike Tobin excelled on defense. For the Lasers, Nathan Barrett and Adam Buccino were solid on offense as Alex Kron and Nicky Wolfe anchored the defense.

CHARIZARDS 3, TORNADOES 1: Evan Batzer, Andrew Domingos and Nathaniel Burns all scored to lead the Charizards to the win. Keith McGrath had a solid overall game. For the Tornadoes, Steven Musco scored the goal, Zach Dent displayed great hussle and Chris Roberto was strong on defense.

WILDCATS 3, SENSATION 2: Brian Reszoly scored three goals as the Wildcats nipped the Sensation. Tyler Reszoly played well on defense and Michael Giglio made some clutch saves in goal. For the Sensation, Jason Kostecki scored both goals, as Brian Murphy was steady on offense and in goal. Ryan Cahalane and Herlof Sorenson also had solid games.

ROADRUNNERS 3, HURRICANES 3: Drew Woods scored a pair of goals and Joseph Capiello added one to lead the Roadrunners. Michael Notaro and Kyle Kimball provided solid defense. For the ‘Canes, Daniel McSweeney, Andrew Meisel and Kevin Reed each scored a goal and Kyle Pucker was strong on D.

BOYS E DIVISION

RAPTORS 3, BULLS 0: For the Raptors, a great team effort was led by two goals from Jeff Dinicola and  another goal from Evan Kennedy. Kris Arndt and Michael Shelvin both had an outstanding game. For the Bulls, Jeff Russell and Colin Smith played well along with Michael Daily in goal.

THUNDERBIRDS 2, FLASH 2: For the Flash, Tyler Adams in goal and Alan Schwartz anchored the defense while Kurt Nacewicz scored to tie and Thaddeus Adams scored to take the lead, but couldn’t hold it as the Thunderbirds rallied. P.J. Cochrane and Chris Salvatore scored for the T-Birds with strong defense by Kyle DiNicola and Matt Samuelson.

GIRLS F DIVISION

BOMBERS 4, TIGRESSES 3: Casey Schultz scored three goals and Lindsey Lively added one to lead the Bombers to the win. Leigh Garrity and Katie Pessin held the solid defense together. For the Tigresses, Olivia Dillon scored twice while Natalie Villa added a solo goal. Nicole Collins led the defense.

TORNADOES 4, EAGLES 0: Christiane Buethe, Sarah Feinstein and Denise Branecky all scored unassisted goals while Sara Kelley found the net off a corner kick by Molly Curry to lead the Tornadoes. For the Eagles, Kirsten Hudock, Jenna Lex, Sheena Finlayson and Alex Israel all scored.

TIMBERWOLVES 3, ROCKET POWER 1: Emily Weber, Kelley Sullivan and Nicki Butler all scored for the T-wolves, with Rebecca Castegner leading the defense. For the Power, Kristine Zadrovitz scored the solo goal as Marnie Thompson, Ashley Szabo and Kayla Hoffman all had great games.

GIRLS E DIVISION

DRAGONS 1, WILDCATS 1: Heather Young scored a goal while Casey Day and Alyssa Schreckenghaust had good games for the Dragons.

DRAGONS 1, HYPER YANKEES 0: Christina Sanchez scored the lone goal of the game to lead the Dragons. Vanessa Hansen was solid in goal and Kendra O’Connor played well. For the Yankees, Hannah Tennebaum, Brittany Perko and Michele Koury all had solid games.

TIMBERWOLVES 1, BUMBLEBEES 1: Jaclyn Schulz scored for the Timberwolves while Jennifer Iassogna and Mallory Webb played well. For the ‘Bees, Allison Jagoe scored off an assist from Emily Lockhart. Meaghan McCarthy and Lee Proctor both played well.

DRAGONFLIES 3, TIGERS 0: Shayla Mesko scored a pair of goals and Gabrielle Nastri added one as the Dragonflies flitted past the Tigers. Courtney Gleason played well all-around. For the Tigers, Kristen Gucciardo and Megan Brophy played strong in the midfield as Jessica Lively excelled on defense.

GIRLS C/D DIVISION

CHEETAHS 3, GATORADES 3: Stefanie Prorock had a hat trick for the Cheetahs. Nikia McFadden had a shot on goal and Jenna Zigman was strong on D.  Lindsay Chimileski, in goal, made some great saves.  Collette Naglieri, Kathrene Fuller and Danielle Springmeyer each made a goal for the Gatorades.  Lauren Damico and Danielle Alpert were strong defenders.

STARS 6, NIGHTMARES 2: Elizabeth (Biz) Bowen scored three goals to lead the Stars to the win. The Nightmares roared back with a quick goal from the feet of Diana Rawson, but the Stars were unrelenting in this sun-drenched offensive slugfest, however, as Caitlin Williams adding a fourth score to the tally against hard-nosed goaltending from Alyssa Scanlon.  Bethany Ober drove in another after intermission, followed by a sixth off Jessica Paynter’s penalty shot before the Nightmares fought back to answer with the game’s final score from Laura Reid.