By Kim J. Harmon

It seems to have become a regular weekly occurence - Newtown High School losing one of its undefeated teams.

First it was baseball and then girls’ lacrosse.

Now it’s girls’ tennis, which upended powerhouse Joel Barlow before falling to Lauralton Hall, 4-3, on Monday at the Milford Racquet Club.

Now there is only one undefeated team left standing, the girls’ track team, and on Wednesday it was facing its toughest opponent of the season ... Weston.

Read on –

GIRLS TENNIS

Newtown 6, Joel Barlow 1

Lauralton Hall 4, Newtown 3

While all other games were washed off the board due to the never-ending rain, the Newtown High School girls’ tennis team had the good fortune to be traveling to the Milford Racquet Club to take on Lauralton Hall.

But it was fortune fraught with peril.

Less than a week after dominating South-West Conference powerhouse Joel Barlow, 6-1, on their home court the Lady Nighthawks saw their hopes of an undefeated season come to an end with a 4-3 loss to the Crusaders.

While the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles tandems of Jill Tanner/Emily Fields and Katie Serock/Jenna Moser were as solid as ever, the ‘Hawks dropped a thrilling match at No. 3 doubles and only took one singles match (with Kristene Salbu working hard to overcome Megan O’Connor).

It was a hard fought battle on virtually every court. Lauren Nemeth was stopped 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) at No. 1 singles and Ashley Gabor was stopped 6-4, 6-3 at No. 4 doubles. Salbu won her match at No. 3 singles, it was a tough 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) decision.

Tanner/Fields were tested at No. 1 doubles in a 6-4, 7-5 decision over T. Hanley/M. Steiner and Serock/Moser were tested at No. 1 doubles in a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 decision over K. O’Connell/K. Peck. And at No. 3 doubles, Nikki McFadden and Maxx Zimmer dropped a tough 6-3, 7-5 (7-4) decision.

A tough battle all around.

Oddly, things went much easier last week against Joel Barlow – what the ‘Hawks thought would be their toughest test of the season. Nemeth suffered the only loss and one could hardly blame her as the senior co-captain was squaring off against arguably the best player in the South-West Conference, Lauren Holzberg. But the rest of the lineup – from No. 2 singles player Sarah Salbu to No. 3 doubles tandem Maxx Zimmer/Lauren DeFelice – took care of the rest of the match.

Sarah Salbu stopped Christine Shawah 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2 singles while Kristene Salbu sailed through a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Sarah Sproviero. And Gabor topped Randa Dreznick 6-2, 6-3 at No. 4 singles.

Tanner and Fields worked hard in a 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 decision over Sara Russo and Chelsea Edwards at No. 1 doubles, but Serock and Moser sailed through a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Kristen Hanczor and Melissa Indiveri at No. 2 doubles while Zimmer and Lauren DeFelice took the only three-set match of the afternoon, rallying over Sara Fleischer and Taryn Colonnese 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

The ‘Hawks closed out the regular season on Wednesday against Weston. The SWC team tournament was expected to begin today (Friday) with the team championship on Monday and the individual tournament slated for next Wednesday and Thursday at Joel Barlow in Redding.

Newtown 6, Joel Barlow 1

SINGLES: Jennifer Holzberg (JB) def Lauren Nemeth 6-2, 6-1; Sarah Salbu (N) def Christine Shawah 6-2, 6-4; Kristene Salbu (N) def Sarah Sproviero 6-0, 6-1; Ashley Gabor (N) def Randa Dreznick 6-2, 6-3. DOUBLES: Jill Tanner/Emily Fields (N) def Sara Russo/Chelsea Edwards 7-6 (7-3), 6-4; Katie Serock/Jenna Moser (N) def Kristin Hanczor/Melissa Indiveri 6-0, 6-1; Maxx Zimmer/Lauren DeFelice (N) def Sarah Fleischer/Taryn Colonnese 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Lauralton Hall 4, Newtown 3

SINGLES: Kat Patrikios (LH) def Lauren Nemeth 6-3, 7-6 (7-4); Amanda Teplen (LH) def Sarah Salbu 6-1, 6-1; Kristene Salbu (N) def Megan O’Connor 6-3, 7-6 (7-4); Morgan Dunne (LH) def Ashley Gabor 6-4, 6-3. DOUBLES: Jill Tanner/Emily Fields (N) def 6-4, 7-5; Katie Serock/Jenna Moser (N) def K. O’Connell/K. Peck 6-4, 5-7, 6-3; K. O’Hara/K. Craft (LH) def Nikki McFadden/Maxx Zimmer 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

GIRLS LACROSSE

Newtown 18, Pomperaug 5

As devastating as its 12-11 loss to New Fairfield may have seemed back on May 9, the formerly undefeated Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team has recovered quite well.

Last week, before the rains started washing away their schedule, the Lady Nighthawks pounded Pomperaug, 18-5, to improve to 12-1 overall and 9-1 in the South-West Conference. And a tough test against Brookfield – which defeated New Fairfield earlier in the season – was pushed from Tuesday to Saturday due to poor field conditions.

In the win over Pomperaug, Rachel Maley and Katie Sudby scored four goals apiece while Kim Solheim added three and Karli Beitel and Lauren Ciccomoscolo popped in two apiece. Renee Solheim, Betsy Vendel and Lauren Clark also scored while Beitel and Solheim chipped in with three assists apiece. Maley notched a pair of assists and goaltender Kerrie Canavan recorded nine saves.

The ‘Hawks were scheduled for a trip to Milford on Thursday to take on Notre Dame before returning home for the 7 pm contest against Brookfield on Saturday which will close out the regular season.

Newtown 18, Pomperaug 5

GOALS: Pomperaug – Orrico 3, Melillo, Curran; Newtown – Rachel Maley 4, Katie Sudby 4, Kim Solheim 3, Karli Beitel 2, Lauren Ciccomoscolo 2, Renee Solheim, Betsy Vendel, Lauren Clark. ASSISTS: Pomperaug – Flemming 3, Goode; Newtown – Beitel 3, Solheim 3, Maley 2, Ciccomoscolo, Jen Greenwood. SAVES: Pomperaug – Powell 13; Newtown – Kerrie Canavan 9.

BOYS LACROSSE

Newtown 12, Pomperaug 6

There was a time when the Newtown High School boys’ lacrosse team – wading through a wicked non-conference schedule – was 2-7 and sinking fast.

But their fortunes took a turn for the better last week and after wins over New Fairfield (on Senior Night) and Pomperaug, the Nighthawks are 4-7 and in decent shape heading into the final three games on their schedule.

The ‘Hawks were expected to battle Brookfield on Wednesday afternoon (barring inclement weather) and host Notre Dame on Thursday before closing out the regular season next Monday against Brien McMahon at Blue & Gold Stadium.

Against Pomperaug, the locals were facing a 3-1 deficit at the end of one period and a 5-4 deficit at the half, but a six-goal explosion in the third period had them on their way to a 12-6 win. Will Mahony scored three goals while Brian Reszoly, Zach D’Agostino and Grant Speer notched two goals apiece.

Travis Speer, Brendan Martin and Kevin Regan also scored while Mahony and Martin provided assists. Drew Harmata made 15 saves in the cage.

Newtown 12, Pomperaug 6

GOALS: Newtown – Will Mahony 3, Brian Reszoly 2, Zach D’Agostino 2, Grant Speer 2, Travis Speer, Brendan Martin, Kevin Regan; Pomperaug – Ken Pun 3, Sam Archie 2, Alex Archie. ASSISTS: Newtown – Mahony, Martin; Pomperaug – Pun 2, Eric Samuelson. SAVES: Newtown – Drew Harmata 15; Pomperaug – Matt Cuchta 17

BOYS TENNIS

Joel Barlow 7, Newtown 0

Pomperaug 5, Newtown 1

Yes, the outcomes were essentially meaningless but there were still benefits to be found in matches against Joel Barlow and Pomperaug.

Although its South-West Conference playoff hopes have gone the way of the Dodo and the Carolina parakeet, the Newtown High School boys’ tennis team expects to send most of its starting lineup to the individual tournament next week and needed to continue to tune up.

The Nighthawks had a tough time of it, though, dropping a 7-0 decision to Barlow and a 5-1 decision to Pomperaug in a match suspended due to weather.

“Increasing rain transformed a slick surface into a treacherous one,” said head coach Marty Margulies, “and the match was discontinued, by mutual consent, as soon as the singles events were over.”

The teams also agreed that the duos which were ahead in the first two doubles matches, already underway, would be declared the winners and that the third doubles, which had not begun, would be cancelled.

“Both the Barlow and the Pomperaug results were meaningless, as we had already been eliminated from the SWC team playoffs,” said coach Margulies, “but, on the brighter side, we had already qualified to send a full team to the post-season state tournament. The only players who had any stake in the outcome, therefore, were those who are competing for a berth in the SWC individual tournament.”

Although the ‘Hawks were swept by the Falcons, Drew Adamek gave Charles Feldman a stiff test at No. 1 singles before falling 6-2, 6-2 and the No. 1 doubles tandem of Mike Coster and Jim Wilkins challenged Russell Frost and Dan Klufas before falling 6-3, 6-4. Adam Wenick and Evan Batzer also played well at No. 2 doubles, but dropped a 6-3, 6-2 decision to Chris Summerlin and Lucas Montgomery.

The ‘Hawks had a much tougher time against the Panthers as Wenick and Batzer recorded the only win, capturing the first set, 6-2, before their match against Nick Progli and Kyle Layton was suspended due to weather.

A match against Weston still remained on the schedule Wednesday and when all is said and done, coach Margulies expects Adamek (No. 1 singles), Mario Roehrs (No. 4 singles), Coster and Wilkins (No. 1 doubles), Wenick and Batzer (No. 2 doubles) and possibly Max Margulies (No. 3 singles) to qualify for the individual tournament next week.

“That would be a significant accomplishment,” said coach Margulies. “And Coster and Wilkins have raised their play to an impressive level in their recent matches and it would not surprise me if they were to defeat, in the tournament, some of the teams that beat them earlier in the season.”

The ‘Hawks entered the final stage of the 2006 season at 7-6 overall, 7-4 in the South-West Conference.

Joel Barlow 7, Newtown 0

SINGLES: Charles Feldman (JB) def Drew Adamek 6-2, 6-2; Luke Sproviero (JB) def Max Margulies 6-0, 6-2; Morgan Pinter (JB) def Mario Roehrs 6-0, 6-1; Austin Afridi (JB) def Dan Cassidy 6-0, 6-1. DOUBLES: Russell Frost/Dan Klufas (JB) def Mike Coster/Jim Wilkins 6-3, 6-4; Chris Summerlin/Lucas Montgomery (JB) def Adam Wenick/Evan Batzer 6-3, 6-2; Jack Rosenfeld/Charles Lillicraf (JB) def Justin Pacheco/Evan Ritzinger 6-0, 6-0.

Pomperaug 5, Newtown 1

SINGLES: Elie Bilmes (P) def Drew Adamek 6-0, 6-0; Conor McNeish (P) def Max Margulies 6-0, 6-0; Joe Shannon (P) def Mario Roehrs 6-0, 6-1; Mike Beatty (P) def Justin Pacheco 6-0, 6-0. DOUBLES: Alex Alfano/Ben Horn def Mike Coster/Jim Wilkins 6-2, 1-2 retired; Adam Wenick/Evan Batzer def Nick Progli/Kyle Layton 6-2, 2-2 retired; No. 3 doubles canceled.

GOLF

Newtown 165, Masuk 172

The karma was good.

Newtown High School golf coach Jen Huettner was excited about the performances of Billy McCann and Steve Oberstadt at the annual Stigberg Tournament at Farmingbury Hills in Wolcott last week and maybe it had something to do with the karma of it all; last year, the Newtown representatives at the Stigberg had trouble mastering the tough, little course.

McCann carded an 82 and Oberstadt added an 83 for a cumulative round of 165, eight strokes behind tournament champion Cheshire.

McCann and Oberstadt remained sharp a day later when the Nighthawks returned to their South-West Conference schedule against arch-rival Masuk at the Newtown Country Club, firing rounds of 5-over 38 and 9-over 42, respectively, as the ‘Hawks knocked off the Panthers, 165-172.

While the locals improved to 7-4 overall and 4-2 in the SWC, the Panthers fell to 10-1 overall.

Dave McLaughlin was second for the ‘Hawks with an 8-over 41 while Pat Daly shot an 11-over 44. Those rounds were solid enough that the ‘Hawks were able to overcome a blistering even-par round of 33 turned in by Nick Esposito of Masuk.

The Panthers suffered, however, when Brendan McHigh and Jim Viglione carded rounds of 13-over 46 and Brad Kollman recorded a 14-over 47.

Newtown 165, Masuk 172

INDIVIDUALS: Newtown – Billy McCann 38, Dave McLaughlin 41, Steve Oberstadt 42, Pat Daly 44; Masuk – Nick Esposito 33, Brendan McHigh 46, Jim Viglione 46, Brad Kollmann 47. COURSE: Newtown Country Club. MEDALIST: Nick Esposito 33.

BASEBALL

Bunnell 3, Newtown 2

It may be a great place to play a game, but The Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport hasn’t been all that kind to the Newtown High School baseball team.

The Nighthawks returned to Harbor Yard about two weeks after dropping a 6-5 decision to FCIAC foe Staples of Westport and did not fare much better, falling 3-2 to Bunnell and being limited to only three hits by Dan Paolini and striking out nine times along the way.

Dan Murdoch got the start for the ‘Hawks, but was reached for three runs in the first two innings. The locals scored once in the top of the second and once in the top of the fourth – helped by an RBI single from Seth Hull – but that was all.

The ‘Hawks were scheduled to visit Stratford on Wednesday and host Masuk on Thursday before closing out the regular season at home on Saturday with a doubleheader against Brookfield (1 pm) and Joel Barlow (4 pm).

Bunnell 3, Newtown 2

BATTERIES: Newtown – Dan Murdoch, Steve Marks (5) and Pete Oggeri; Bunnell – Dan Paolini and Dan West, Greg Fabso (4).

SOFTBALL

Bunnell 8, Newtown 2

It was over almost before it began.

After posting four wins in a row, the Newtown High School softball team ran into a Bunnell team that was coming off two consecutive extra inning games – the second being a bitter, 1-0, 12-inning loss to Masuk and freshman phenom Rachel Fico – and clearly itching to get its offense moving again.

The Lady Bulldogs pounded out 10 hits and scored seven times in the first two innings off Newtown starter Jenna Legros enroute to an 8-2 win. Starting pitcher Rachel Barbineau helped herself by banging out two hits.

Sam Ciaccia had one of the lone highlights for the locals when she belted a solo homer over Barbineau.

The ‘Hawks dropped to 10-6 overall. They were expected to travel to Stratford on Wednesday before hosting Fico and Masuk on Thursday under the lights at Treadwell Park. The locals will close out the regular season on Saturday against Brookfield.

Bunnell 8, Newtown 2

BATTERIES: Newtown – Jenna Legros and Ashley Ferris; Bunnell – Rachel Babineau and Katie Seres. HOME RUN: Sam Ciaccia.

BOYS TRACK

Weston 102, Newtown 44

There was going to be no stopping the Weston High School boys’ track and field team on Tuesday afternoon.

But at least Newtown still managed to come away with a few events.

While the Trojans recorded their 37th consecutive win and second straight undefeated seasib with a 102-48 win over Bunnell and 106-44 win over Newtown, the Nighthawks added a win over Bunnell to close out the regular season at 8-4.

Individually, four different ‘Hawks won their events.

Will Jacob captured the 110-meter high hurdles in 17.2; Jeff Lipnick won the 300 intermediate hurdles in 43.9; Eric MacKnight won the 3,200 meter race at 10:20.6; and  Mike Mitchell won the high jump in 5-8.

The South-West Conference championship meet will be held Tuesday, May 23, at Newtown High School. The first event is slated to go off at 4:30 pm.