PICS: Xavier hockey vs. Cheshire

Xavier topped Cheshire 4-2 Wednesday at Wesleyan's Freeman Athletic Center, and Press Correspondent Todd Kalif was on hand to capture some of the action:

WEDNESDAY RESULTS: Mercy, Middletown, Cromwell, Hale-Ray, H-K all winners on opening night

Whew, lovely opening night. Great showing from Mercy in a rematch of last year's Class LL title game, equally great play out of the gates from Middletown and Cromwell. H-K and Hale-Ray were winners as well, and Portland couldn't finish a comeback against Old Saybrook.

Results:

• Mercy def. Career Magnet, 62-51
• Old Saybrook def. Portland, 41-36
• Middletown def. Fermi, 51-38
• Cromwell def. East Hampton, 44-19
• Hale-Ray def. Westbrook, 33-13
• H-K def. Old Lyme, 58-34

Joe's Three Cheers of the Day:

• Cromwell's Janelle Harrison - 19 points, eight rebounds, two steals
• Mercy's Jordyn Nappi - 19 points (11 in first quarter)
• H-K's Kiley Anderson (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Tori Peterson (14 rebounds)

Notable:

• Middletown girls racked up 51 points in their opener against Fermi, and Rajeen Mayo had 12 points and seven assists. Big start for the Dragons. We'll see if they can keep it going Friday against Platt.

Upcoming:

• Thursday's only area contest is Coginchaug at Valley Regional, 7 p.m. If all goes to plan, Coginchaug should win comfortably. 

XAVIER FOOTBALL: Mastro, Marinan & more

A pair of features from Jim Bransfield leading up to Xavier's title game against Staples:

• His coach calls him the heart and soul of the Xavier offense, an offense that has blitzed 12 opponents so far this season. But at heart, star running back Mike Mastroianni is a lunch pail kind of guy ....
  
• Sean Marinan Jr. on having his father as coach: “I see all the behind-the-scenes stuff that most people don’t know about. He’s a great coach and a great teacher. I try to make him proud."

Xavier, Cromwell, Valley/Old Lyme move into semis

Yup, three out of four. The only area loss was H-K, who fell victim to a very tough Holy Cross team. Cromwell, trailing 8-0 early in their contest, battled back to earn a spot in the Class S semifinals. Xavier rolled over G'bury, and Valley/Old Lyme earned a gritty playoff win against Rocky Hill.

• Xavier 35, Glastonbury 6
• Cromwell 23, Capital Prep/Classical Magnet 14
• Holy Cross 42, Haddam-Killingworth 14
• Valley/Old Lyme 14, Rocky Hill 12

OH. And how sweet is this picture (below) from Catherine Avalone at the Xavier-Glastonbury game?

So how does it pan out? Locations and times have not been finalized (although one game will be played at Middletown's Skubel-Rosek, we just don't know which), but here are the semifinal matchups for Class LL & S (check out all of 'em here):

Class LL

Quarterfinals		Semifinals		Finals
1 Xavier 34-6 8 Glastonbury @Palmer Field, Middletown	11/29	1 Xavier (11-0) 5 Norwalk (9-1) @Site TBA	12/3 2:00/7:00	@Rentschler Field	12/9-10 Time TBA
4 Conard 5 Norwalk 21-15 @Conard	11/29
2 Staples 48-21 7 Ridgefield @Wilton	11/29	2 Staples (10-0) 6 Newtown (9-2) @Site TBA	12/3 2:00/7:00
3 Hall 6 Newtown 36-22 @Hall	11/29

Class S

Quarterfinals		Semifinals		Finals
1 Capital Prep/Classical Magnet 8 Cromwell 23-14 @Dillon Stadium, Hartford	11/29	8 Cromwell (9-2) 5 Northwest Catholic (9-2) @Site TBA	12/3 2:00/7:00	@Rentschler Field	12/9-10 Time TBA
4 North Branford 5 Northwest Catholic 22-19 @North Branford	11/29
2 Holy Cross 42-14 7 Haddam-Killingworth @Holy Cross	11/29	2 Holy Cross (10-1) 3 Valley Regional/Old Lyme (10-1) @Site TBA	12/3 2:00/7:00
3 Valley Regional/Old Lyme 14-12 6 Rocky Hill @Valley Regional	11/29

State tournament draws for area teams

H-K is the only team represented in four state tourneys (and football still has a fighting chance, too). Mercy will compete in volleyball and field hockey, and East Hampton will compete in boys soccer, girls soccer and volleyball.


Notable seedings: East Hampton boys soccer is the No. 1 seed in the Class S tournament, and East Hampton volleyball is the No. 6 seed; Valley Regional boys soccer is the No. 2 seed in Class S; Portland girls soccer is the No. 3 seed in Class S; H-K field hockey is the No. 8 seed in Class S. (Strikethrough means team was eliminated)


Boys soccer

• Class LL (Xavier)
• Class M (Haddam-Killingworth)
• Class S (East Hampton, Valley, Portland)

Girls soccer

• Class LL (Middletown)
• Class M (Coginchaug, Valley Regional, Haddam-Killingworth)
• Class S (Portland, East Hampton)

Girls volleyball

• Class LL (Mercy)
• Class S (East Hampton, Haddam-Killingworth, Hale-Ray, Valley Regional)

Field hockey

• Class L (Mercy)
• Class S (Haddam-Killingworth)

PHOTO GALLERY: Cross country's State Open

Some pics from Tuesday's State Open at Hammonasset Park in Madison, courtesy of our friends at the New Haven Register:

SHORELINE SOCCER CHAMPS: Valley boys & Coginchaug girls

A pair of Shoreline Conference champions were crowned on Monday evening at Cromwell High School. The Valley Regional boys team overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to beat East Hampton, and the Coginchaug girls rolled to a 2-0 win against North Branford. Get the full story on Valley and Coginchaug.

VIDEOS: Shoreline Tournament action

Some Shoreline tourney vids for your viewing pleasure...

East Hampton vs. Morgan, Shoreline volleyball final (get the full story here):

Coginchaug vs. Old Saybrook, Shoreline soccer semifinal (story here, and they play in the final Monday right after the boys at Cromwell High):

VIDEO: Coginchaug advances to Shoreline final

Coginchaug girls will play in the final Monday (date was changed at the last second), right after the boys final (East Hampton vs. Valley Regional at 4:30 p.m.) at Cromwell High.

YALE HOCKEY: Some pics from Friday night

If you haven't caught a Yale or Quinnipiac hockey game of late, I highly recommend you do. We're talking about two top-tier programs, and Yale is oft-considered to be best in the country. (Oh, and if you get a chance to see the Quinnipiac-Yale game at Ingalls or the TD Bank Sports Center, do it. Guaranteed to be a doozy.)

Anyway, Yale took on Cornell at Ingalls on Friday night, and here are some pics from our friends down at the New Haven Register (Cornell won, 6-2):

ONE FOR THE BOOKS: The 1966 Middletown Tigers roster

You’ll probably recognize a few names on the 1966 Middletown football roster, as players went on to be Middletown coaches, athletic directors and councilmen. The undefeated team will be inducted into the Middletown Hall of Fame on Jan. 26. (Check out Jim's feature on the team here)

Coaching Staff

Waino Fillback

John DeNunzio

Robert Parmelee

Ron Brown

A look at the actual roster, with height and weight
(Yep, future AD Mike Pitruzzello's name is spelled wrong)

Players

Keith Byrd

Dan Maloney

Frank Marino

Felix D’Andria

Millard Manning

John Lutocka

Ed Stankewicz

Steve Korab

Fred Banach

Ed Dzialo

Sal Scianna

Mike Gannon (Captain)

Dave Parmelee

Dave Chiarappa

Bernie Ogarzalek

Pete McGee (Captain)

Tony Guerrieri

Dan D’Amato

Albert Manning

Mike Pitruzzello

Bruce Zila

Mike Scanlon

Charles Cecchini

Wayne Burr

Robert Stevens

Dave Pattee

Richard Salkauskas

John Korab

George Knowles

Frank Tarallo

Ted Pasculano

Seb Mazzotta

Jerry D’Amato

Larry Davis

Stan Edens

Nelson Prue

Nate Simmons

Jim Crowell

Brett Sylvester

FIVE AREA TEAMS TO WATCH

Tournament time is nearly upon us -- in fact, teams will be kicking of conference tourneys as soon as Saturday (as long as there isn't a blizzard).


So after a regular season with all sorts of wins, goals and saves, we bring you the five teams to watch that have serious chances of making a postseason run.


There's a lot more than five that have potential, but we've picked out the five that will likely win 
conference titles and state tournament games. Here we go:

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Coginchaug girls soccer

Lauren Esposito and Victoria Buonanni lead a high-powered Blue Devil offense and talented defensive core. They’ve cruised through the Shoreline, but their one hitch may be a technicality — the girls will be competing in the Class M state tourney after a schedule with nearly all Class S teams. Even so, keep an eye on these Coginchaug girls to rack up some goals and get some postseason wins.

---

East Hampton volleyball

Serve-assist specialist Marissa Morassini and her Bellringers have blossomed under new coach John Post to the tune of a 15-2 record. Shoreline tourney success will mean defeating undefeated Morgan (their last meeting was a tight five sets). Ashley Chasse is one of the top liberos in the state, and power hitter Julianne Toce is literally killing the ball. Expect the Bellringers to make a tourney splash.

---

Xavier cross country

Top man David Pugliese led the way to Xavier’s Southern Connecticut Conference title last week, and the Falcons jumped to the No. 1 spot in the state coaches’ poll. The squad has 10 seniors  and consistency on their side, meaning they’ll squeeze a ton of runners into the top 50. Look for some fine Falcon finishes at this weekend’s Class LL Championships and next week’s State Open.

---

East Hampton boys soccer


The last time East Hampton boys soccer lost was Sept. 21. Since, they’ve won 12 straight. Goal-scorer Kenny Steer is starting to find the hot foot, and goalie Austin Wosleger is red-hot after missing the first few games with illness. These guys have seemingly forgotten how to lose, and that should translate well to the postseason. Expect a battle with Valley Regional in the Shoreline Tournament final next week.

---

Portland girls soccer

Keeper Marisa DiMare has helped the Highlanders to nine shutouts in 15 games, and one of the state’s most prolific offenses has done more than enough to get wins. Alyssa Unikewicz and Amanda Ghent are just two of the many talented scorers on this squad. This is new territory for the Highlanders (they’ll participate in their first Shoreline Tournament ever next week), but goals don’t lie and goals don’t lose. Watch ‘em win a few in states.

VIDEO: Xavier soccer snags last-chance win, state tourney berth

Xavier's Brandon Butler
clears some space. -CA

Xavier saved their best game for last, coach Brian Fitzgerald said, and sealed up a state tourney berth in the process. Check out the full story from Jim Bransfield here.

Spencer Fletcher gives Shelton a heads-up. - CA

VIDEO: Coginchaug beats up Old Saybrook/Westbrook, 35-7

Get a taste of the environment at Coginchaug Regional High School when the Blue Devils beat up Old Saybrook/Westbrook, 35-7:

Middletown's Joey Logano makes 'Man vs. Food Nation' appearance

Middletown native and NASCAR racer Joey Logano made an appearance on Adam Richman's "Man vs. Food Nation" show on the Travel Channel this week, and ESPN has divulged this juicy clip of Joey downing a monstrous cheeseburger.



Did he finish? Not so much:

Four for 4-0; Middletown, Xavier, Cromwell, Valley still undefeated

Someone needs a hug.

Four games, four wins for area teams last night, helping them all to a 4-0 record:

Middletown 34, Wethersfield 10

Cromwell 55, Hyde 20

Xavier 49, Amity 7

Valley Regional/Old Lyme 41, Morgan 0

Saturday's cover, featuring Xavier football

Cross country extras

Check out the top five boys/girls finishers at Coginchaug's Run to the Sun Invitational on Wednesday (get the juicy details, results here):

PICS: Mercy field hockey

If you didn't catch the pics from yesterday's OT thriller at Mercy High, do so now! Catherine Avalone took some beauties. (And read about a dramatic field hockey game, while you're at it).

THURSDAY: A Bellringer burst

59 seconds, running wild and videos of the day

Whew. First day of high school sports season. Thanks to all the coaches who called in scores.

Outstanding stat/point/score of the day? Victoria Buonanni scoring for Coginchaug girls' soccer 59 seconds into their season. It turned out to be a 5-1 win for the Devils against Cromwell.

Other big event was the Mercy Invitational at Mercy High. Cathy Avalone was there to grab some pics and video for your viewing pleasure.

Speak of the devil, videos of the day! Check 'em out: