New Canaan High School Spring 2013 Sports Preview

SPORTS PREVIEWNEW CANAAN HIGH SCHOOL SPRING 2013

2D NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013

By Dave StewartSports Editor

The New Canaan Rams’ girls lacrosse team has featured a dramatic one-two punch with Olivia Hompe and Sarah Mannelly during the past couple of years.

The two all-stars weren’t just a jab, either, it was more like a round-house which left even the best of opponents reeling on the turf.

Mannelly, the Rams’ field gener-al, has headed north, graduating last spring and now attacking the cage as a member of the Boston College Eagles women’s team.

The loss of Mannelly leaves some huge shoes to fill, but head coach Kristin Woods isn’t worried. She’s been through this before.

“After Jenny Simpson graduated (in 2009), I thought no one would ever score as many goals as she did

as a senior, but Anjalie Christie stepped right in and tied her the year after,” Woods told the Advertiser. “It just goes to show that when the opportunity is there,

kids step up and take advantage.”This year’s Rams certainly appear

ready, willing and able to make a run at FCIAC and state championships in 2013.

New Canaan is coming off a phe-nomenal campaign which included a perfect 16-0 regular season record, a 21-1 overall mark, and its second Class M title in three years.

The Rams suffered their only loss to Darien in the FCIAC semifinals, but rebounded with four straight wins in the state tournament, out-scoring their opponents 57-27. They also avenged their loss by beating the Wave 9-6 in the quarterfinals, and then pounded Wilton 17-9 in the title tilt.

This season, New Canaan returns numerous key cogs from last year’s machine and the result figures to be another big year at Dunning Field.

“We have high expectations as always. FCIACs and States would be ideal,” Woods said. “And we bring back quite a few starters. After the first scrimmage, it’s interesting to see how different a team is when you’re just missing three or four kids (from last year). But we have great kids and we’ve got great leadership with Kelly Armstrong, Liz O’Sullivan and Olivia.”

That trio has assumed the role of senior captains for 2013 and also offer the experience of being three- and four-year starters to the team.

Defensively, the Rams are stacked as they return four starters.

In the net is Liz O’Sullivan, a three-year starter who will continue her career at Notre Dame next sea-son.

“Liz O’Sullivan in goal is sort of our quarterback getting everybody organized,” Woods said. “She’s very responsible and on top of things. She’s definitely a force in the cage and we’re glad to have her back for a third year in a row.”

Armstrong is a three-sport stand-out, having played soccer, basketball and lacrosse for four years at NCHS. A fast and tough defender, Armstrong will make life difficult for opposing attackers.

“Kelly is a spectacular defender,” Woods said. “She sort of runs things defensively for us and does a great job clearing the ball. She’s a strong athlete and I usually have her on the other team’s best attacker. She’s a strong kid.”

Also returning to the defensive side of the field are Wheatley Raabe, who will play collegiately at Cal-Berkeley, and Brianna McEwan. Senior Abigail Sawabini, who saw

plenty of playing time last sea-son, will slide into a starting spot with the graduation of Julia Tuttle. Sophomore Elzabeth Miller will play defensive midfield.

“It’s veteran experience and the seniors that are back there all have a strong, athletic build,” Woods said. “That will help is in the big games.”

Also figuring into the defensive picture are senior Jessica Karl, who is injured at the start of the sea-son, and Elizabeth Burke, a junior returnee.

Junior Nathalie DeNey, fresh off a spectacular season with the Rams’ girls ice hockey team, will back up O’Sullivan in the goal, with sophomore Bailey Pindar giving New Canaan a trio of solid optins in betwen the pipes.

Hompe will be a focal point on offense and defense, after scoring a team best 84 goals last spring.

She also led the Rams in draw controls and groundballs, and was named the MVP of the state final when she scored nine goals and dished out two assists.

“In the midfield, we’ve got Olivia and she’s all over the place,” Woods said. “We’re going to look for her not only defensively, but in transition and on offense.

“There’s going to be a lot more focus on Olivia, but I think it’ll open up a lot for kids who never had the opportunity before because Sarah and Olivia have been such a big force.”

New Canaan features several players who are capable of becom-ing scoring leaders.

Starring on the attack are returning starters Bea Eppler and Lily Citrin, both seniors, and Isabel Taben, a sophomore who netted 32 goals as a freshman last spring. Sophomore Grace Freyre is also back with the varsity team this season.

In the mix for playing time are three freshmen: Katie DeMarino, Catherine Granito, and Sammy Stewart, each of whom has impressed the coach and earned a spot on the big club.

New Canaan won’t have much time to relax once the season begins this week as they host Wilton in a rematch of last year’s Class M final at 3 on Saturday, April 6.

They won’t face FCIAC power Greenwich this year, but rival Darien, Loomis Chaffee, Newtown and Fox Lane on New York are on the sched-ule, along with Farmingdale from Long Island, and Longmeadow from Massachusetts.

Woods said playing top-flight teams get the Rams ready for the playoffs.

“It’s good to play good teams and teams you haven’t seen,” Woods said. “You don’t know who they have, who their big players are or what to expect, so you have to make game-time adjustments. You never know when it comes to FCIAC and state play what everyone’s going to throw at you, so this gets you ready.”

Rams at a glance

Head Coach Kristin Woods (7th year)

2012 Record: 21-1, FCIAC semifinalists, Class M championsCaptains: Olivia Hompe, Liz O’Sullivan, Kelly Armstrong

Others to watch: Wheatley Raabe, Kelly Armstrong, Lily Citrin,Bea Eppler, Isabel Taben, Brianna McEwan,

Abigail Sawabini, and Elizabeth MillerCoach’s Comment

“After the first scrimmage, it’s interesting to see how different a team is when you’re just missing three or four kids (from last year). But we have great kids and we’ve got great leadership with Kelly Armstrong, Liz O’Sullivan and Olivia.”

— Kristin Woods

Dave Stewart

Brianna McEwan, a senior, returns to a veteran Ram defense which should give opposing teams fits this spring.

Experienced Rams ready to defend the crownNew Canaan looks for third state title in four years, and elusive FCIAC championship

GirlsLacrosse

The Rams, including Bea Eppler (6) and Lily Citrin (18) celebrate a goal by Olivia Hompe (22) during their 9-6 win over Darien in last year’s Class M quar-terfinals.

Dave Stewart

NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013 3D


The New Canaan Rams came within four outs of capturing a state championship last spring, a perfor-mance which was historical even without the final trip to the winner’s circle.

New Canaan was making its first appearance in a state title game since 1972, and was looking to win its first championship since 1950. The Rams fell just short, as Fitch of New Haven rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 6-4 decision.

Despite that defeat, New Canaan made some tremendous strides, and is looking to get back to the promised land again this year, and perhaps even take that one final step to a

crown.“There has been a tremendous

amount of carry-over,” Hoffman told the Advertiser. “The biggest thing for us is the experience. The experience of having the ability to deal with win-ning, what it takes, and how it feels. We’re playing to win games and I can see it in their attitude. They’re looser and there’s a confidence factor behind them in a positive way.”

The Rams have good reason to be optimistic this spring.

With a deep lineup loaded with talented hitters, plenty of speed on the basepaths, a strong stable of pitchers, and a good deal of experi-ence, the sky’s the limit for New Canaan.

Thanks to a midseason hitting slump, New Canaan finished outside

the FCIAC playoff bubble last year, going 10-10 during the regular sea-son, but they bounced back in the Class L tournament, winning four straight games before falling in the title game.

“Last year was a good experience for them getting to within four outs (of a state championship), and kind of playing with the house’s money,” Hoffman said.

Headlining the Ram nine are seniors Casey Ouellette and Andrew Casali, both experienced veterans and two-year captains. Ouellette has spent four years as New Canaan’s starting catcher, while Casali, who was injured as a freshman, has played varsity for three years as a centerfielder and a pitcher.

“We consider our captains as coaches,” Hoffman said. “It’s not just okay, you’re the captain; we expect them to lead the team. We give a lot of freedom to our guys and Casey and Andrew help with the whole atmosphere based on experience and the people that they are.”

Ouellette is the on-field quarter-back, directing the game and the pitchers from behind home plate. He also has atypical speed for a catcher, and will leadoff at the plate, giving the Rams a potent stolen base threat to start things off.

“Being a catcher myself, Casey and I can think along the same lines. He’s been with me for four years, so I’m sure going to miss him,” Hoffman said. “Uniquely enough, he’s a catcher and a leadoff hitter, which typically fit, but he’s the spark of the team behind the plate and at bat because he starts it for us.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more out of him than what I’ve seen so far in terms of his demeanor, his leader-ship and his guidance.”

Casali will bat the three-hole and has the biggest power bat the lineup. Like Ouellette, Casali is a threat to steal, and also has great range in centerfield.

“Andrew looks phenomenal,” Hoffman said. “He’s very loose and relaxed and he’s having fun. He’ll pitch, play center and hit third. Andrew is a very complete hitter. Being who he is, he’s not going to see a lot of great pitches so he needs to make sure that he’s patient. He’s a kid that if you try to pitch around him and he gets on base, he’ll turn it into a double or a triple because he’s going to steal. He can hit the ball and he can run as well.”

The Rams can also boast of a strong and deep pitching staff, with three varsity veterans on the mound.

Junior J.R. Anderson earned a starting role last year and made the most of it, working his way into the role of ace.

“J.R. is our inspirational lead-er,” Hoffman said. “He’s extremely vocal, he has tremendous tenacity and he goes after it every single time he’s out there. Even when he’s sitting on the bench because he’s not pitch-ing, he’s still a leader in terms of getting the team where it’s supposed to be mentally. I can’t speak higher of J.R.”

Junior Dan Rajkowski, who came up big during the state tournament, is also back, but has been dealing with an injury during the preseason. Hoffman said Rajkowski is on a pitch count for the time being, and hopes to have him back at full strength for the second half of the schedule.

Sophomore David Giusti moved up from the J.V. team and will start this season, with the third and fourth spots going to Casali and sophomore Alex LaPolice, a left-hander.

Junior Jeff Chen, another lefty, and Luke Montgomery, a righty, will also see time on the mound.

“Pitching is the name of the game,” Hoffman said. “We teach getting the ball to the right parts of the plate, understanding how to pitch ahead, and pitching with confidence. This year, we have the ability to let the older pitchers we have teach the sophomore pitchers we have what they need to do.”

The Rams will have a new look

on the infield with the losses of Doug Reilly, Gogo Jones and Willie Burger.

Seniors Henry Lavieri and Brian Moran will split time at first base, with Moran serving as the DH when he’s not in the field. Moran, the Rams’ cleanup hitter, was a star dur-ing the state tournament, coming with numerous clutch hits.

“Brian’s going to hit in the four spot for us and he knows his role,” Hoffman said. “He’s hitting behind Andrew, so they can’t pitch around Andrew, they can’t pitch around both. Brian’s got some experience under his belt and he’ll be fine there.”

Sophomore Brandon Abate and senior Grady Amrhein will be at sec-ond base, with juniors Matt Toth at shortstop, and Erik Jager at third.

The outfield will feature Casali in center, with junior Nick Cascione in right, and LaPolice in left. Seniors Alex Curto and Ned Galluzzo are also in the outfield mix.

Backing up Ouellette behind the plate are senior C.J. Altman, who saw time last year when Ouellette was sidelined with an injury, and junior Griffin Donnelly.

Hoffman said the influx of new talent coupled with the veterans has been a potent combination for the Rams this spring.

“There’s a lot of older faces here, but they’ve been welcoming the new faces as well,” the coach said. “Last year, we were good, but we some-times looked for the next guy to hit the ball. Now, we’re playing where if everybody just does their job, we’re good.”

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Mitch Hoffman (4th year)

2012 Record: 14-11, Class L runner-upCaptains: Casey Ouellette and Andrew Casali

Others to watch: J.R. Anderson, Brian Moran, Nick Cascione,Dan Rajkowski, Alex LaPolice, Matt Toth, Henry Lavieri,

Brandon Abate, Grady Amrhein, David Giusti, and Erik JagerCoach’s Comment

“The biggest thing for us is the experience. The experience of hav-ing the ability to deal with winning, what it takes, and how it feels. We’re playing to win games and I can see it in their attitude.”

— Mitch Hoffman

Dave Stewart

Junior J.R. Anderson, who emerged as an ace during his sophomore sea-son, will be back at the top of the rotation this spring.

New Canaan roster filled with diamond gemsRam baseball team looks to build on historic 2012 state tournament performance

Dave Stewart

New Canaan senior Andrew Casali follows

through on a hit during a game at Mead Park last spring. Casali and Casey

Ouellette will be team captains for the second

year.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

�



Dan Borgman has begun his 42nd season as the head coach of New Canaan’s boys tennis team.

To put that in perspective, the Rams’ other 10 spring coach-es have been with their teams for a combined 36 years.

So, having coached New Canaan’s tennis stars since 1972, what is it that keeps Borgman coming back for more?

“I don’t know what else to do with myself,” Borgman laughed during a preseason practice at NCHS.

“I just love the sport. I love playing it, I love the kids and I love coaching them,” he said.

The success has been high for Borgman’s Rams. They’ve won 26 state championships, including a current streak of four, and they’ve also cap-

tured 11 FCIAC titles, the last coming in 2010 when they defeated Staples in the final.

New Canaan’s 2013 lineup will feature four returning sin-gles players and a new look in doubles, as three of the four

Ram starters graduated.

L e a d i n g the team will be senior

co-captains Will Burger and Tommy Worcester, who will be in the top two spots in singles.

The graduation of last year’s singles ace, Nick Laub, leaves some big shoes to fill. Laub was a three-time All-State player and is now a member of the Colgate Red Raiders men’s team.

“We only lost one starter, Nick Laub, in the singles, so we have experience,” Borgman said. “But anytime you lose a No. 1 player that good, it affects everybody. Everyone has to move up and that No. 1 guy is going to face some very

strong players.”Borgman said Burger and

Worcester have been playing solid tennis this spring.

“They’re both looking very strong. To have them all four years and see them become more and more aggressive, and see them hitting harder and playing so well, is great,” the coach said.

Burger was a solid No. 2 player last season and is look-ing to take over the No. 1 spot. He was also a quarterfinalist in singles during the Rams’ drive to the state title.

Borgman said Burger seems to get better every season.

“Will was a lobber, but he was steady as a clock so he was able to win a lot of match-es,” the coach said. “Now he’s got a lot of power and he’s really looking good.”

Burger seems to have the inside track for the top singles spot, but Worcester has given him a run for the money while moving up from the No. 3 position he played last spring.

“Worcester is more aggres-sive and when you watch him, you say, ‘how could he lose?,’” Borgman said. “He doesn’t have quite the steadi-ness on critical points that Will has, but he’s a very strong player. Physically, he’s right there and he’s become a real competitor.”

Worcester was also a quar-terfinalist in Class L singles last year and was the only player to win a set in the tournament against Wilton freshman Noah Farrell, the eventual champ. Farrell ended up edging Worcester 7-6, 1-6, 7-6.

Slotting in at No. 3 looks to be Spencer Lambdin, a junior who played some doubles and some singles last spring. Right

behind him are seniors Devin McVeigh and Tim Casavant, both probable singles play-ers, although there is a chance McVeigh could end up in dou-bles after finishing as a state runner-up with the graduated Jacob Reiss last spring.

In doubles, the picture isn’t close to being complete, as New Canaan graduated the No. 1 team of Reiss and Patrick Newton, along with Luke McDermott from the No. 2 tandem.

McDermott’s partner, junior Andrew Penchuck, will be Borgman’s top doubles player, with the rest of the lineup yet

to be determined.“Andrew is definitely going

to be my No. 1 in doubles, but who will play with him, I don’t know yet. Jack Howard would like to and he’s a senior, so that’s a possibility. Jack has also improved over last year.”

Leading the competition for the second doubles spots are juniors Digby Philpott and Michael Hartnett, with fresh-man Carlos Mauleon also in the mix.

Borgman had a chance to see some of his players in action last fall when he lined up opposite Lambdin and Hartnett during the annual Allan Jay Memorial

Tournament at Mead Park. It’s the kind of moment that keeps things fun for Borgman after all these years.

“The poor guys, they looked so tight,” Borgman said. “Can you imagine play-ing your coach in a tourna-ment? I could’ve let them win, but it’s not in me to do that, so we beat them. It was a lot of fun.”

For Borgman, a 42nd sea-son is underway, and the goal remains the same.

“We’re going to be very competitive,” he said. “And I think we have a very good chance at winning states again for the fifth straight year.”

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Dan Borgman (42nd year)

2012 Record: 16-4, FCIAC quarterfinalists,Class L Champions

Captains: Will Burger and Tom WorcesterOthers to watch: Spencer Lambdin, Devin McVeigh,

Tim Casavant, Andrew Penchuck,Jack Howard, and Digby Philpott

Coach’s Comment“We’re going to be very competitive. And I think we have a very good chance at winning states again for the fifth straight year.”

— Dan Borgman

Boys Tennis

Dave Stewart

Senior Will Burger returns a shot during a tennis match at New Canaan High School last spring. Burger and senior teammate Tom Worcester will be team captains and the Rams’ top two singles players this spring.

New Canaan court kings hunt fifth straight crown


New Canaan’s Kate Howard was the eye in the middle of the storm dur-ing the Class L girls tennis finals last spring. Trailing 5-2 in a third set which would determine a state championship, Howard rallied for five straight victories to claim her singles match and secure a 4-3 win over the Greenwich Cardinals at the Yale tennis courts.

It’s a moment which head coach Erin Gildea will never forget.

“That’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my coaching career — not just because it was such a great comeback but also for the way she conducted herself on court,” Gildea said. “It got very tense and there were some things that happened that were not on line with good sports-manship, and Kate kept it together. She really proved a lot to herself and her teammates that she can be counted on.”

The victory was a fine ending to a 21-2 season for New Canaan, and helped put two earlier losses to Greenwich, including a 5-2 defeat in the FCIAC final, in the rear view mirror.

It was also a great lesson for the Rams.

“It just proved that if you work hard and you’re persistent, good things can happen,” Gildea said. “We lost to them twice but they were close matches and we knew we had

to play our best. They were a deep team like we were, and they were a strong team individually, but I think we showed we were a stronger team.”

As they turn the corner into a new season, the Rams are without two of their top guns — Courtney Gallagher and Phoebe Wilks

— but return a host of veterans for another run at conference and state titles.

Leading from the top will be senior co-captains Howard and Sara Greene.

Howard will likely be moving up a spot to No. 2 singles, while Greene will likely team with senior Kristin Laub in doubles, after going unbeat-en as the No. 2 tandem last season.

Gildea said both captains were people the team could rely on.

“(Kate Howard) really does put the team first and that’s all you can ask for in a captain,” Gildea said. “She’s worked extremely hard at her game, she played hard over the winter and she’s worked hard off the court. I expect her to be someone that we really rely on this year.

“Sara is a coach’s dream and she’s as steady as they get. It’s so wonder-ful going into big matches knowing you have someone reliable like Sara out there for you. She’s played in a ton of big matches and she’s a great example for the other players.”

Jensen Lee, a four-year starter in singles, will also be making a move, as she takes over the No. 1 singles

spot from Gallagher, who graduated last spring. Lee has been a steady performer throughout her high school career and Gildea feels she’s ready to take on rival team’s aces.

“That’s what’s tough about No. 1 singles,” the coach said. “You play someone who’s struggling as a team, but almost every school has that one tournament player who’s ranked high and can play at the collegiate level. No. 1 never gets an easy match. Jensen worked as hard as anyone on the team, she really wants that No. 1 spot and she’s ready for it. I have a lot of faith in her and I think she’ll do a great job, but she definitely has some battles ahead of her.”

The next two spots will go to Howard and Emily Brand, a junior

who played at No. 4 last season, while senior Emma Gruber and junior Jackie Milisits are in conten-tion for the fourth position.

In doubles, three of the players are clear, but the teams haven’t been hammered out yet.

Laub and Greene were excep-tional in the second doubles spot, and Laub has had two straight unbeaten seasons in doubles.

“Kristin has had two amazing years and it’s great to have her back,” Gildea said. “She’s one of the stron-gest net players on the team and really knows how to finish points at the net, which is what you want in a doubles player.”

Senior Amanda Merjian, Laub’s doubles partner when they were

sophomores, shifted to No. 1 doubles and teamed with Wilks last year, giving the Rams another formidable tandem.

“Amanda is also a fantastic dou-bles player and she too has been undefeated the past two seasons,” Gildea said. “Whoever she ends up playing with will be very lucky because they’ll be getting a very strong doubles partner as well as someone who has experience in big matches.”

Junior Sara Lovejoy, who joined the varsity team midway through the season last season and played at No. 3 doubles spot, and Caroline Gordon, a freshman with a strong background in doubles, are in contention for the No. 2 doubles team.

Senior Giuliana Savini, and juniors Tyler Kendall and Caroline Pratt are all in the mix for doubles play.

New Canaan will be hunting for its 10th consecutive state champion-ship this year, but Gildea said, above all, she wants the players to have fun playing as a varsity team.

“First and foremost I want the girls to have an enjoyable season,” the coach said. “All I can hope for is that they play their best tennis, focus on being a close-knit group. That team chemistry can come in handy down the stretch. Of course it would be wonderful to defend the state championship and contend for the FCIAC, but we’re taking it one match at a time. I want to make sure the seven seniors go out on a high note. I think we’re in for another great season.”

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Erin Gildea (2nd year)

2012 Record: 21-2, FCIAC runner-up, Class L ChampionsCaptains: Kate Howard and Sara GreeneOthers to watch: Jensen Lee, Kristin Laub,

Amanda Merjian, and Emily BrandCoach’s Comment

“First and foremost I want the girls to have an enjoyable season. All I can hope for is that they play their best tennis, focus on being a close-knit group. That team chemistry can come in handy down the stretch.”

— Erin Gildea

Girls Tennis

Decade of excellence: Ram girls roll with nine titlesDave Stewart

Senior Kate Howard keeps her eyes on the ball during a match last spring. Howard and fel-low senior Sara Greene will be team co-captains for the 2013 campaign.



On April 9, 2012, the New Canaan Rams boys volleyball team rallied from a 2-1 deficit and defeated the Danbury Hatters 3-2. It was a storybook moment for the Rams, giving the fledgling program its first varsity victory in its first official home match.

New Canaan finished 4-12 and now, as the Rams get set to serve up their second season, the focus is on moving forward.

“Our goal is to keep getting better individually, as a team and as a pro-gram,” head coach Katie Bakes told the Advertiser. “Every point, every game and every practice, the focus is on improvement.”

New Canaan returns a lot of players who gained experience last spring, but they will have to deal with the graduation of several start-ers, including Zach Edwards and Nick White, who were the heart and soul of the team. Edwards and White were the catalysts for getting the pro-gram started in 2011, and were able to see their vision become a reality last year.

Taking over for their former lead-ers are seniors Kevin Hall and Chris

Gutierrez, who will assume the roles of co-captains.

Hall played on the back row, but will move up front as an outside hit-ter this season. A wrestling captain

the past two years, Hall is also experi-enced as a leader.

“He has a good voice and he knows how to rally the guys,” Bakes said.

“He’s a tough kid, he’s extremely focused and he knows how to keep the guys on task. He really takes the sport seriously and that drive, whether it’s in a game or a practice or off the court, really helps the team from a leadership role.

“We’re looking forward to seeing his improvement in front row hitting, which is a new position for him, and in jump serving.”

Gutierrez as played right side and middle back for the Rams, and will be a libero this season.

“Chris is 100% heart,” Bakes said. “He puts in his effort full-blast every day, and goes for every ball no matter if it’s a drill or a game.”

“He understands the game really well,” assistant coach Amy Warren said. “Chris is really good about making sure the younger play-ers understand it as well and being patient with them. The competition

really brings him to the table.”Also returning to the starting line-

up is sophomore Tyler Edwards, a standout as a freshman last spring. He’ll be in the outside hitter role.

“Tyler’s looking good,” Bakes said. “We moved him from the mid-dle to the outside position and his swing is getting better. He played a little bit in the offseason so his swing is getting more developed. He’s a nice, humble, sweet kid, and he wants to get the points and crush the ball.”

Isaac Fishman, a junior and return-

ing varsity player, is being tried out as the team’s setter, with another veteran, junior Keith Griffin, fitting in the lineup on the right side.

Also in the mix for starting time are senior Sean McKloskey and junior George Herde, both middles.

Coming off the bench will be senior Peter Baran, another outside hitter, and senior Dichen Yin on the right side.

Bakes said she’s seen a steady confidence in the players this year, something which undoubtedly comes from having a year of experience

under their belts.“They’re a little bit more confi-

dent in terms of knowing the game, knowing how to move, and under-standing the mechanics of the game,” Bakes said. “They really came into this season pretty excited and they really want to get better.

“We have some new blood with a couple of freshmen coming out. That’s exciting because we wanted newer players and younger guys to help build the program. We’ll have them for a few years.”

The Rams are still getting things in order this week, working on all aspects of the games, trying different combinations of players, and iron-ing out the kinks for the start of the regular season.

New Canaan will begin its second varsity campaign on Monday, April 8, when it hosts the Danbury Hatters at 4 p.m., in the NCHS gym. At least in the early part of the schedule, Bakes and the Rams will be looking to take a small strides.

“We’d like to start putting the team chemistry together, which usu-ally doesn’t happen until mid-sea-son,” Bakes said. “But if we could start off working on that, that would be great for the rest of the season. We want them to work on the team because that’s the most important thing in volleyball.”

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Katie Bakes (2nd year)

2012 record: 4-12Captains: Kevin Hall and Chris Gutierrez

Others to watch: Tyler Edwards, Isaac Fishman, Keith Griffin,Sean McCloskey, and George Herde

Coach’s Comment“Our goal is to keep getting better individually, as a team and as a program. Every point, every game and every practice, the focus is on improvement.”

— Katie Bakes

BoysVolleyball

Spikers head into second season with momentum


During a light moment at a recent preseason softball prac-tice, the New Canaan Rams began musing about the count-less hours they’ve spent with each other for the better part of the past decade.

Playing togeth-er for the first time about seven years ago, the New Canaan softball players are about to embark on their final season together before college, and they’re aiming to make the most of it.

“There is a chemistry,” head coach Danielle Simoneau said. “The majority of them have been together since they were 11. That helps because they know what makes each other tick. But overall, they’re extremely talented. It’s rare that you get nine girls this tal-ented who have been together for so many years.”

They’ve also had an impact from day one. Joining a pro-gram which had struggled to qualify for the postseason, they’ve helped New Canaan earn three state playoff and two FCIAC playoff berths in three seasons. Last year, they were 12-10, but lost in the first round of both the FCIAC and state tournaments. They’d certainly prefer a longer post-season stay this spring.

Leading the way are the Rams’ five senior co-cap-tains: Cydney and Jordan Ventura, Courtney Rogers, Marlee Ready, and Brittany Overacker. That’s a lot of leadership on a team which will likely carry 10 players most of the time, but all five players have earned the honor of wearing the captain’s “C.”

“It’s their senior year and they all deserved it,” Simoneau said. “They’ve worked hard

and if you can keep the five motivated, that will motivate the rest of them and we’ll be fine.”

While New Canaan carries a lineup which is chock full of hitters, and boasts some steady glovework in the field, it’s

biggest strength is in the pitching circle, as Cydney Ventura and junior Ali Reilly are both

good enough to start on most area teams.

Ventura has been pitching since her freshman year, while Reilly moved in and earned some time the following spring. Last year, they both had their shining moments, and Simoneau plans on using both again this year.

“It’s a blessing,” the coach said. “Usually, you get one girl and she becomes your horse and you hop on her back and let her get you to the finish line. But this year and last year, we’ve had two girls and it’s an added bonus. Both are very strong and if one gets into trouble, you don’t have to worry about who am I going to put in now. The other one is

right there to pick it up.”Both pitchers bring some-

thing different to the table, the coach added.

“They both throw the ball very hard. Ali’s a little bit quicker than Cyd, but Cyd is very consistent with her spots. Ali has more movement and speed, but Cyd is fast and she has a little bit more finesse. She’s very accurate when she throws.”

Catching the two stars will be four-year starter Jordan Ventura, Cydney’s twin sister. Her familiarity with the two hurlers will be a boon for the Rams.

“Jordan’s going to the majority of not all of the catch-ing, which helps because she knows both of the pitchers,” Simoneau said. “She’ll keep both of them in the game.”

Around the infield, the Rams have three returning starters with Ready at third, Overacker at short, and Rogers at second.

“It’s not often that you have girls who have played those positions together for so long,” Simoneau said. “They know the range of the person next to

them and they know when the backup needs to be there. It’s a strong defense. They need to believe in themselves and I’d put that defense against anybody’s defense.”

Overacker’s return after missing most of last season with a concussion was a big plus for the team, and she basi-cally slid back into the infield and hasn’t missed a beat.

“When we played the (Darien) jamboree last week-end, it was as if she never left,” Simoneau said. “She still has the range, and she got a couple of hits.”

The Rams also received a boost from the addition of senior Amanda Frattaroli, who took last season off. She’ll be starting at first base this spring and provides another power bat in the lineup.

“The only one we have to adjust to is Frat at first and that’s only because she hasn’t seen the girls throw as much. But she’s making the adjust-ment fine,” Simoneau said. “She took last year off, but then she decided to finish out her high school career with us, so that’s good for us.”

When she isn’t pitching, Cydney Ventura will be patrol-ling either left or right field, with junior Collette Pellegrini in center, and senior Abby Jenkins in a corner spot.

“Cyd has deceiving speed,” Simoneau said. “When we played at St. Luke’s the other day, she tracked down a ball that I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone track down before. She’s fearless out there. Collette is a phenom-enal outfielder, she reads the ball off the bat well, and Abby will probably see the outfield, too. That’s a good group and a strong outfield.”

A great sign for the pro-gram is the addition of a junior varsity team after a

two-year absence. A few play-ers will “float” between the two teams, including junior Rachel Kortman and sopho-more Grace Wagner, along with Claire Conley, a freshman who will spell Jordan Ventura behind the dish at times.

The Rams’ lineup should produce a lot of runs this sea-son, with Cydney Ventura and Rogers at the top, Jordan Ventura in the three-spot, Reilly at clean-up, and Frattaroli and Ready at five and six. Overacker, Jenkins, and Pellegrini, all speedsters with decent bats, will fill the bot-tom third, although Simoneau said one of them could end up leading off, which would shift some of the bats around.

“Those top four are strong and it’s contagious,” the coach

said. “Then Amanda has such a strong bat and she’s a power-ful girl. Abby’s been lacing the ball and Ali is confident with her hitting. It’s just an added bonus to have those girls hit-ting so well.”

The Rams are opening the season against Harding, with a non-FCIAC match-up against Woodland before facing perennial conference contend-ers Trumbull and St. Joseph next week. The usual suspects such as Darien, Westhill and Stamford will again be strong, although the league looks to be extremely competitive this spring.

“You can’t say we’re the team to beat or someone else is the team to beat,” Simoneau said. “It’s going to be pretty close like it was last year.”

Softball

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Danielle Simoneau (3rd year)

2012 Record: 12-10, FCIAC quarterfinalists,Class L qualifiers

Captains: Cydney Ventura, Jordan Ventura,Marlee Ready, Brittany Overacker, and Courtney Rogers,

Others to watch: Ali Reilly, Collette Pellgrini,Abby Jenkins, and Amanda Frattroli

Coach’s Comment“It’s rare that you get nine girls this talented who have been together for so many years.”

— Danielle Simoneau

Dave Stewart

New Canaan softball has the look of a contender

Junior Ali Reilly (left) and senior Cydney Ventura give the Rams a potent one-two punch in the pitching circle

Dave Stewart

In addition to being a top pitcher, senior Cydney Ventura also carries a powerful bat for New Canaan.



From a logistical stand-point, having 80-plus high school athletes on a track and field roster can be difficult to sort through and manage. But a there’s defi-nitely strength in numbers and, for the New Canaan girls track and field team, there is enough budding young talent in the ranks to give the Rams hope for both the present and future.

“We encourage kids to come out and we don’t cut anyone,” head coach Art Brown said. “Everyone participates. It’s a popular sport in the school and we have a good group of upper classmen who make it fun for the kids. I have some new kids with a lot of potential, so it’s just a matter of working and staying with it. The ones who stay with it seem to do well.”

Four of those athletes who have stayed with it will be leading the Rams this sea-son, as seniors Eileen Dinnie,

Katie DiFazio, Julie Spinde and Sydney Czech take over the role of team captains.

Dinnie, DiFazio and Spindel are sprinters who have been in the track and field program

for four years. They’ll form the core of the 100- and 200-meter dash events, and will also play a big part in the relays.

“Dinnie, Spindel and DiFazio are all sprinters and they’ve all had decent careers here,” Brown said. “They’ll probably run the 100, 200, 4x1, and 4x4 and they’re capa-ble of doing all those events. They’ve been really good leaders.

“Sydney Czech is a throw-er who is also experienced a good leader. I expect her to do really well this spring.”

Czech leads a strong group of throwers, who are coming off a solid winter campaign and should be a team strength this spring. The ranks include senior Isabel Herde and junior Tess Decker.

All three of the throwers

finished in the top 13 in the shot put at the Class L cham-pionships in February. Herde had the highest finish, taking fifth place at 32 feet, 1 inch, while Decker was eighth (30-04.5), and Czech was 13th (30-4.5).

Another standout in the field events is Beth Kelley, a sophomore, who took third place at nine feet during the Class L championships..

“We have an excellant pole vaulter with Beth Kelley, who scored in the state class meet. She’s a great athlete and I expect her to have another strong season,” Brown said.

The high jump will feature junior Alex Naughton, a veter-an of the squad, and newcom-er Maddy Brust, a freshman. Brust will also compete in the long jump and triple jump with junior Maureen Schott.

Schott will be the Rams’ top gun in the sprints, and Brown said she looks strong after being slowed by an inju-ry during the winter.

New Canaan also returns a strong middle distance corps, which includes three members of last year’s Class L champion

4x800 relay team. That quartet included Stephanie Benko, a star runner who graduated in the spring, along with juniors Isabel Hetherington, Emily Wood and Liz Gordon, all of whom are back.

The middle distance races will include Wood, Gordon, Naughton, junior Azadeh Amir-Aslani, and freshman

Jane Reed, a standout during the cross country season last fall. Reed could also see some time in the jumps.

In the distance races, Hetherington leads the way, along with sophomore Emma Rosenstein, senior Sarah Luke and freshman Sarah Endres.

Brown’s been impressed with Rosenstein, who joined

the track team after helping the Rams win a state champi-onship in hockey.

“Emma Rosenstein, an ice hockey player, came out and she’s looking really good in the mile. I think as the season goes on, she could definitely qualify for states,” Brown said.

The Rams will also feature junior Keaton McAuliffe in the 300 hurdles, and Brown has said she’s been looking good in that event.

New Canaan will have a tough schedule, facing sev-eral of the top teams from the FCIAC, widely considered the best conference in the state for track and field. Brown said his team is gaining experience and looks to be competitive.

“We have a lot of kids, but I think we’re about a year away from being at full strength,” the coach said. “We have a good nucleus and they’ve all looked good so far. We should definitely be competitive. We have a lot of girls and some new girls with potential, so it’ll be interesting to see how we do as the season goes along.”

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Art Brown (3rd year)

2012 Record: 7-4Captains: Eileen Dinnie, Katie DiFazio,

Julie Spindel, and Sydney CzechOthers to watch: Isabel Hetherington, Maureen Schott,

Isabelle Herde, Alex Naughton, Emily Wood, Liz Gordon, Tess Decker, Beth Kelley, Maddy Brust,

Emma Rosenstein and Keaton McAuliffeCoach’s Comment

“We have a good nucleus and they’ve all looked good so far. We should definitely be competitive.”

— Art Brown

GirlsTrack & Field

New Canaan girls track finds strength in numbers


George Harvey, Devaun Bovell, Kalan Lysenko, George Bennett, and Nick Musicco have all been impor-tant parts of the New Canaan Rams’ track and field program the past few years.

They’re about to take their last lap through the FCIAC this spring, and as senior co-captains, they’ve taken on even bigger roles as the Rams continue making a transition under new head coach Bill Martin. Martin, a veteran coach who came to NCHS after more than a decade with the Norwalk Bears’ cross country and track and field program, took the Rams reins from Steve Bedard, who stepped down last spring after eight years at the helm.

Having five team captains isn’t something Martin would typically go with, but this year, the time was right.

“When you’re new to a team like I am, you want to try and highlight the seniors,” Martin said. “I don’t know that I’ll ever have five captains again, but for the first year, it made sense to have that kind of leadership. It gives them confidence that as a

coach I believe in them and then the team will believe in them as well.”

Martin’s Rams are a relatively small squad this spring, with 47 athletes in the ranks. They’re well-stocked with throwers for the shot put, discus and javelin, and have 12 runners for the middle distance and distance races.

Harvey will be featured among the throwers alongside junior Brendan Hill. Both performed wel during the indoor campagin, as Harvey

was seventh at the FCIAC finals and eighth in Class L, while Hill was ninth in the FCIAC.

“George Harvey is a captain and he had a good season throwing indoors,” Martin said. “He threw over 43 feet in the shot and Brendan Hill threw over 40 feet. So they’re the two guys who threw indoors who are back for the outdoor season and they’ve attracted other kids.”

Junior Beau Santero, a lineman on the football team, has also joined the throwing ranks and adds a little more depth to squad.

“Everybody who’s a field event guy is going try all three disciplines,” Martin said. “Hopefully, between the three, we’ll find something that they’re strong in and hopefully it’s

different for everybody.”The throwers have been work-

ing with new assistant coach Eric Pellini, a former thrower for the Temple Owls and is also a certified strength coach. Pellini and veteran NCHS coach Mary Ann Cohen pro-vide some strong guidance for the field event athletes.

“Her experience and wisdom and Eric’s youth and affirmation will be great for the guys,” Martin said. “He’s got some things going on with mini-competitions between the kids in terms of doing some of the core stuff. He’s developed a nice group of kids that way and the kids have really taken to him. It’s my belief that we help everybody regardless. So Eric is working with the girls as well as the boys.”

The Rams are also hoping for big things from Bovell, who had a spectacular junior season in the 110-meter hurdles. Bovell was third at the FCIAC, Class L, and State Open meets, before taking second place in the New England championships. He also competes in the high jump and the sprints.

“He’s had the misfortune of hav-ing to struggle with some trail leg injury this year and it just keeps

hampering him,” Martin said. “We’re hoping he can have a good spring season. He is a multi-eventer and he likes to do that, so we want to allow him to do that.”

Despite the injury, Bovell was able to win the 55-meter hurdles crown at the New Haven Invitational and the FCIAC meet during the win-ter, while also taking third place at the Class L finals.

Bennett and Musicco will join Bovell in the sprints.

“Nick came to us from football and he’s a great kid, great personality and he’s a good team leader,” Martin said. “He’s one of those kids you want to have on your team. George Bennett is probably the only guy who’s been on the team for every season in every year. George repre-sents the continuity of the program. My understanding is he’s come out of his shell more and more as he got older and he’s stepped up.”

Also sprinting for the Rams is junior Austin Deery, a runner who Martin said is “right on the age of becoming something great.” Deery could stretch out into the middle dis-tances given his seemingly effortless running style.

Another veteran, junior Max

Wilson, returns in the high jump after a solid junior year.

The jumpers and sprinters will be working with Chris Blackwell, a Norwalk High School graduate and former decathlete from Norfolk State.

Assistant coach Rob Frangione will again be working with the pole valuters, including promising junior Eben Jones, who qualified for the FCIAC meet during the indoor sea-son.

The middle distance corps will be led by Lysenko and sophomore Spencer Lyman, both part of the FCIAC champion 4x800 relay team during the winter.

“Kalan’s a great kid and he will head up our middle distance, distance corps,” Martin said. “He’s probably our best miler, but right on his heels is Spencer Lyman, a sophomore. Kalan not only has some competition on the team, but a reason to lead too. We want to make sure that Spencer learns what he needs to learn so he can progress to the next level.”

The distance races will include senior returner Tucker Radecki, and freshman Ryan McGough, who emerged during the cross country season.

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Bill Martin (1st year)

2012 Record: 10-2Captains: George Harvey, Devaun Bovell, Kalan Lysenko,

George Bennett, and Nick MusiccoOthers to watch: Spencer Lyman, Brendan Hill, Austin Deery,

E.J. Jones, Max Wilson, and Tucker RadeckiCoach’s Comment

“When you’re new to a team like I am, you want to try and highlight the seniors. I don’t know that I’ll ever have five captains again, but for the first year, it made sense to have that kind of leadership.”

— Bill Martin

BoysTrack & Field

Dave Stewart

New Canaan senior captain Devaun Bovell goes up and over a hurdle during a track meet at Darien High School last spring. Bovell had a magnificent junior campaign, finishing third in the hurdles at the FCIAC, Class L, and Open meets, and second in the New Englands.

Captains guideNew Canaan track

With Martin at helm for outdoor season,Rams have plenty of senior leaders

With over 80 athletes on the roster, Rams look well-stocked for the present and future

��

��



Back in 2000, Bill Brown first assumed the mantle of head coach of the New Canaan High School varsity boys golf team. It’s been a fast 14 years.

“I remember the day that (then athletic director) Vinnie Iovino asked me to be the golf coach like it was

y e s t e r d a y , ” Brown told the Advertiser. “It’s crazy that it’s been so long and that we’ve had the success

we’ve had. It’s been a good ride.”And the Rams’ ride appears ready

to roll once again this spring.With Will Essigs as the ace at the

top of the lineup and plenty of senior depth on the roster, New Canaan should be in contention for FCIAC and State championships, two annual goals it fell just short of last spring.

The Rams were 16-2 last year and earned one of eight berths in the FCIAC championships, finish-ing fourth overall. They then had their three-year reign as CIAC Div. II champs ended despite shooting an impressive 314 in the final at Timberlin. Daniel Hand came in with a 313 to swipe the DII crown by a single stroke.

“We’re very excited about this season,” Brown said. “We lost by one shot in the state championships last year and the kids were upset by that, but we’re looking to get back there, make the FCIACs and hope-fully win the states again. We’re ready to go.”

Seniors Essigs, Michael Swift, and Michael Slattery will lead the Rams as team tri-captains.

Essigs will play at No. 1, mov-ing up after a strong year as the second-spot golfer behind the gradu-ated Ben Katz. Essigs had the Rams’ best score in the state championship match, shooting a 4-over par 76.

A strong tournament golfer, Essigs won the 12th annual Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior with a 1-under 143 at Ellington Ridge Country Club, last July. He’s already committed to Gettysburg College, and will play for the Bullets’ men’s golf team next year.

“I could see he had the talent right from the beginning in his freshman and sophomore years,” Brown said. “He’s really improved and worked hard and he’s going to Gettysburg to play golf next year, which he’s excited about. He’s another one of the great kids I’ve had over the years who has worked at improving and is very positive with his teammates. He’s an excellent young man and a great golfer. He epitomizes what a

good captain is.”Right behind Essigs in the lineup

are Slattery and Swift. Both saw some time at the varsity level last year and Slattery competed in both the FCIAC and state championships.

“They both played some last year,” Brown said. “Slats played in the state championship, so he has that experi-ence. He’s sort of a late bloomer. He came out his first couple of years, but he really got serious about the game of golf between his sophomore and junior years last summer.

“Once (Slattery and Swift) found out that they are good players and they have a chance to be even better, they worked at it very hard.”

Brown said he’s been impressed with how dedicated the players are to the sport of golf.

“We had a team dinner at the Slatterys’ house late in the season and Will Essigs, Michael Swift, and Michael Slattery were sitting there going over their summer schedules for junior golf tournaments. It’s real-ly quite amazing how much these kids play now,” the coach said.

The rest of the lineup features five options, as the Rams’ varsity squad will carry eight golfers.

Leading that group is senior Tyler

Sands, who figures to fill the No. 4 spot.

“Tyler Sands is another one who takes the game seriously and wants to do well,” Brown said. “He goes up to Great River in Milford and has lessons and stuff up there. So he’s another hard worker.”

Seniors Peter McKeever and Trip Means are also in the mix for varsity time, and Brown said they’d both play in some matches this year.

Jack Jeffrey, a junior with “a great swing,” according to Brown, and freshman Justin Clark round out the varsity roster.

Brown said that Clark is a strong golfer with a great future.

“Justin is an excellent player,” the coach said. “He’ll be starting with the JVs at the beginning but he’s going to have an opportunity to play some varsity matches.”

The Rams have been hampered during the preseason, as poor weath-er and melting snow has kept them off their home course at the Country Club of New Canaan. They’ve been limited to the driving range and some time on the putting green.

New Canaan will open the sea-son against Stamford at E. Gaynor Brennan on April 10, before playing its home opener against St. Joseph

the following day.While the usual suspects,

including defending league cham-pion Greenwich, Wilton, Darien, Ridgefield and Staples among others, figure to be in contention again this year, there will be a new challenge during the postseason, as the FCIAC championship match has moved to Heritage Village in Southbury.

The venue is a great one for the high caliber of play in the confer-

ence, and will put everyone on an equal footing, as few of the players are familiar with the course.

The final is a long way off, but Brown is looking forward to another season of solid golf from the Rams.

“I’m so fortunate,” he said. “We have 20 kids trying out and they all know the game. We’re going to be right in the mix with everything and I’m convinced we’re going to have another terrific season.”


When Dave Fine stepped down after seven years as the head coach of the New Canaan girls varsity golf team, the hunt began for a suitable replacement.

How about an FCIAC Hall of Famer?

Priscilla Schulz, who has coached varsity volleyball, girls basketball and softball at NCHS, has taken over the reins of the girls golf program and is finding the commitment well worth the time.

“Jay (Egan, NCHS athletic director) asked me to do it and he knows how much I love golf, so I said what a great opportunity. I had to think about it a little, because it is getting back into coaching after so long, but it’s been a great experience.”

“I’m lucky enough to have Mary Montanus as my assis-tant coach. She’s been a great mentor, she’s showing me the ropes and she has a good rela-

tionship with the girls, so I’ve walked into a good situation.”

Schulz also had a pair of varsity veterans to lead the Rams, as Bridget Falcone and Ember Parker are team co-captains. Both played for Rams last spring, and Falcone already has experi-ence as a captain, having led the field hockey team in the fall.

“Both of them are great leaders, they love golf, and they’ve had varsity experi-ence,” Schulz said. “It was basically a no-brainer choos-ing them as captains. They dis-play such great leadership and enthusiasm, and they’re great role models for the younger girls and the girls who don’t

have varsity experience.“They’ve very different.

Ember’s more out-going and Bridget is quieter, but they both have great personalities and they’ve been wonderful to work with.”

Falcone and Parker are two of five seniors on the team,

which gives the team a veteran feel.

The senior corps includes Madison Seger and Sammy Esposito, along with Madeline Diamond, a newcomer who moved to New Canaan from California. Junior Katie Perry will also be in the mix for

playing time.“The girls are absolutely

wonderful,” Schulz said. “It’s a senior-laden team and while not all of them have varsity experience, they’re good lead-ers and it’s a great group.”

The Rams also boast a good group of younger golfers who will play junior varsity. Sammy Johnson, Danielle Meyers, and Katie McNolte are sophomores, and Claire Perry is a freshman on the roster.

New Canaan opened the season with a match against Trumbull

“We open up at Tashua on Wednesday and it’ll be both varsity and JV so all 10 girls will get an opportunity to play,” Schulz said. “I’m really excited to see them in actual match competition. I really can’t wait to see these girls play.”

Schulz said the team has received a tremendous amount of support from the Country

Club of New Canaan and head pro Dan Phillipon, as well as Fine, and boys golf coaches Bill Brown and Paul Gallo.

“Between Dave, Bill Brown, and Paul Gallo — they have been just wonderful,” the coach said. “They’re a great group to be involved with and they’re a big help for me. We cooperate and work well together, so that’s been a great experience as well.”

With the inclement weather limiting Schulz’s opportunities to see her players in action, the final lineup with which the Rams will go to battle isn’t set in stone, and things could change as the season progresses.

“We’re not set entirely with the lineup,” Schulz said. “Things might change from match to match and some peo-ple might be in one spot more consistently. We’ll see how it goes. Everyone’s going to get an opportunity and you can’t ask for more than that.”

Girls Golf

Boys Golf

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Bill Brown (14th year)

2012 Record: 16-2, 4th in FCIAC, State D2 runner-upCaptains: Will Essigs, Michael Slattery, and Michael SwiftOthers to watch: Tyler Sands, Peter McKeever, Trip Means,

Jack Jeffrey, and Justin ClarkCoach’s Comment

“We lost by one shot in the state championships last year and the kids were upset by that, but we’re looking to get back there, make the FCIACs and hopefully win the states again. We’re ready to go.”

- Bill Brown

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Priscilla Schulz (1st year)

2012 Record: 6-8-2. FCIAC & State qualifierCaptains: Bridget Falcone and Ember Parker

Others to watch: Madison Seger, Sammy Esposito,Madeline Diamond, and Katie Perry

Coach’s Comment“It’s a senior-laden team and while not all of them have varsity experience, they’re good leaders and it’s a great group.”

— Priscilla Schulz

Priscilla Schulz takes over senior-heavy New Canaan varsity squad

Girls golf team ready to tee off with new coach

Ram golfers set sights on retaking crown

Dave Stewart

New Canaan senior Will Essigs follows the flight of the ball during the FCIAC boys golf championships last season. Essigs and fellow seniors Michael Slattery and Michael Swift are captains of the team this season.



When it comes to the 2013 New Canaan Rams boys lacrosse team and its new head coach Chip Buzzeo, the only thing to be expected is the unexpected.

“We’re doing a lot of different things,” Buzzeo told the Advertiser. “Our main focus is being prepared for every game and every situation. You’re not going see us run one offense or one defense. We are going to have a multi-variable approach when it comes to offenses, defenses, clears, special situations, man-up, man-down.”

That type of approach should come in handy in the talent-laden FCIAC, which boasts many of the top teams in the region.

To be sure, the Rams have gradu-

ated a lot from last year’s squad, which went 19-4, reached the finals of the Class M tournament, and won New Canaan’s first FCIAC champi-onship in nearly a decade. The Rams

defeated Ridgefield 11-9 in the confer-ence title game, rallying from a four-goal deficit at halftime and giving

former head coach Alex Whitten his first championship with the Rams.

New Canaan graduated many stars, including defenseman Kevin McDonough, attacks Peter Kraus and Matt Blasco, midfielder John Brainard, and goalie Thomas Carey, the MVP of the FCIAC final.

In their wake, however, the Rams return plenty of veterans, with numer-ous others who will now get their time to shine in the spotlight.

As far as Buzzeo is concerned, the name of the game is preparation

and being ready for anything that comes the team’s way, something he learned while playing for coach Howard Benedict at NCHS.

“It’s not only learning what your team does best, but also learning what other teams do so you can counter,” Buzzeo said. “It’s not a coincidence that there’s New Canaan alums coaching in the college ranks with Andy Towers, Mike Murphy and Dave Campbell. A lot of that comes from the way coach Benedict taught us how to play the game and his focus on fundamentals, Xs and Os, and understanding the game.”

The Rams will feature four senior captains in defensemen Eric Persky and John Rhudy, and attacks Puck Richardson and Pete Johnson.

Persky, an All-America player, and Rhudy return to a defense which should again be a strength. They’ll team with senior Thomas Costigan to create a formidable unit which should give opposing offenses fits.

“The three of them are play-ing extremely well,” Buzzeo said. “They’re big, they’re strong, and they’re fast. Our defense is certainly a strong point for our team.”

The graduated Carey left some of the biggest shoes to fill, but the Rams appear to have two capable ath-letes in the goal with senior Griffin Falvey, saw time last season, and junior Trent Nader, who is coming off a strong hockey campaign.

Both have looked solid in the pre-season and will see plenty of action in the net this year.

The defensive midfielders will include senior Jack Isherwood, juniors Jack Gilio and Graham Wagner, sophomore Teddy Dumbauld, and Phil Arliss, another senior.

Sophomore Frank Cognetta and junior Seth Neeleman will be long pole middies, with three or four other players fighting for one or two more spots.

The midfield line is fast and furious with senior Duke Repko, and juniors Teddy Bossidy and Cole Turpin, all football players. Repko and Bossidy both began last season in the starting lineup, but were quickly sidelined with injuries. They’re both healthy now and should be key for the Rams on both ends of the field.

The Rams also have a second midfield line including senior Austin Nader and junior Robby Paul, both converted attacks, senior Griffin

White, and promising freshman Kyle Smith, a top-flight athlete.

Up top, New Canaan will go with four attackers, including cap-tains Richardson and Johnson, junior Harry Stanton, and sophomore Michael Kraus.

“As far as our strongest qualities as a team, I would say it’s our athleti-cism,” Buzzeo said. “We can flat out run fast, we’re quick, we’re strong, and we’re extremely tough. A lot of them are also multi-sport athletes which is great. They’re hockey play-ers, wrestlers, football players, and basketball players.”

One thing is certain: Buzzeo plans on getting as many players on the field as possible during the course of games.

“I believe in playing more play-ers throughout the game,” the coach said. “You can’t play your star play-ers for an entire game because if you do, they’ll burn out and they won’t be fresh for the fourth quarter. So instead of 16-17 players playing, hopefully we’ll get above 20 and maybe even above 22-25 players in a game.”

The Rams have had an eventful preseason, nearly beating Avon Old Farms, the ninth-ranked team in the country, before falling 9-8 in a scrim-mage last week.

New Canaan opened the sea-son with a Wednesday night game against the Wilton Warriors in the latest chapter of Connecticut’s oldest

lacrosse rivalry.For some, having such a high-

profile game early in the season may seem out of place, but Buzzeo doesn’t see it that way. In 1996, his senior year at NCHS, the Rams defeated Wilton on opening day and then again for the state championship in June.

“It’s great,” Buzzeo said of the season-opener. “When I was a senior in high school we started against Wilton and we won that game and then we ended up playing against them in the last game of the season, the championship game, and we beat them. Both programs are entering their 39th year of lacrosse. It’s a great rivalry and it’s the most his-toric lacrosse rivalry in Connecticut lacrosse.”

The book on the 2013 season is just beginning to be written, but the talent and depth are in place. The main thing to come is experience and knowledge of the game.

“What we need to work on the most is what lacrosse coaches call lacrosse IQ,” Buzzeo said. “It’s learning the game and taking that athleticism and turning it into better lacrosse, not only skills, but play on the field. With the way we can run up and down the field and the athletes that we have, if we can grasp the technical part of the game in terms of how to move together on offense and how to work together on defense, we will be a good team.”

Boys Lacrosse

Rams at a glanceHead Coach Chip Buzzeo (1st year)

2012 Record: 19-4, FCIAC champions, Class M runner-upCaptains: Eric Persky, John Rhudy,

Puck Richardson, and Pete JohnsonOthers to watch: Duke Repko, Teddy Bossidy, Tom Costigan,

Cole Turpin, Harry Stanton, Michael Kraus,Griffin Falvey, Trent Nader, Jack Gilio,Graham Wagner, and Jack Isherwood

Coach’s Comment“Our main focus is being prepared for every game and every sit-uation. You’re not going see us run one offense or one defense”

— Chip Buzzeo

Laxmen turn the page into new seasonWith Buzzeo at the helm for first year, Rams look promising for 2013

Dave Stewart

Senior co-captain Puck Richardson (18) controls the action during a Ram win over Ridgefield at Dunning Field last spring.

Dave Stewart

New Canaan senior co-captain Eric Persky (37)

slams the brakes on a Ridgefield attacker dur-

ing the Rams’ 11-9 win in the FCIAC champi-

onship game last spring.

New Canaan High School Spring 2013 Sports Preview

Documents