Weston seniors’ bond is strong
TROJAN DEFENSE
The Weston boys soccer team has been building toward this for four seasons.
Now, players who started for the team as freshmen are part of an all-senior starting 11 for the Trojans.
Four of those seniors: Max Blank, David Tamburri, Sam Chicha and Tony Fontana comprise a backline which has only conceded one goal this season and that came on a penalty kick against Bethel.
Otherwise, the Weston defense has let up zero goals over five games, including a 1-0 win at rival Barlow Thursday.
The senior leadership along with a new assistant coach has made all the difference for the Trojans who sit atop the SWC and Class L standings at 5-0.
“I brought in a new assistant coach (Chris Myers) who is absolutely fantastic about discipline in the back, shape and communication,” Weston coach Kevin Fitzsimmons said. “He brought in a lot of new ideas and the boys took the time to adjust to it but now it is in play and a lot of credit to Chris for that.”
“This is the first time, in nine years as the coach, I have been able to play all seniors in the back and it makes a huge difference,” he said. “Of our 11 seniors, six started as freshmen for us. I knew coming in this year I had good players coming back. They have a lot of experience and I think a lot more confidence and a lot more knowledge.”
Weston was co-champions with East Catholic in Class M in 2005 and lost in the 1970 Class S final in its only two state final appearances. With a senior-dominated team, reaching the state final looks within reach this season.
LIGHTING IT UP
According to the Collinsville Press, the 18th annual doubleheader between the Ellington and Canton boys and girls soccer teams will be the first time both games are played under the new permanent lights at Canton High School.
Saturday, Oct. 6 in between the 5 p.m. girls game and 7 p.m. boys game, there will be a ceremony marking the occasion and recognizing those responsible for bringing lights to the athletic complex.
The school will not be charging admission for the game.
The teams have been playing under lights since the doubleheaders began in 1999 but they have been temporary lights set up at Bowdoin Field and then removed.
Both the boys and girls will play a game each under the lights prior to the doubleheader with the girls taking on Somers Sept. 25.and the boys hosting Granby Sept. 28.
XAVIER RISING
Don’t look now but Xavier soccer is 6-0 for the first time since 2013 when the team reached the Class LL semifinals where it lost 2-1 to Ridgefield.
Among those early-season victories was a 1-0 decision over defending Class L champions and SCC powerhouse Hand. Xavier will travel to Hand Oct. 9 for the rematch.
TOP PERFORMERS
Hunter Pasqualini, South Windsor:
The senior goalkeeper made several big saves, including a diving one-handed stop late as South Windsor defeated Wethersfield 1-0. For good measure, Pasqualini made 10 saves in the next game a 2-0 win over defending state champions Glastonbury.
Tyler Warren, Danbury:
Warren was superb on defense and scored his first career on goal on a rocket-strike from 35-yards away from goal in the Hatters 5-1 win over Ridgefield.
Colin Luca, East Catholic:
Luca scored both goals for the undefeated Eagles as they beat rival Manchester 2-1 in overtime.
Praneeth Ganedi, Branford:
The Branford goalkeeper helped them to a 0-0 draw with Cheshire and a 1-0 win over Law last week.
Kenly Lalanne, Stamford:
Lalanne scored a hat trick in Stamford’s 3-2 win over New Canaan Friday.
Alfonso Vazquez, Windham:
Vazquez scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Killingly.
Henry Cohen, Weston:
The sophomore came off the bench to score the lone goal in the Trojans 1-0 win over rival Barlow.
GET OUT AND GO Monday
Trumbull at Ludlowe 7 p.m.: Two of the FCIAC’s top teams faceoff under the lights to start the week.
Tuesday
Newington at Hartford Public 3:45 p.m.: Both teams entered play this weekend unbeaten and near the top of the CCC standings.
Lewis Mills at Nonnewaug 3:45 p.m.: Lewis Mills rules the Berkshire League but Nonnewaug has only dropped one game and is primed for an upset.
Wednesday
Branford at Guilford 6:30 p.m.: Both SCC schools feel they are good enough to compete for the Class L championship.
Staples at Greenwich 5 p.m.: This has become the tensest rivalry in FCIAC boys soccer and with both teams fielding excellent sides, this year should be fun.
Thursday
New Milford at Brookfield 7:15 p.m.: The SWC is deep with talented teams this season with these two counted among the best.
Friday
Crosby at Holy Cross 3:45 p.m.: Holy Cross is off to a fast start in the NVL and would love to keep it rolling against Crosby.
Saturday
Old Saybrook at Hale Ray 6:30 p.m.: The Shoreline foes ready to take the stage under the Saturday night lights.
CHICAGO — Alexander Zverev beat Kevin Anderson on Sunday night to give Team Europe a victory in the second Laver Cup.
Zverev won the final five points to defeat Anderson 6-7, 7-5, (10-7). His victory helped Team Europe beat Team World 13-8.
Roger Federer earlier put Team Europe ahead by saving three match points for a 6-7, 7-6, (10-7) victory over John Isner.
Isner staggered Federer
By Joe Morelli
Wayne Mones has been around too many years coaching soccer to get too excited over a great start.
Notre Dame-Fairfield has won its first six games, the opening five by shutout, making the Lancers a bona fide South-West Conference contender again. The team advanced to the league tournament semifinals last season.
“Time will tell. I try to tell them how they practice and play in all games is who they are,” Mones said. “We are not good enough to beat good teams unless we play at our best.”
Katarzyna Zawadzki, a coaches all-state selection from a year ago, is the unquestioned leader of the defense that allowed its first two goals against East Lyme.
“Today (Saturday), we didn’t play well at all (against East Lyme),” said Mones, who spent 17 seasons coaching the Western Connecticut State men’s soccer team.
Toni Domingos may have surprised some teams with an impressive freshman season. Now she will get the extra defensive attention afforded to one of the league’s best offensive threats.
“She’s looking at Division I schools now,” This girl is as good as anyone in the league (SWC). I put her with either one of them (Masuk standouts Kacey Lawrence and Giavanna DeLorenzo). She is super-skillful. She is going to be an outstanding college player.”
The Lancers will continue to need contributions from several people, and continue to play solid defense, with the likes of Newtown (Thursday), Weston (Oct. 8) and Immaculate (Oct. 13) among others still left on the schedule.
The Lancers have been Class S co-champions twice during Mones’ tenure (2015 and 2016) before falling to New Canaan in the Class L second round last season. Notre Dame is competing in Class M this season.
“We don’t have any idea how good we are,” Mones said. “We’ve all got to get better, compete on a higher level to beat the top teams. We all need to be on the same page and want it bad enough. It can’t just come from me. That’s not enough.”
CROZE CLOSING IN
Senior Myah Croze scored twice, including one with 90 seconds left in regulation, to help Bristol Eastern tie Berlin 2-2. In the process, Croze tied the school record for career goals.
Croze now has 42 goals, tying the mark held by Christy Carone. Her first chance to break the mark is Tuesday afternoon at home versus Platt.
“Individual accolades are important, but Myah is a team-oriented kid,” Bristol Eastern coach Scott Redman said. “She’s elevated our program to another level and elevated our expectations to play at a higher level.”
Redman coached against Croze when she was a freshman and he was the head coach at rival Bristol Central. So he has had a chance to see Croze from both sides.
“She was super-talented then,” Redman said. “We game-planned against her.”