Keep Calm and Buzz On! Homecoming Preview

     Boys JV Soccer kicks things off on Friday with a match-up against the St. Luke’s Storm. With many boys new to the game or just returning to the field after some time, Coach Matt Thomsen has done an excellent job teaching the fundamentals while the players gain experience. Matthias Vieth and Eli Parsons help anchor the defense and midfield respectively, while Howard Lu and Anderson Watts provide scoring and some flash up front.

     On Saturday, things heat up at high noon when Varsity Football takes on the Hilltoppers of Worcester Academy in an Evergreen League match-up. The Hornets head into the clash with a 5-1 record. This past Saturday they cruised past Albany Academy 34-0 to post their record fourth shutout of the season. The Hornets defense has been outstanding all season, with Quavier Johnson leading the way with 10 sacks. Defensive back Tyler Gibson spearheaded the win over Albany with two interceptions.

 

     The offense is led by senior quarterback Ethan Coady, a composed leader in the pocket. After a devastating season-ending injury to team captain and running back, Konye Taylor, the team has rebounded well with Caden Hillier stepping up to assume the starting running back role, with Chris Reiter and Nick Tuccinardi also contributing significantly in the backfield. Michi Holley is an imposing presence on both the offensive and defensive lines. Mark Schoonmaker, Joey Sansone, Luke Piagentini, Vlad Acosta, Ian Rose, as well as Elijah Light and Jordan Vermiglio, all play prominent roles and give the Hornets plenty of power and threat.

 

     At the conclusion of the football game, there is no shortage of action with six more varsity contests in the late afternoon. Boys Varsity Soccer hosts Fairchester League rival Greenwich Country Day. New head coach Ross Peebles-Brown has inherited a fairly small and young squad but has already guided them to a respectable 3-3 start. Led by senior captain Dylan Bettencourt and junior captain Ethan Berman, the Hornets have responded by implementing a hard-working and positive style of play. Eli O'Hern leads the way as top goal scorer with 5. It’s been a strong campaign for Julian Gangloff and Tyrese Cedon at the heart of the defense, while midfield maestro, freshman Kaleb Fiore, demonstrates an infectious level of intensity to drive the team forward. The team also features the flashy brilliance of 8th grader Anton Cruz up front. Andrew Kortmansky, Eric Yan, Aidan Fernandes, and Amato Civitello add plenty of support, along with Leo Dottori, another talented 8th grader. 

  Girls Varsity Soccer will also be hosting the GCD Tigers at the same time. Though clearly a rebuilding year, Coach Roland Joseph remains optimistic and praises the team for their tireless efforts both in practice and in squaring off against a slew of highly talented FAA foes. The team certainly misses their top offensive threat, junior standout and Olympic hopeful, Lilyana Joseph, who suffered a knee injury during the summer. However, talented senior Elizabeth O’Hearn returns after missing most of last year due to injury. Captains Lexi Bettencourt and Ellie Ratta, along with junior newcomer Lily Schoonmaker, provide exemplary hustle for a roster that includes 9 freshmen. There is no doubt that the best days are ahead for this team.

 

     Varsity Field Hockey is another young and gritty team, and has been playing very inspiring games leading up to Homecoming. Led by junior captains, Annabel Beatty and Bella Aldo, the team has grown in leaps and bounds in skill, ability, and endurance in the past few weeks. Goals by Beatty, sophomore newcomer Ella Bessoni, and 8th grader Alex Tombaugh have sparked the Hornets to rally and compete in each game. Defensive standouts, seniors Anna Soliwoda, Jiao Jiao Zhou, and Linnea Mize, have utilized their experience and strength in getting the ball out of the defensive zone and up the field time and time again. The team faces off against the Golden Knights of Marianapolis Prep. 

    Cross Country has enjoyed a competitive season thus far. With 19 boys and 7 girls on the squad, it is our largest team in years. In addition to seniors such as captain Rueben Colton, Thomas Dong, Alex Shi, and Perry Yang, the team has many new runners, so it has been exciting to see everyone right on the heels of the competition. At the Canterbury Invitation, top boy and girl runners, Will Sullivan and captain Mason Rickey, placed 7th and 10th overall in their respective races. At the Cheshire Academy’s O'Connell Invitational, Colton placed 5th and Rickey placed 4th. Coach Aidan Clark-Long says the team is excited for the Homecoming meet against GCD, King, EF Academy, and Forman School as it will be the last home race of the year. Next week the team competes in the CISAC Meet at The MacDuffie School in Massachusetts.

     Meanwhile inside the Beckerman Center, the action also continues. The Varsity Water Polo team first goes up against the Bruins of Brunswick School, followed by a second match against the Hydras Water Polo Club. Currently 3-4 in league match play, the team secured a big 10-7 win against Deerfield last Saturday. The top four players leading the team in goals, assists and steals are senior Patrick Cucchiarelli, sophomore Anthony Ferneini, freshman Heath Schwarz, and freshman Jack Cucchiarelli.

     Varsity Volleyball will round out the games when they tap off against EF Academy. There are 27 players and 2 managers in the entire volleyball program, who have brought great spirit and energy to the practices and matches this season. The Hornets have been led by Summer Krajcir, Tami Afolalu, Theodora Aslan, Sabina Kovalik, Sophia Sarrazin and Nyla Thomas on offense. Grace Wang has provided the setting, and a strong defense has been anchored by Sofia Cilano and Ilke Altindas, along with contributions from Anya Carter. New head coach, Gary Aurora attributes much of the program’s success to assistants Kurt Mollor, Kimi Berrios and Laura Montone.

     There will be plenty of exciting action for sure this weekend. So “Keep Calm, and BUZZ ON!”