Educational Excellence Since 1912
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12

Early Fall Update: Varsity Football Joins Evergreen League. Boys Soccer on the Right Foot.

Bud Kohler
For the first time in decades, the Fairchester Athletic Association will not include Football as one of its sports. Over the years there have been a variety of schools join and depart the FAA for football, as it is certainly the most difficult program to maintain at a competitive level, with most members being amongst the smallest schools in the state to offer the sport. Nevertheless, the core teams of Hamden Hall, King, St. Luke’s, Hopkins, and Rye had always found a way to keep the best small prep day school league in New England going. Unfortunately, with the departure of Hopkins and Rye to leagues they deemed more appropriate to their programs, the remaining schools have had to look to new alternative opportunities. Thus Hamden Hall has joined the very competitive Evergreen League, which features many boarding schools from the New England area. This will certainly provide a tough challenge each week for the Hornets, especially being placed in the Tier 1 division, but Coach Joe Linta and his staff have always been willing to take on all comers, and have made the program perennial contenders for post season New England Bowl games, including championships in 2016 and 2017.

     The team returns a number of key players, including star running back Jordan Benoit, as well as fellow senior Mike DeMatteo, junior Kai Ellis, sophomore Konye Taylor, and often unsung hero, Paul Gregory. Senior Matt Wright was injured during preseason, but hopes to return in a few weeks. However, success for the Hornets will likely depend on how well plenty of new faces gel as a team. Junior James Laubstein is now behind center and has demonstrated veteran composure and skill in the first two games. In addition to Benoit, the Hornets are looking to Zach Conlan and Corey Walters to add to the attack. Coach Linta is also relying on the likes of Bryce Anderson, Sam Leito, Michi Holley, and Amari Philips to contribute on both sides of the ball. Ned McBain was another to suffer an early season injury and is uncertain to return, but Owen McDonough has stepped in and done a fine job at center.
     After a 20-18 scrimmage win over Sacred Heart HS of Waterbury, the Hornets made their Evergreen debut, and showed no signs of triskaidekaphobia when they hosted Rivers School from Massachusetts on Friday the 13th evening, and emerged with a scrappy 18-16 victory. After trailing 8-6, the Hornets reeled off two scores with a great mix of air and ground attack to take an 18-8 lead. Unfortunately, they just could not quite deliver the knockout punch, and needed to rely on the defense to hold off the visiting Red Wings, who hung tough right to the end. Laubstein went 11/20 and threw for 198 yards, with two TDs, including a 59 yard strike to Zach Conlan and another to Corey Walters. Laubstein also ran for 98 yards, while Benoit ran for 64 yards on 10 carries. Conlan and Taylor were standouts on defense with 6 tackles apiece, assisted by junior Kai Ellis and freshman Bennett DellaValle. 
     Unfortunately, last Saturday’s game did not go as well, as the Hornets fell 33-16 to powerhouse St. Paul’s of New Hampshire. The Hornets held their own in the first half and only trailed the Big Red 14-8 at the break. They marched down the field to start the second half but the attack stalled, and the Hornets then gave up a TD on a long strike as well as a pick 6 that enabled the visitors to pull away. Things do not get any easier when the team travels this Friday to Brookline, Mass. to face off against a tough Dexter-Southfield team, but the team is in good spirits and definitely up to the challenge. Be sure to look for the Hornets on Max Preps to see all the stats and catch video highlights.

     One of the most improved programs is the Boys Varsity Soccer team, led by second year coach and former English pro player Dan Pinkerton. Last year, Pinkerton helped guide the team to a respectable 7-7 record, and both he and the boys have high expectations of contending in every game this year. They are certainly off to a solid start with a 3-1 record. Like football, the soccer squad is a successful blend of key returnees and new impact players. Alex Horvath-Diano and Chase Lilly are the senior captains and provide plenty of composure and confidence. Lilly has dropped back from his midfield position to join juniors Spencer McCleery and Johar Varma, and sophomore Cam Maldonado to anchor a defense that has only given up 3 goals in four contests. Credit also goes to senior Zach Giugno, a keeper for the JV last year, but more noted as a lacrosse standout, who has displayed great reflexes and good hands in goal. Standout Alex H-D has already committed to Conn College and provides either defense or offense depending on the game and opponent: “horses for courses” as Coach Pinkerton might say. Junior Liam Kohler quarterbacks the team from his central position at midfield, while Joe Tenedine and Frankie Feng return as offensive threats. Gabe Sabatelli has returned to HH and adds his skillful footwork and deft shooting to the attack, along with new sophomore Matteo Romero. Another newcomer, Colin Gore-Crimes, and Josh Tenedine from last year’s JV, have a terrific work rate and allow the team to pressure the opponents upfield much more than last year.
     The team opened with a solid 3-0 win over Christian Heritage. Liam Kohler dished out three assists, including a perfectly weighted curling ball that sprung Alex H-D for a classic breakaway goal. Gabe Sabatelli also smashed a stinging drive over the keeper to help seal the win. The team then faced off against crosstown rival Hopkins. Over the recent years, the Hornets have struggled significantly against one of the Hilltopppers’ best programs. However, the Hornets held the visitors to a 0-0 halftime score with relentless defending while always threatening on the counter. The Hop finally won the game on two great strikes that Zach Giugno had no chance on. Afterwards, the Hopkins coach came over to express his genuine respect for the vast improvement in the quality of the Hornets’ game. Last week, the Hornets took their game on the road, first dominating the Harvey School of New York 7-2, and then recording another clean sheet against the Williams School of New London 4-0. Against Harvey, Alex H-D moved up to the front line and scored 4, while Cam Maldonado recorded 3 assists. Joe Tenedine and Matteo Romero also scored, as the Hornets began to develop cohesion and a balanced attack. It took all of three minutes for the team to go up 2-0 against Williams. Alex H-D struck first from a short corner that took the hosts by surprise. Cam Maldonado quickly followed with a fine strike. Alex H-D then wove his magic through virtually half of the Williams’ team before being taken down and awarded a penalty kick, which he converted. Spencer McCleery also hit the back of the net from a penalty kick to complete the scoring, with Liam Kohler providing two assists. With such a stingy defense and plenty of attacking potential, the Hornets should see plenty of growth and success this fall.
 
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