THE HOME OF WEST HAVEN SPORTS

Westies defeat Law
Kelly and Cole lead way in 11-6 win 
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 15, 2013) – The West Haven boys' lacrosse team scored early and often to defeat Jonathan Law Thursday evening at Ken Strong Stadium. Jumping out to a 6-2 lead on Matt Kelly's goal, West Haven defeated Law, 11-6. 
West Haven led throughout, holding a 3-1 advantage after one quarter and 6-2 at the half. Rody Cueva gave the Westies an 8-2 lead in the third quarter as West Haven rolled to the victory. 
Kelly led the way for the Westies with 3 goals, while Justin Tuschhoff had 2 goals and 1 assist. Hunter Cole added 4 assists in the win. 
West Haven also received one goal apiece from Jaeson Puleo, Matt Ordazzo, Alex Blake, Geordann Daguplo and John Christensen, while Tuschhoff also had an assist. 
Ryan Pickering made 12 saves in the win.

Westies fall to Spartans
Amity pounds WH, 17-1
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 13, 2013) – The Amity boys' lacrosse team scored early and often in defeating West Haven 17-1 Monday evening at Ken Strong Stadium. The Spartans scored 9 goals in the first quarter, added 4 more in the second and took a 13-1 lead to the half. 
Amity held a 4-0 advantage in the second half as the game was already decided. 
Ajay King led Amity with 6 goals, while Jake Milner scored 3 goals and added 5 assists. The Spartans held a 30-10 shot advantage in the game. 
Duane Gary scored the lone goal for West Haven with Dan Mitchell picking up an assist. Ryan Pickering made 8 saves in the loss for West Haven

Westies post Victory
WH defeats Cross/Hyde/Career
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 6, 2013) – The West Haven boys' lacrosse team defeated Cross/Hyde/Career, 17-11, Monday evening at Ken Strong Stadium.
The Westies had offensive production from various spots on the field as 9 different players were in the scoring column. 
While the offense played well, West Haven's defense was equally impressive, containing Max Peloth, who had scored 6 times in an earlier meeting against the Westies. Peloth did not record a goal in the loss. 
"The defense was great," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "Max Peloth had six goals against us in the first game. Kevin McDaniel held him scoreless. 
"Even when we had bad moments, when we had three penalties at the same time, the team came together. Joe Ayala, Quinton Nivens and Jaeson Puleo went in on defense and we were able to kill a 6-on-3 man advantage."
Jaeson Puleo led all scorers as he had another fine outing. Puleo had 9 points in the game as he scored 5 times and added 4 assists. 
"It was a huge game," Reed said. "Jaeson made one of the most amazing plays I have seen. Cross had dropped into a zone and Jaeson slowly faked a pass twice and sold everyone that he was actually going to pass the ball, but had slowly edged his way up so that he actually had an angle. Once he got above the goal line, he turned and fired it past the goalie. I don't think there was a person at Ken Strong that knew what he was going to do other than Jaeson."
Justin Tuschhoff also had a solid game with 3 goals and 2 assists, while Aaron Haley had 2 goals and 3 assists and Matt Kelly scored 3 goals. Dan Mitchell also addded a pair of goals in the win. 
"Matt Kelly did a great job of getting open in the middle and finishing on assists from Tuschhoff and Puleo," Reed said. "Dan Mitchell, a senior defensive midfielder, was able to find the back of the net twice.
The highlight of the game was a goal by Ivan Seenarine, who, in his first varsity game, first varsity shift, scored a goal. The team and the crowd went nuts." 
John Christensen and Ivan Seenarine each scored once and Dan Schapira and Geordann Daguplo each had two asists.

Red Devils defeat Westies
Daguplo scores twice in loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 27, 2013) – The West Haven boys’ lacrosse team fell to Stratford Saturday afternoon, 16-5, in Stratford. 
Geordann Daguplo scored twice, at 5 minutes, 41 seconds of the first quarter and 4:20 of the second quarter, and Aaron Haley scored with 29 seconds left in the half, but Stratford led 6-3 at the break. 
The Red Devils opened things up in the second half, scoring the next six goals. Dan Schapira scored at 3:00 of the fourth quarter and Hunter Cole scored with 55 seconds remaining in the contest. 

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West Haven's Ryan Pickering (1) looks to make a save with the help of his defense against Stratford, April 27, 2013. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 

Ray Mayberry moves up the field (top photo) and looks to get around a Stratford defender (bottom photo) in a game in Stratford, April 27, 2013. Photos courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 

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Hunter Cole (13) looks to make a play against Stratford, April 27, 2013. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 

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Aaron Haley (20) celebrates his second quarter goal with Justin Tuschhoff (15), Saturday, April 27, 2013. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.  

Hornets sting Westies
Quick start leads Branford past WH, 18-6
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 25, 2013) – The West Haven boys’ lacrosse team was looking for a quick start Thursday evening against Branford. The game did feature a quick start, but it was not by the Westies.
Branford scored 7 times in the first quarter, added 10 more in the second and fell to the Hornets 18-6 at West Haven. With the loss, West Haven dropped to 2-6 on the year.
The Westies could not contain Jim May, Justin Blood or a Chase Swift as May scored 5 times and Blood and Swift each scored 3. May also added 5 assists and Blood and Swift each had a pair of helpers.
The Westies scored 3 times in each of the third and fourth quarters, but it was not enough in the loss. Geordann Daguplo led the way with 3 goals, while Ray Mayberry, Hunter Cole and Jaeson Puleo each scored once. Duane Gary Justin Tuschhoff and Puleo each had an assist. 
Branford held a 28-15 shot advantage in the game. Jim Bruneau made 4 saves and Ryan Pickering stopped 3 shots for West Haven. 

Knights trounce Westies
Slow start key to 18-3 loss for Westies
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 22, 2013) – When the West Haven boys' lacrosse team traveled across town to play rival Notre Dame, the team was well aware it needed a quick start in the game. That start never took place. 
Trailing 7-0 after one quarter and 10-0 at the half, West Haven never recovered and fell to the Green Knights 18-3. 
While the Westies played better in the second half, it was not enough. West Haven got as close as 16-3 in the third quarter, but never got closer. 
Mike Quinn led the Notre Dame offense with 4 goals, Tyler DeLaurentis and Preston Page each scored 3 goals, while Shawndell Evans and Dylan McGuinness each scored twice. 
The Westies scored three times in the third quarter. Geordann Daguplo scored twice and Justin Tuschhoff added 1 goal. 
Notre Dame held a 32-8 shot advantage in the game. Jimmy Bruneau made 14 saves in the loss.

Gaels trounce Westies
WH falls 16-2
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 19, 2013) – The West Haven boys' lacrosse team was looking for a few breaks Friday night. Unfortunately for the Westies, Shelton was not in a giving mood. 
Scoring 8 times in the second quarter, the Gaels defeated the Westies 16-2 as the Westies fell to 2-4. 
West Haven trailed 3-1 after one quarter before the Gaels broke the contest open in the second quarter to take an 11-2 lead to the half. The Westies were unable to score in the second half as Shelton led 15-2 after three quarters. 
"We came out and played a good first quarter," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "We were outscored 8-1 in the second."
Jaeson Puleo and Geordann Daguplo continued to lead the offense as each scored once. Puleo assisted on Daguplo's goal and Dan Schapira also picked up an assist in the loss.

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Ryan Pickering made 11 saves, but they were not enough in a loss to Berlin, April 16, 2013. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 
Berlin outlasts Westies
4 goals in 4th costly in WH loss

BOYS LACROSSE 2013

Berlin outlasts Westies
Four goals in 4th costly in WH loss

By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 16, 2013) – The West Haven boys’ lacrosse team dropped a tough decision toBerlin Tuesday night in West Haven. With the game even at 6 entering the fourth quarter, Berlin scored 4 times and defeated the Westies, 10-8.
“This was an excellent, close game,” West Haven coach Patrick Reed said after his team fell to 2-3. “It was tied at six going into the fourth. They were an excellent defensive team and they really shut down our offense.
“Most of our goals came on fast breaks during unsettled situations. Most of the game our midfielders were able to use their speed to run past them but we have a very short bench and by the end of the game, we were out of steam.”
Geordann Daguplo, Jaeson Puleo, Austin Kozak and Justin Tuschhoff each scored twice in the loss. Daguplo and Kozak also added an assist each in the contest. 

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Austin Kozak scored twice against Berlin, but it was not enough in the loss. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 
“This one hurt,” Reed said. “Austin Kozak played very well. Mike Bibens was great on defense at bailing out teammates when they got into a jam.”
Ryan Pickering made 11 saves in the loss for West Haven.

Westies defeat Foran
Avenge earlier loss with 10-6 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 11, 2013) - What a difference a week makes. That had to be the thought of West Haven boys' lacrosse coach Patrick Reed Thursday evening. 
After opening the year with a loss to the Lions, West Haven turned the tables Thursday evening with a 10-6 victory at Ken Strong Stadium. 
"It was a complete team effort," Reed said after his team improved to 2-2. "The guys played smart and stayed out of the penalty box. It was a close back and forth first half. We were up 4-3 and used a 4-goal third period to put it away. 
"Our close defense was outstanding, holding the Foran attack to one goal and two assists."
Geordann Daguplo, Jaeson Puleo, Duane Gary and Dan Schapira each scored twice for the Westies. John Christiensen added a goal and Justin Tuschhoff also had a goal and an assist. Puleo, Schapira and Aaron Haley each had an assist in the win. 
"I am so proud of how these guys played tonight," Reed said. "They worked hard and it paid off for them. Rody Cueva did a great job at the faceoff X.
"One of the unsung heroes was Austin Kozak. He has been struggling to find the net but he had a bunch of big ground balls and is so fast that when he heads down field, he drew several big penalties that helped us extend our lead in the third."
Billy Barrett played well in goal for the Westies as he made 7 saves. West Haven held a 30-13 shot advantage in the game.  
Will Vitelli led Foran with a pair of goals.

Making Strides
Westies fall to Hamden in close contest
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 8, 2013) - The West Haven boys' lacrosse team entered Monday evening's contest against Hamden having lost 12 straight to the Green Dragons since 2005 and not coming within 10 goals of the victors in any of the contests. 
Out to reverse the trend, the Westies put up a better fight. That fight was not enough as Hamden narrowly defeated West Haven 8-4 at Ken Strong Stadium. 
"We had some great opportunities but did not capitalize when we needed to," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "The team really took this loss hard, but they started to see that they can play with teams that people think are better than them.
"I told them before the game that since 2005, we were 0-12 versus Hamden. We were outscored 173-37 and haven't had a game decided by less than 10 goals since 2005. These guys really responded."
Hamden took an early 3-1 lead in the game, but West Haven evened the score with 2 goals in the second quarter. Trailing 3-2, Dan Schapira set up Geordann Daguplo on the back side of the crease to even the game at 3. 
The Westies trailed 4-3 at halftime and killed off penalties for 3 minutes, 30 seconds in the third quarter. A clearing attempt by the Westies was taken away by Eli Bonadies and Bonadies scored for a 5-3 lead. 
Hamden added another goal in the third quarter and two goals in the final 1:14 to ice the contest. 
"Dan Schapira played great on attack and Jaeson Puleo had another multi-point game," Reed said. "Billy Barrett was great in goal. The starting defense of Mike Bibens, Ray Mayberry and Kevin McDaniel was huge. We made a lot of key stops. Duane Gary played a ton of minutes. He is a great defensive middie and one of the fastest guys around."
Jaeson Puleo scored twice for the Westies, while Daguplo and Aaron Haley each scored once. Schapira and Austin Kozak each had one assist. 
Nick Tafuto and Angelo DiMonaco each scored twice, while Billy Fitzmaurice and Fran Bonadies each had two assists.

In the Win Column
Westies defeat Cross for first win of year
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 5, 2013) – After falling to Foran to start the season, the West Haven boys’ lacrosse team was eagerly waiting to get back on the field. That anticipation paid off as the Westies scored 7 times in the second half and defeated Wilbur Cross 11-8 Friday evening.
With the win, West Haven improved to 1-1 on the young season.
The game was tight from the start, before the Westies pulled away in the second half. After West Haven led 3-2 after one quarter, Cross evened the game at 4 at halftime.
West Haven started to pull away in the third when they held a 3-1 advantage. West Haven outscored Cross 7-4 in the second half of the victory.
"We started really slow," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "A lot of guys were not making good choices shooting. Their goalie, Gabe Stiles, had 22 saves. 
"Jaeson Puleo was hurt in the Foran game and was able to put away the four despite a lower leg issue. Austin Kozak has great speed and was able to get a few good open looks. The defense is playing really well. Ray Mayberry has been great and even though he is a freshman, Ryan Pickering played great in net."
Jaeson Puleo led the West Haven offense with 4 goals. Geordann Daguplo and Austin Kozak each scored twice, while Aaron Haley, Dan Schapira and Justin Tuschhoff each scored once.

Slow Start
Westies fal to Foran in season opener
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 3, 2013) - The West Haven boys’ lacrosse team was well aware it would face a tough team in the season opener. Despite being a first-year team, Foran had an excellent feeder system and an experienced coach in Brian Adkins. 
When all was said and done, the Lions defeated the Westies 14-8 at Foran High Wednesday afternoon in the season opener for both teams. 
The Lions jumped out to a quick lead and forced the Westies to chase from the start. Foran led 3-1 after one quarter, 8-3 at the half and 14-6 after three quarters of play. 
Justin Tuschhoff and Jaeson Puleo each led the West Haven offense with 3 goals apiece. Matt Kelly also scored for the Westies and Puleo added 2 assists. 
Foran was led by Zach White with 3 goals and an assist and Will Vitelli with 3 goals and 2 assists. Drew Perani, David McLenithan and Jonathan DePascale each scored twice for the Lions. 
Josh Teller made 13 saves for the Lions in the win. 

Ready to Go
Westies optimistic about 2013 season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
As each year approaches, there are positives to build on and other aspects to work on. The West Haven boys’ lacrosse team will be living proof of this in 2013.
Coach Patrick Reed can already see strengths of the team, which include team speed. Reed also knows the 2013 team needs to be a steady one.
“I have really liked our speed and resiliency,” Reed said. “We need to improve on our consistency and our shooting.”
The Westies will need to replace some scoring as well from last season. Gone are formidable scorers Antonio Dunn and Jamie Brown.
For the Westies to be successful, they will need to add scoring to the list for a successful campaign. Senior captain Mike Bibens, who came over from Notre Dame a year ago and played defense for the Westies in 2012, will lead the way.
“He leads by example,” Reed said of Bibens. “He works hard. He is just a great kid.”
Reed also has a pair of players he will rely heavily on if the Westies are to be successful in 2013. Juniors Jaeson Puleo and Ray Mayberry play different positions, but are equally impressive and important. 

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Junior Ray Mayberry (r.) looks to lead the Westies to the postseason in 2013. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 
Puleo will be expected to find the back of the net from his attack position, while Mayberry will be counted on to protect the West Haven goal on defense.
“Despite playing defense, Ray is one of the most exciting players to watch,” Reed said. “He is the most tenacious defenseman that we have had in a long time in West Haven. He is not the most physically imposing, but he has tremendous speed and his motor never quits.”
Sophomore Justin Tuschhoff and junior Aaron Haley are also expected to have an impact on the team’s performance as each will play midfield.
“Justin was a solid player as a freshman and worked very hard all year on getting bigger and developing his skills,” Reed said. “I will be looking for him to carry a lot of the load this year.”
With a goal of playing in the state tournament and seeing changes in the league, Reed and his team know hard work will be the key. The team also knows the schedule will not make for an easy road to the postseason.
“The key is doing the little things right,” Reed said. “Our junior class is very strong. If we can win more ground balls than our opponents and take smart shots, we can be very dangerous this year.
“It is going to be an interesting year. Fairfield Prep is always one of the best teams in the state and Cheshire is usually right there with them. But, the big news in the SCC this year is the addition of Foran and Law, the first new teams in over ten years. Foran is led by former West Haven coach Brian Adkins and will not look like a first year program thanks to their youth program. Law is going to have a tougher road but should get a few wins in their first year.”
West Haven opens the season Wednesday, April 3 at Foran at 5 p.m.

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