Westies fall to Amity in Opener
Hughes leads Spartans to 12-3 win over WH
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 5, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team knew it would be in for a battle in the season-opener against Amity. Colin Hughes proved to be more than the Westies could handle.
Scoring four times and adding five assists, Hughes led Amity to a 12-3 victory over the Westies at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven Thursday evening.
Kevin Moriarty (in goal) and the Westies fell to Amity, April 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
With Hughes leading the way for the Spartans, West Haven had to battle back from the start as the Westies trailed 2-0 after one quarter and 4-0 at the half. While West Haven scored in the third quarter, Amity still held an 8-1 advantage.
Nick Massaro led West Haven with one goal and one assist, while Niko Kyle and Kevin Moriarty each added a goal. Moriarty also made 26 saves in goal for the Westies.
Steven Moran (28) against Amity, April 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"It was a rough night for us offensively," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "We really struggled to win individual match ups and that hurt.
This year, we have a lot of new faces on offense, and it’s going to take a little time to get them accustomed. We definitely miss having Joe Consorte from last year. Having a great shooter at midfield really opened things up for us last year. Defensively, it’s getting better. Matt Dowd was great for us playing LSM (long stick mid), being on man up, man down and taking face offs. The man of the day was Kevin Moriarty. He had 26 saves and scored a goal."
Kevin Moriarty scores against Amity, April 5, 2016. Video courtesy of West Haven boys lacrosse.
Dane Walsh made nine saves for Amity, and Luke Smith added two goals and an assist for the Spartans.
In the Win Column
Westies top Cross to improve to 1-1
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 6, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team was looking to rebound from a thorough defeat against Amity in its season opener. Consider the job done.
Controlling the game from the start, West Haven topped Cross 9-2 Friday evening at Ken Strong Stadium to improve to 1-1 on the year.
Nick Massaro (42) and the Westies topped Wilbur Cross, April 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Nick Massaro led the way with three goals and two assists, while Connor Fowler scored twice.
"Nick Massaro had a great game and Mort (Kevin Moriarty) is just amazing," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "But, overall, we found a lot of areas we need to work on. We took a lot of penalties and we need to clean that up. We have a very tough game against Foran and we need to be better."
Connor Fowler (32) and the Westies topped Wilbur Cross, April 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Massaro scored the first three West Haven goals of the game, before Jordan Wetmore got on the board. Logan Cole scored West Haven's fifth goal, before Niko Kyle assisted on a goal by Fowler. Kyle then tallied, and Justin Rivera and Fowler rounded out West Haven's scoring.
Westies top Foran in OT
Ed Leavitt scores game-winner
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 9, 2018) - Ed Leavitt scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the West Haven boys lacrosse team past Foran 10-9 Monday afternoon at Ken Strong Stadium. With the win, West Haven improved to 2-1 on the year.
Nick Massaro led the Westies with three goals and an assist, Matt Dowd had two goals and two assists, while Niko Kyle scored twice, and Logan Cole and Leavitt each finished with a goal and an assist. Kevin Moriarty had 24 saves for the Westies.
Ed Leavitt (4) scores the game-winning goal against Foran, April 9, 2018. Video courtesy West Haven boys lacrosse.
"It was a total team effort," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "As a coach, I feel guilty singling out one kid because EVERYONE contributed to this win. I don't think we could have done it without every kid that stepped on the field. Logan Cole jumped in front of a shot with 30 seconds left in the game to save a definite goal. He is an All-State hockey goalie even after the season ends. Mort (Kevin Moriarty) was just huge.Our defense played amazing and took just two penalties the whole game."
West Haven trailed 3-0 after one quarter as Foran's Will Mauro scored twice, but the Westies rallied with five consecutive goals in the second quarter to take a 5-3 lead before the game went to the half even at five.
Trailing 3-0, Cole got the Westies on the board 3 minutes, 16 seconds into the second, before Massaro scored the next two goals to even the game at three with 5:34 left in the half.
Dowd then gave West Haven a 5-3 advantage when he scored off an assist from Cole 1:14 later, then scored off an assist from Massaro with 1:38 left in the half.
Matt Davidson evened the game for the Lions, scoring twice in the final 1:28 of the second quarter.
In the third, Dowd set up Massaro for a 6-5 lead, before Mauro scored the next two goals for the Lions. Leavitt set up Kyle to even the game at seven, and Dowd set up Kyle to even the game at eight with 7:36 left in the third.
"Our attack came up at huge moments," Reed said. "Nick Massaro to Niko Kyle is a lethal combination. Shea Sheffield is a freshman who has been playing lacrosse for three weeks. He took all 17 faceoffs and won 10 of 17.
"Down 3-0 after 1, we go on a five-goal run on goals by our captains. Logan (Cole) breaks the ice, Nick Massaro chips two in, and then Matt Dowd pumps two home to give us our first lead of the day. Of course Ed's goal in overtime was huge. He wanted the ball. He called his shot. The kid is a gamer."
Tyler Moscato put the Westies up 9-8 with 4:36 remaining, but Mauro scored his fifth goal of the game to even the contest at nine for the Lions with 1:59 remaining.
Westies top NDFF
Win improves record to 3-1
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 12, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team picked up its third win of the year with an 8-2 victory over Notre Dame-Fairfield. The road win over the Lancers improved West Haven's record to 3-1 on the season.
West Haven was strong defensively in the contest, allowing only a first quarter goal and another in the third quarter.
Offensively, West Haven was led by Nick Massaro with three goals, and Niko Kyle with a goal and an assist. Jordan Wetmore, Tyler Moscato, Connor Fowler and Matt Dowd all scored one goal apiece.
Kevin Moriarty was solid in goal for West Haven with 10 saves. Brad Mazzone had both Notre Dame goals.
West Haven jumped out to a 4-1 lead after one quarter, and scored twice in the third quarter for a 6-2 advantage. West Haven capped the scoring with two more goals in the final quarter.
Gaels thump Westies
WH falls to 3-2 with 12-3 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 15, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team was looking for its fourth win of the season Saturday afternoon against Shelton. Unfortunately for the Westies, Shelton dominated from start to finish in a 12-3 victory over the Westies.
West Haven could not get going on offense, scoring just twice in the first half and only one more time in the second half. Steven Moran led the West Haven offense with two goals, while Niko Kyle added a goal, and Jordan Wetmore had an assist.
Nick Pagluiso led Shelton with three goals and five assists, while Casey Brennan had two goals and three assists. Kevin Moriarty made 22 saves in the loss for West Haven.
Westies fall to Green Knights
WH drops second in row
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 18, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team dropped its second consecutive contest with a 16-1 loss against rival Notre Dame Wednesday evening. The loss dropped the Westies to 3-3 on the year.
Niko Kyle scored for West Haven just 1 minute, 20 seconds into the contest.
The Green Knights were led by Alex Hird and Zach Hochman with four goals apiece.
Streak Over
WH tops Bristol Central 14-4
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 21, 2018) - After losing a pair of contests, the West Haven boys lacrosse team was looking to right the ship. While it had to wait a little longer to play Bristol Central due to inclement weather, the wait was worth it.
In control from the start, the Westies snapped a two-game skid with a 14-4 victory at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven on Saturday.
Nick Massaro and Niko Kyle led the West Haven offense as Massaro scored four goals and added two assists, while Kyle had three goals and five assists. Tyler Moscato also scored three times in the win.
Trailing 1-0 in the contest, Matt Dowd scored the equalizer 3 minutes, 58 seconds into the game, before Kyle assisted on goals by Moscato and Massaro for a 3-1 lead. With the game even at three, Massaro assisted on Kyle's goal which gave West Haven the lead for good with 1:01 to play in the first quarter.
Kyle scored twice in the final 46 seconds of the half for a 6-3 advantage, before Logan Cole scored 1:42 into the third. Leading 7-4, West Haven put the game away with three goals in the final 3:37 of the third quarter. Moscato scored twice in a span of 1:21 off assists from Kyle, and Massaro gave the Wsties a 10-4 lead in the closing seconds of the quarter.
Nick Camara scored for West Haven in the fourth quarter, and Massaro added a pair of goals.
Kevin Moriarty made nine saves in the win.
Westies roll past Cross
WH improves to 5-3 with 8-2 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 23, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team is back on track. Snapping a two-game losing streak two days earlier, the Westies won their second in a row, defeating Wilbur Cross 8-2 Monday evening at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven. With the win, West Haven improved to 5-3 on the year.
Niko Kyle led the West Haven offense with two goals, while Logan Cole added a goal and an assist in the win. Kevin Moriarty was stellar in goal, finishing with 15 saves.
West Haven jumped out of the gates quickly with three goals in the first 4 minutes, 17 seconds of the game. Nick Massaro, Kyle, off an assist from Cole, and Rich Wadeka had the West Haven goals.
Cole and Kyle then followed with goals, before Dillon Lenihan, Charlie Miller, and Steven Moran rounded out the scoring. Ed Leavitt assisted on the Miller goal.
Trojans stop Westies
WH falls to 5-4 with loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 26, 2018) - After winning two straight games, the West Haven boys lacrosse team was looking to continue the run. That run ended Wednesday evening.
Falling behind early, West Haven never recovered in a 15-6 loss to Lyman Hall at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven. With the loss, West Haven fell to 5-4 on the year.
The Westies jumped on the board first as Nick Massaro scored the first of his three goals off an assist from Logan Cole 1 minute, 24 seconds into the contest. Massaro's goal was West Haven's last lead of the night as the Trojans scored twice before Niko Kyle evened the contest off an assist from Cole with 9:22 left in the opening quarter.
Lyman Hall led 4-2 before Massaro scored with 1:42 left in the quarter. The Trojans put the game away with seven goals in the second quarter. Trailing 9-3, West Haven inched closer on a goal by Kyle off an assist from Rich Wadeka with 2:26 left in the half.
Tyler Moscato assisted on Massaro's goal with 2:38 gone by in the final quarter.
Kevin Moriarty made 24 saves in the loss for the Westies.
Westies fall to Bunnell
Bulldogs post 10-5 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 27, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team was been looking for consistency throughout the season. Through ten games, the Westies have split the schedule.
Looking to separate from the .500 mark, West Haven could not do so and fell 10-5 Friday evening against Bunnell at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven. With the loss, West Haven fell to 5-5 on the year.
Nick Massaro (42) and Tyler Moscato (33) celebrate a goal against Bunnell, April 27, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Nick Massaro led West Haven with four assists, while Niko Kyle and Ed Leavitt each had two goals apiece. Tyler Moscato finished with a goal and an assist in the loss, while Kevin Moriarty finished with 24 saves.
West Haven never led in the contest, trailing 2-1 after one quarter and 3-2 at the half. Bunnell went on a 5-1 run in the third quarter to pull away for good.
Trailing 1-0 in the first quarter, Moscato scored off an assist from Massaro with 9:11 remaining. The Westies trailed 3-1 in the second quarter, before Kyle scored off an assist from Moscato with 58 seconds to go.
Kevin Moriarty makes a save against Bunnell, April 27, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Bunnell extended its lead to 6-2, but Kyle scored off an assist from Massaro with 2:51 left in the third. The Bulldogs scored the next three goals, but West Haven responded with a pair, both by Leavitt off assists from Massaro to get within 9-5 with 4:20 remaining.
BOYS LACROSSE 2018
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Westies top Titans
Massaro, Cole lead WH to 6-5 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 2, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team snapped a mini skid, topping Sheehan 6-5 Wednesday evening at Sheehan High in Wallingford. With the win, West Haven stopped a two-game losing streak and improved to 6-5 on the year.
Nick Massaro and Logan Cole led the way for West Haven as Massaro had two goals and two assists, and Cole added two goals. Niko Kyle also added a pair of assists, while Kevin Moriarty made 33 saves.
In what was a close game throughout, West Haven recorded the difference in the second quarter, outscoring the Titans 2-1. Every other quarter was evenly played on the field and on the scoreboard, but West Haven was able to score the winner in the final quarter.
"Sheehan is a good team," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "They were 7-3 and had just beaten Lyman Hall 8-3. They are a team that beat up on us pretty good 15-6. Before the game, our kids were getting ready and they looked over at the other team and realized that they hadn't really started warming up yet. Our guys came together and said they aren't taking us seriously, and its time to show them that is a mistake.
Like us, Sheehan's top face off guy was hurt. Thankfully, Shea Sheffield stepped up and had an awesome night winning a lot of key possessions. In a 6-5 game, every faceoff and possession matter a ton."
Trailing 1-0, Massaro set up Ed Leavitt with 6:29 left in the first quarter, before Massaro scored 28 seconds later off an assist from Kyle for a 2-1 advantage.
Trailing 3-2 in the second quarter, Kyle set up Massaro for the equalizer with 5:37 to go, before Cole scored off an assist from Rich Wadeka two minutes later for a 4-3 advantage.
"Offensively, Logan Cole stepped up huge," Reed said. "He had two goals, one even strength and one on man up, but he also played LSM (long stick mid) and had a ton of defensive clears for us.
"Halfway through the game, we switched things up at attack and put Tyler Moscato in there. That would prove to be huge. (Kevin Moriarty) Mort heaved the ball 50 yards and Tyler was able to get the ground ball and out run his defender and score the game winner."
With the game even at four in the fourth quarter, Massaro set up Cole with the go-ahead goal with 4:47 to go. Moriarty then found Moscato who raced up the field and scored with 2:58 left for a 6-4 advantage.
"What can we say about Mort,?" Reed said. "He allowed five goals and had 33 saves. He had the assist on the game winning goal. He gets better every day and the team really rallies around him.
"We played Sheehan in a preseason scrimmage and they scored a bunch on us. Our defense has really come together, even with Matt Dowd and Dan Kelly out. Nick Camara and Steve Moran have been the anchors, but new guys Trevor Basta, Jonah Basilicato and Nate Smith, who was playing his first varsity time, all came up huge. Honestly the best part of this season for me so far is how these guys have come together as teammates off the field. They are so positive and encouraging to each other. Seeing the brotherhood they are developing is my favorite part."
Windsor stuns Westies
Two goals in last minute drops WH
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 5, 2018) - Sensing a thrilling comeback victory, the Westies just could not hold on. Scoring twice in the final 36 seconds of regulation, Windsor rallied to stun West Haven Saturday afternoon in Windsor.
West Haven (6-6) took a 9-8 lead with 2:15 remaining in regulation on a goal by Rich Wadeka off an assist from Tyler Moscato, but Windsor evened the game with 36 seconds left and won with 6.1 seconds to go.
"It was a really tough loss," West Haven coach Patrick Reed said. "Nick Camara took a shot to the chest. All of us were obviously distracted. But, Nick Massaro really stepped up and helped bring us back. Then, Rich Wadeka gave us a lead with two minutes left on a great play. He outran two players and beat their goalie."
Rich Wadeka scores against Windsor, May 5, 2018. Video courtesy of West Haven boys lacrosse.
In the offensive battle, Niko Kyle led West Haven with three goals and an assist, Massaro finished with two goals and three assists, and Wadeka had a goal and two assists. Kevin Moriarty finished with 26 saves in the loss.
The Westies scored the first two goals of the game, taking a 1-0 lead on Kyle's goal off an assist from Massaro 1:34 in. Ed Leavitt scored off an assist from Wadeka for a 2-0 advantage, before Windsor evened the contest.
Matt Dowd put West Haven on top with 6:28 left in the opening quarter off an assist from Leavitt, before Windsor scored the next four goals for a 6-3 lead.
The Westies got within 6-5 in the final 5:47 of the first half when Massaro set up Moscato for a goal , and Massaro found Kyle with 2:14 left in the half.
The Westies trailed 7-5, but Kyle scored off an assist from Logan Cole and Massaro evened the contest with 3:59 left in the third.
Wadeka set up Massaro for the equalizer with 4:48 to go, before Wadelka put the Westies on top with 2:15 remaining.
Kyle propels Westies past Hamden
Three goals, four assists lead to 10-9 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 8, 2018) - After a hard fought, one goal loss against Windsor on Saturday, the Westies needed just two days to flip the script. Behind three goals and four assists from Niko Kyle, West Haven defeated Hamden 10-9 at Ken Strong Stadium Monday evening.
Nick Massaro also had a big day as he scored four times and added an assist, while Matt Dowd and Tyler Moscato each added a goal and an assist. Kevin Moriarty was again stellar in goal, finishing with 30 saves, including 15 in the fourth quarter.
West Haven topped Hamden, May 7, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Trailing 1-0 in the opening quarter, West Haven scored the next three goals for a 3-1 lead after one quarter of play. Massaro got the equalizer when he scored off an assist from Moscato with 5 minutes, 40 seconds left in the quarter, before Kyle set up Moscato 38 seconds later, and Massaro scored off an assist from Nick Camara with less than a second to go.
Hamden bounced back to score the first two goals of the second quarter, before Kyle scored off an assist from Massaro with 4;33 remaining for a 4-3 advantage. The Green Dragons rallied to score the next two goals and West Haven trailed 5-4 at the half.
Dowd set the tone for the rest of the game as he evened the contest at five just 1:25 into the third. After Hamden took a 6-5 lead 1:24 later, Massaro scored the equalizer off an assist from Kyle with 7:44 remaining.
West Haven topped Hamden, May 7, 2018. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Just 51 seconds later, Massaro scored again off an assist from Dowd, and Logan Cole gave West Haven an 8-6 lead with 2:29 left in the third. Kyle's unassisted tally with 1:16 left in the quarter sent the Westies to the fourth ahead 9-6.
Hamden opened the fourth with two goals in 34 seconds, the latter with 6:22 left in the game to cut the deficit to 9-8.
Any momentum Hamden had disappeared 41 seconds later when Kyle scored off an assist from Moriarty.
Moriarty sealed the deal with 15 saves in the final quarter.
Hornets sting Westies
WH drops second in row
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 21, 2018) - The West Haven boys lacrosse team is looking to get hot before the start of the postseason. The Westies were unable to start a run Monday evening.
Trailing early, West Haven never recovered in a 14-9 road loss to Branford at Branford High. With the loss, West Haven fell to 7-8 on the year.
Niko Kyle and Logan Cole led West Haven with two goals apiece, while Kevin Moriarty made 21 saves in the loss.
West Haven trailed 4-1 after one quarter of play, and despite scoring three times in the second quarter, went to the half trailing 7-4 at the half. Branford led 11-7 heading into the fourth quarter and West Haven could not get the equalizer.
Matt Dowd, Nick Massaro, Tyler Moscato, and Justin Rivera also scored for the Westies.
Rob Lionetti was too much for West Haven to contain as he scored six times for the Hornets. Matt Potter scored three times and added an assist also for Branford.
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