Late goal propels Westies
Berretta scores 4 goals in comeback
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 23, 2014) - The West Haven girls' hockey team saw plenty of emotions come through Thursday evening against Branford/East Haven/North Branford. The Westies trailed early, rallied to take the lead and trailed again.
Junior Marisa Pacapelli saved the day. Pacapelli scored with 43 seconds remaining off assists from freshman Mya Berretta and Carly Crouse to give West Haven a 6-6 tie at the Edward L. Bennett Rink.
The tying goal by Pacapelli was her second of the game to go along with an earlier assist. Pacapelli also looked to be involved in what could have been the potential game-winner in the final seconds as she was part of a two-on-none breakaway with Berretta, but the freshman went in the zone just ahead of the play.
Berretta continued her spectacular rookie season by scoring four more goals and assisting on two more. The four tallies by Berretta increasees her goal total to 37 on the year.
West Haven, which improved to 4-5-1 overall and 2-3-1 in the Southern Connecticut Conference, trailed early as Lexi Harney and Cassidy Murphy put the Westies in a 2-0 hole.
Murphy set up Harney just 1 minute, 29 seconds into the game, before Harney returned the favor with 6:13 left in the opening period.
Berretta helped send the Westies to the break between periods down just one goal when she scored with 1:49 remaining in the period off an assist from Crouse. Berretta's goal started a rush of four straight tallies by West Haven for a 4-2 second period lead.
Mya Berretta scores against Branford/East Haven/North Branford, January 23, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Berretta set up Pacapelli five minutes into the middle period to even the game at 2, before Crouse set up Berretta seven seconds later off the ensuing faceoff for a 3-2 West Haven advantage.
West Haven increased its lead to 4-2 with 4:27 remaining in the second period as Alyssa Woosley set up Berretta for a power play goal.
BEN evened the game with two goals in the final 3:35 of the second period. Harney scored her second of the game to get her team within one goal and Julia Schatz evened the game with 22 seconds left in the period.
BEN continued to score as a string of three staright goals concluded 7:31 into the third period when Tina Paolillo scored for a 5-4 lead.
Pacapelli and Berretta were at it again with 5:51 remaining as Pacapelli set up the freshman to even the game at five.
Just 1:07 later, West Haven trailed again. Paolillo's second of the period put West Haven in a 6-5 hole before Pacapelli's late heroics saved the game for the Westies.
Josy Militrano made 30 saves in the game for the Westies, including 12 in the second period. Crouse finished with three assists in the tie for West Haven.
Josy Militrano makes one of her 30 saves against Branford/East Haven/North Branford, January 23, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Westies hold off SWS
Berretta, Pacapelli and Prisco lead the way in 6-4 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
WEST HAVEN (January 20, 2014) - The West Haven girls’ hockey team got back to its winning ways Monday morning with a 6-4 victory over Stamford/Westhill/Staples at the Edward L. Bennett Rink. With the win, West Haven improved to 4-5 on the year.
Freshman Mya Berretta continued her torrid scoring with four more goals, giving her 33 on the year. Fellow freshman Gabi Prisco also had a nice day offensively with one goal and two assists, Nicole Woosley had three assists and junior Marisa Pacapelli also scored.
West Haven got on the board first and never trailed as the teams alternated goals until the Westies took a 5-3 lead in the second period.
Berretta gave West Haven a 1-0 lead just 3 minutes, 9 seconds into the contest with an unassisted goal, before Meg Fay scored the first of her three goals 4:12 later to even the contest for SWS.
The Westies and Berretta wasted no time taking the lead as the freshman scored 1:08 later for a 2-1 West Haven advantage after one period of play.
Fay evened the game 4:02 into the second period, but just 1:02 later, Pacapelli scored off assists from Prisco and Woosley for a 3-2 West Haven lead. The game continued its back and forth pace when Fay answered 2:28 later to even the game at three.
West Haven took the lead for good with two goals in the final 3:01 of the second period. Prisco was involved in both goals as she set up Berretta for a power play goal with 3:01 left, then scored off assists from Nicole Woosley and Alyssa Woosley with 23 seconds to go in the middle period for a 5-3 advantage.
Fay helped get SWS closer with 3:20 remaining when she assisted on Cassie Miolene’s goal, but Nicole Woosley set up Berretta 28 seconds later for the 6-4 final.
Josy Militrano finished with 25 saves, including 10 in the first period and nine in the third.The Westies return to action Wednesday evening at 4:30 p.m. when they host Branford/East Haven/North Branford.
TSJ beats Westies
5 goals by Berretta not enough in loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 18, 2014) – After failing to hold a lead in the last meeting against Trumbull– St. Joseph, the West Haven girls’ hockey team was looking to avenge its early season loss Saturday evening when the two teams met again in Shelton.
Unfortunately for the Westies, the results were the same. Despite a five-goal performance from freshman Mya Berretta, West Haven fell to TSJ 8-6 in Shelton. With the loss, West Haven fell to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the Southern Connecticut Conference.
Unlike the last contest in which the Westies jumped out to a five-goal lead, they were in comeback mode from the start.
Kelcy Meise gave TSJ a 1-0 lead just 37 seconds in, before Katy Gonski increased the lead to 2-0 with 4:59 left in the opening period.
TSJ did the most damage with 1:02 left in the first period as Lexi Brown twice set up Caroline Prezioso within 21 seconds for a 4-0 lead.
The Westies got some life in the final seconds of the period as Marisa Pacapelli and Berretta set up Gabi Prisco with six seconds remaining in the period. When Berretta, who now has 29 goals on the year, scored just 1:37 into the second period, West Haven was within two goals.
West Haven could not get any closer. Two more goals by Gonski gave TSJ a 6-2 lead with 2:48 left in the middle period, before Berretta scored with 1:13 left to get West Haven within 6-3.
Gonski and Ashley Osterberg took all the momentum away from West Haven with 1:03 left in the middle period when they set up Brown for a 7-3 lead.
Berretta again got West Haven within a pair of goals as she scored an unassisted goal just 4:32 into the third period, then scored off an assist from Pacapelli 42 seconds later.
TSJ would not go away. Gonski again had an answer for TSJ as her fourth goal of the game 1:31 later iced the contest.
Berretta added her fifth goal with 17 seconds remaining off an assist from Prisco to make the final 8-6.
Josy Militrano finished with 30 saves in the loss for West Haven.
Hall/Conard too much for Westies
Berretta scores twice in loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 15, 2014) – The West Haven girls’ hockey team was looking to get over the .500 mark Wednesday evening.
Playing a tough Hall / Conard team, West Haven was unable to do so as Hall / Conard defeated West Haven, 9-2.
Erin O'Meara led Hall / Conard with one goal and three assists, Alyson Alissi had three goals and Olivia Starr scored twice.
Hall took control of the game early with four goals in the first period. Erin O’Meara set up Caitlin O’Meara 3 minutes, 15 seconds into the game, Alissi scored 3:46 later and added another goal 3:32 after the tally. Alissi’s hat trick extended the margin to 5-0 just 8:22 into the middle period.
West Haven finally got on the scoreboard 29 seconds after Alissi’s final goal in the second period when Mya Berretta cut the deficit to 5-1.
Trailing 6-1, Berretta opened the scoring in the third period with the second of her two goals and 24th overall on the year 59 seconds in, but Grace O’Connell, Erin O’Meara and Olivia Starr scored 7:30 apart.
Josy Militrano made 25 saves in the loss for West Haven.
Mya Time
Freshman scores six goals in 6-5 win over Hand
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 11, 2014) – West Haven freshman Mya Berretta has left an immediate impression just six games into the season. With 16 goals five games in, Berretta was leaving a mark.
Berretta continued her impressive start, scoring all six goals, as West Haven defeated Hand 6-5 at the Edward L. Bennett Rink Saturday evening.
Berretta has 22 goals thus far, has scored in all six games, and has scored multiples goals in five of the six contests.
With the game even at one after two periods, Berretta took over in the third period with five goals. The freshman gave West Haven a 2-1 lead 53 seconds into the third period and increased the margin 3:47 later off an assist from Nicole Woosley.
Mya Berretta scores one of her six goals against Hand, January 11, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Mackenzie Hilton got Hand within 3-2, before Berretta scored twice in 14 seconds for a 5-2 lead. Gabi Prisco assisted on the first tally, while Marisa Pacapelli had the assist on the second goal for a 5-2 lead.
Hilton scored once again to get within 5-3, but Berretta’s unassisted goal 1:02 later with 4:26 to go had West Haven on top 6-3.
Emily Sobolewski and Kat Allen scored in the final 4:01, but it was not enough for Hand.
Berretta gave West Haven a 1-0 lead in the opening period with 2:11 remaining, before Morgan Connors evened the game for Hand in the middle period.
Josy Militrano led West Haven in goal with 25 saves.
Westies fall to Hamden
Thompson scores 3 goals to lead Green Dragons
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 10, 2014) – The West Haven girls’ hockey team was looking for a big road win. Instead the Westies ran into Tiler Thompson. Thompson scored four times and added two assists as Hamden defeated the Westies 9-3 Thursday evening in Hamden.
The Green Dragons controlled the game from the start, scoring three times in the first period. Thompson had a part in two of the goals as she assisted on Samantha Cozzolino’s goal for a 1-0 lead, 2 minutes, 44 seconds in, before scoring herself 6:07 into the game. Sam Talmadge gave Hamden a 3-0 lead 55 seconds later.
Talmadge also played a big part in the win as she scored for a 4-0 lead with 7:45 left in the second period and assisted on Thompson’s goal 3:23 later. Cozzolino scored off an assist from Talmadge with 1:26 remaining in the middle period for a 6-0 lead.
The Westies finally got on the board with 22 seconds remaining in the middle period.
Gabi Prisco’s unassisted goal put the Westies within five goals and Carly Crouse added another 1:10 into the third period, but Cozzolino scored and Thompson added two more within 1:59 for a 9-2 West Haven lead.
Mya Berretta closed the scoring in the game with an unassisted goal with 3:48 left.
Josy Militrano made 26 saves in the loss for West Haven.
Foiled Again
Westies fall to ANHC
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 4, 2014) – One week after losing in crushing fashion to Trumbull, the West Haven girls’ hockey team was hoping to get back on the winning track. The start may have been a good one, but the end result was the same.
Allowing five unanswered goals, the Westies fell to Amity / North Haven / Cheshire 5-3 Saturday afternoon at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven. With the loss,West Haven fell to 2-2 on the year.
The game started in fine fashion for the Westies as the team jumped out to a 2-0 lead just three minutes into the game.
Mya Berretta, who scored twice in the game and has been on a scoring tear since the season started, gave West Haven a 1-0 lead with an unassisted goal just 1 minute, 24 seconds into the contest.
Just 1:11 later, the Westies led 2-0. Nicole Woosley scored from in front off assists from freshman Gabi Prisco and junior Marisa Pacapelli.
The two goals would be the highlight of the opening stanza as Amity scored the final three goals of the period. Jenna Casman set up Perri Sosensky 2:16 later to cut the deficit in half and Meaghan Francis tied the game 1:58 later.
Amity took the lead for good with less than three minutes remaining in the period. Abbie Lange beat West Haven goaltender Josy Militrano with 2:21 left in the period, putting West Haven in a 3-2 hole.
Amity took control of the game in the final two minutes of the second period as Emily Gotowola scored off an assist from Francis with 1:20 remaining for a 4-2 lead.
West Haven could not solve Hannah Cremo in goal after the first period goals and fell behind 5-2 in the third period when Lange scored her second of the game with 9:03 remaining.
The Westies finally got on the scoreboard once again as Alyssa Woosley and Carly Crouse assisted on a goal by Berretta with 1:29 remaining for the 5-3 final.Militrano made 32 saves in goal for West Haven as the Westies were outshot 37-24 in the contest.
Heartbreaker
WH blows four-goal lead in 7-6 loss to Trumbull/St. Joseph
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 27, 2013) – The West Haven girls’ hockey team was brilliant for all but 31 seconds of its game Friday afternoon against Trumbull / St.Joseph. Unfortunately for the Westies, those 31 seconds turned the game around.
Leading by four goals and seemingly in control, the Westies allowed two goals in the final 20 seconds of the second period, then allowed another in the first 11 seconds of the third period as TSJ rallied for a 7-6 overtime victory at the Edward L. Bennett Rink.
The loss overshadowed the performance of freshman star Mya Berretta, who continued her torrid scoring with five more goals. Berretta has scored 13 goals in the team’s first three games.
West Haven (2-1) jumped out to a 4-1 first period lead as Berretta scored three times. The freshman gave West Haven a 1-0 lead 7 minutes, 1 second into the game when she scored from an angle in front off a pass from fellow freshman Gabi Prisco.
After Molly Chapman tied the game for TSJ 35 seconds later, Berretta scored an unassisted goal off a backhander with 5:54 left in the opening period.
Nicole Woosley gave the Westies a 3-1 lead when she poked in a loose puck off assists from Dani DeAngelis and Nina Casalaina with 28 seconds to go in the period, before a great individual effort by Berretta with five seconds left in the period increased the lead to 4-1.
Nicole Woosley (above) gives West Haven a 3-1 lead over Trumbull / St. Joseph while ...
Mya Berretta scores her fourth goal of the game to give West Haven a 5-1 lead in the second period, December 27, 2013. Photos courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Berretta continued her scoring in the second period as she scored her fourth goal of the game with 7:21 left in the middle period, seconds after ringing the crossbar.
TSJ then turned the game around in the final 20 seconds of the period. Caroline Prezioso cut the deficit to 5-2 and Kelly Gonski added another goal with seven seconds remaining to make it a 5-3 contest after two periods.
The deeper TSJ team evened the game with a pair of goals in the first 2:26 of the third period. Lexi Brown scored 11 seconds in and Gonski added the equalizer 2:15 later.
Berretta gave West Haven its last lead of the game with 7:52 to go as Gonski evened the contest with 1:35 remaining.
Mya Berretta gives West Haven a 6-5 lead over Trumbull / St. Joseph, December 27, 2013. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
With all the momentum, TSJ won the contest in overtime on a goal by Rebecca Buck.
TSJ had 44 shots, with Josy Militrano making 37 saves in the loss.The Westies return to action Saturday, January 4 at 3:30 p.m. against Amity/North Haven/Cheshire at 3:30 p.m. at the Edward L. Bennett Rink.
Rally Time
Berretta, Prisco and Pacapelli lead WH to comeback win over Stamford/Westhill/Staples
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 20, 2013) – West Haven coach Carol Franco is well aware of her team’s inexperience. Knowing the team will learn as the season progresses, Franco has to like how the season has begun for the Westies.
After opening the season with a 7-0 win over Lauralton Hall, the Westies have had to wait to get on the ice. That wait paid off.
Traveling to play Stamford Friday evening, the Westies rallied from a 4-0 deficit and defeated Stamford/Westhill/Staples 8-6 on the road at Terry Connors Rink to improve to 2-0. Mya Berretta led the Westies with six goals and an assist, while Gabi Prisco and Marisa Pacapelli each scored once in the win.
The Westies were forced to play from behind early as the combination of Meg Fay and Cassie Miolene led SWS to an early 4-0 lead.
Miolene set up Fay just 1 minute, 15 seconds into the contest then scored her own goal 3:01 later for a 2-0 lead. Miolene's second goal of the game 6:07 in increased the lead to three goals and Fay made it a 4-0 game when she scored off an assist from Miolene 3:04 later.
The Westies did not back down. Mya Berretta scored off an assist from Carly Crouse just 13 seconds later to give the Westies a spark and Prisco cut the deficit to 4-2 with 1:54 remaining in the opening period.
Prisco's goal was the start of four goals by both teams in the final 1:54 of the period.
Fay extended the SWS lead to 5-2 with 57 seconds to go, before West Haven got goals seven seconds apart from Berretta to cut the margin to 5-4. Crouse and Prisco set up Berretta's first of two in the sequence with 34 seconds remaining and Berretta scored unassisted on the latter goal.
Miolene needed just 55 secoonds in the second period to extend the SWS lead to 6-4 but that would be the last goal of the game for the home team as the defense of the Westies, including Alyssa Woosley and Crouse, shut down the home team the rest of the way.
With 2:57 to go in the middle period, Berretta scored her fourth goal of the game to get West Haven within 6-5 after two periods of play.
The third period was all West Haven. Berretta set up Marisa Pacapelli with the equalizer 6:35 in, then scored the eventual winner with 4:48 left. Berretta's power play goal with 1:23 left gave the Westies a two-goal margin.
West Haven goaltender Josy Militrano made 10 saves in the period and finished the game with 22 saves on 28 shots. Casey Bang made 24 saves in the loss for SWS.
Quick Start
Five goals in first key to 7-0 win over Lauralton Hall in opener
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 11, 2013) - With plenty of new faces in the lineup, the West Haven girls’ hockey team was well aware of the start it needed. Coach Carol Franco had to like what she saw in the season opener.
Scoring five times in the first period, including two goals apiece by freshman Mya Berretta and senior Carly Crouse, the Westies defeated Lauralton Hall 7-0 Wednesday afternoon in the season opener for both teams at the Edward L. Bennett Rink.
Berretta and Crouse each finished the game with two goals and one assist, while Marisa Pacapelli had one goal and one assist and Nicole Woosley had two assists.
West Haven (1-0) wasted no time setting the tone of the game in the opening period, needing just 3 minutes, 5 seconds to take a 1-0 lead when Berretta scored off an assist from Crouse.
The Westies then scored in bunches. Crouse scored twice within 40 seconds, giving the Westies a 3-0 lead 10:17 into the game, with Berretta assisting on the first goal and Pacapelli on the second.
Pacapelli and Berretta then teamed up to give West Haven a 5-0 lead with two goals in 14 seconds. Alyssa Woosley set up Pacapelli with 49 seconds to go in the opening period and Berretta scored an unassisted goal with 35 seconds left.
The dominance in the opening period showed on both ends of the ice. West Haven goaltender Josy Militrano was not forced to make any saves as the Crusaders were held without a shot on goal in the opening period.
After a scoreless second period, West Haven put the game away with a pair of goals in the final 15 minutes.
Nicole Woosley set up Morgan Smith’s first tally of the year at 5:30 of the third period, then set up freshman Gabi Prisco 2:59 later for the 7-0 final.Militrano faced five shots in the second period and four in the third to finish with nine saves in the victory. Michaela O'Donnell faced 34 shots and made 27 saves in the loss for Lauralton Hall.
Youth is In
Young team to lead Westies in 2013-2014
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
West Haven girls’ hockey coach Carol Franco is well aware of the task at hand this year. Losing players from virtually every position to graduation, Franco and the Westies will have plenty of new faces on the ice this season.
Gone are the likes of Julia Consorte, Alyssa Maddern, Brittany Gould, Molly Long, Sam Young, Carly Brereton and Jordan Brereton. With plenty of spots up for grabs, the team may go through a learning process.
“To be successful, we will need improvement with less experienced players,” Franco said.
Leading the way in 2013-2014 for the Westies will be senior captain Alyssa Woosley and senior assistant captains Nicole Woosley and Josy Militrano. Alyssa Woosley and Militrano will help anchor the back as Woosley will play defense and Militrano is the returning and lone goaltender.
Freshmen will also have a big part on the team as both Mya Berretta and Gabi Prisco will step in immediately and comprise the first line along with sophomore Marisa Pacapelli.
“We have two strong freshmen in Mya and Gabi, Franco said. “Our senior goaltender, Josy Militrano, has shown much improvement.”Carly Crouse also returns for the Westies. A solid player, Crouse will help anchor the defense.
celebrates with Mya Berretta (5) in a 6-6 tie with Branford/East Haven/North Branford, January 23, 2014. Photos courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
THE HOME OF WEST HAVEN SPORTS
WestieBlue
Marisa Pacapelli (15) scores with 43 seconds remaining then...
GIRLS HOCKEY 2013-2014
Marisa Pacapelli. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Congratulations to Mya Berretta on being selected to the 2013 -2014 Southern Connecticut Conference First team.
Mya Berretta scored 60 goals as a freshman for West Haven in 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Magic Mya
Freshman scores 60 goals in spectacular season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
Mya Berretta is your everyday teenager. She goes to school, hangs out with her friends, does her homework and plays high school sports.
That every day, regular thing was until recently.
Berretta is becoming more well known as the West Haven freshman is making a name for herself at the young age of 14.
In just 18 games this season, Berretta scored a staggering 60 goals and finished with 68 points. To put that in perspective, the freshman averaged 3.78 goals per game and scored multiple goals in 15 of the team’s 18 contests as a young West Haven team finished 6-11-1, falling in the semifinals of the SCC Division II tournament.
Freshman Mya Berretta barely stood still as she scored 60 goals this season. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
According to coach Carol Franco, the 60 goals are a state record for a freshman in girls’ hockey.
“She always wanted to be on the ice,” Franco said of Berretta. “She is in fabulous shape. She played with her Polar Bears team and with us. She is on the ice every day. When she wasn’t on the ice, she was always looking to get back on.
“The thing about her was her stick handling. She has soft hands. She really has control of the puck. She practices all the time at home.”
West Haven had only one game where Berretta was not involved in the scoring, a 9-1 loss to East Catholic/Glastonbury/South Windsor. During the course of the 18 games, Berretta scored 6 goals in three contests, 5 goals in another three contests and at least four goals in three more.
It is no secret the Westies relied heavily on the freshman. Five times during the course of the season, Berretta accounted for all of the team’s goals in a game.
Playing on a line with fellow freshman Gabi Prisco and junior Marisa Pacapelli, Berretta scored 60 of the team’s 83 goals or 72% of the team’s offense.
Prisco (9 goals) and Pacapelli (8 goals) combined for 17 more goals as only an astonishing 6 goals did not come from Berretta and her line mates over the course of the season.
Mya Berretta (l.) and Marisa Pacapelli (r.) celebrate a goal during the 2014 season. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“We all do different things,” Pacapelli said of her line with Berretta and Prisco. “Gabi has the speed, Mya has the hands and I am aggressive. It is all those things together.”
Berretta has been on skates since she was 2 years old and playing hockey since she was 5. Along with Prisco and Pacapelli, Berretta came up through West Haven’s Learn to Skate program and attributes her skating success to former West Haven and BostonUniversity star Joe Pereira.
As she moved through the leagues, Berretta found herself playing on and against all boys teams since she was on the Mite A travel team.
“Without a doubt,” Berretta said of her skating ability helped by playing against boys. “Playing against the boys was always very tough. I got knocked around and got hit in the one year I played where there was checking. I think that really helped me.”
Gene Pacapelli is an assistant coach on the boys team and helps out on the girls side as well. The coach raves about what he sees from Berretta.
“She handles the puck very well,” Gene Pacapelli said. “She had a great year and scored a lot of goals. She was on the ice all the time. I have not seen anyone put the puck in the net more than she does.”
Berretta and her linemates were well aware of the inexperience on this year's team as the Westies graduated several key pieces from last year's team. Berretta was also aware of the pressure to score, which made her goal total even more amazing.
"I felt like if I didn't score enough, we could lose," Berretta said. "I would have a part in the loss and I didn't want that."
Berretta also plays for the U14 Connecticut Polat Bears, which is ranked 12th in the country. She attributes to playing for the Polar Bears as one of the big reasons she had so much success this season at West Haven.
"I think the speed of the game was the biggest thing," Berretta said. "With the Polar Bears, it is a lot faster at Tier 1 hockey. I felt like playing in high school was easier."
Berretta impressed away from both teams as well. Going to an all day tryout in New Hampshire in November, Berretta was selected to play for USA Hockey's Team New England in an upcoming select festival.
"I am so excited I made it," Berretta said. "I worked really hard. My goal was to make that team."
With all the success, Berretta is not resting. The freshman already has a goal of 75 goals for her sophomore season.
“She is incredible,” Marisa Pacapelli said of Berretta. “I go into the year and ten goals is my expectation. She has 60 this year. That’s six times as much. It’s crazy.”
Despite a solid hockey season, Berretta had a tough decision to make recently. Calling it a "tough decison", Mya had to decide between lacrosse and softball. In the end, she decided she will play lacrosse in the spring for West Haven.
With all the recognition she is receiving, one would think Berretta would soak it all in and take a break. To know Berretta, one knows that is definitely not the case.
Berretta is already thinking about how she can get better for next season.
"I really appreciate all the recognition," the freshman said. "It shows all my hard work is paying off."
Berretta is no longer a secret for the West Haven team. One gets the feeling this is just the beginning for this talented freshman.
See a feature on Mya from WTNH SportzEdge here
Gabi Prisco scores against Notre Dame - Fairfield, February 22, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Heartbreak
NDFF uses double overtime to end season for Westies
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 22, 2014) – It all came down to one game for the West Haven girls’ hockey team. Playing on Senior Night against Notre Dame-Fairfield, the Westies knew a victory would propel the team to the Southern Connecticut Conference Division II finals.
For 45 minutes, the game could not be decided. Two overtime periods later and theWest Haven season was over.
Led by a goal by Emily Rowland 4 minutes, 12 seconds into the second overtime, the Lancers defeated West Haven 4-3 at the Edward L. Bennett Rink Saturday night and advanced to the league finals. The crushing loss ends West Haven’s season at 6-11-1.
Mya Berretta capped her remarkable season with two more goals as the freshman finishes the year with an astonishing 60 goals. Fellow freshman Gabi Prisco also scored for the Westies.
Mya Berretta (r.) celebrates her 60th goal of the year with Gabi Prisco (r.) against Notre Dame - Fairfield, February 22, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Prisco forced the overtime when her rising shot from the slot found the top right corner with left 3:48 in regulation.
When overtime began, it was West Haven which was all over the Lancers. The first line of Berretta, Prisco and junior Marisa Pacapelli played most of the first overtime and all had quality chances in front.
Prisco was denied by Notre Dame goaltender Brooke Bonetti with a brilliant pad save two minutes in, before Pacapelli’s angle shot was stopped with a glove save.
Berretta had numerous opportunities in the first overtime as West Haven held a 9-2 shot advantage, but each time it was Bonetti who came up big. Berretta had two wraparound attempts turned back and a laser from the slot was also turned away.
Needing a second overtime, West Haven looked as if it had the winner several times, but Bonetti came up big each time.
West Haven’s best opportunity came with 5 minutes to go in the second overtime as Berretta got through the Notre Dame defense and used a backhander into what looked like an open net. But, a diving attempt by Bonetti denied Berretta with a beautiful stick save to keep the game even at three.
Notre Dame got the winner a short time later when Ally D’Auria set up Rowland for the winner.
Berretta opened the scoring in the game as Berretta used a deke to beat Bonetti just 1:39 in. Sierra Chavez then scored twice for the Lancers 3:24 apart for a 2-1 lead, before Berretta evened the contest with 1:04 remaining in the opening period.
Berretta’s second goal of the game and 60th of the season was a thing of beauty as she flicked a shot from the side of the net which bounced off the Notre Dame defense into the goal.
Bailey Brown put the Lancers on top 3-2 with a goal with 6:16 left in the middle period to set up the thrilling end to the game.Militrano finished with 24 saves in the loss, while Bonetti had 39 saves for Notre Dame.
Mya Berretta scores against Notre Dame - Fairfield, February 22, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Westies silence Lancers
Militrano makes 24 saves in shutout for WH
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 19, 2014) – The West Haven girls’ hockey team traveled to MilfordWednesday afternoon and defeated the Notre Dame - Fairfield Lancers, 3-0.
Josy Militrano was the key in the game for the Westies as she turned aside all 24 shots on goal to post her second shutout of the season.
Freshman Mya Berretta continued her torrid scoring pace as she scored all 3 West Haven goals. The hat trick gives Berretta 58 goals on the year and 66 points.
West Haven, 6-10-1 in Division II and 4-7-1 in the SCC, scored the only goal it would need in the opening period.
Freshman Gabi Prisco set up Berretta at the 8 minute, 18 second mark for a 1-0 lead. The Westies added two more goals in the second period.Marisa Pacapelli set up Berretta for a power play goal with 6:07 left in the middle period and Berretta scored an unassisted goal 2:53 later for a 3-0 advantage.
Mya Berretta (l., pointing) scores her 50th goal of the year and finishes with 6 goals in an 8-7 loss to Wilton/Norwalk, February 17, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Not Safe Enough
Westies fall to Wilton/Norwalk, 8-7
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 17, 2014) – The West Haven girls’ hockey team had its share of leads against Wilton – Norwalk Monday afternoon. Unfortunately for the Westies, none of those leads were safe enough.
Failing to hold on to a 3-goal lead, West Haven watched as Wilton rallied for an 8-7 victory at the South Norwalk Arena. The loss drops West Haven to 5-10-1 on the year.
Despite the loss, freshman Mya Berretta continues her record-setting year. Berretta scored 6 more goals, increasing her total to 55 goals on the year with 63 points.
Mya Berretta proudly shows the puck of her 50th goal, February 17, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Fellow freshman, Gabi Prisco, also continues to impress as she assisted on 5 goals and junior Marisa Pacapelli scored once and added an assist in the loss.
The Westies started the game with the first two goals and led 3-1 after one period of play. Berretta opened the scoring just 1 minute, 9 seconds into the game with an unassisted tally, before Prisco set up Pacapelli 2:51 later for a 2-0 lead.
Gabi Prisco (r.) had 5 assists against Wilton/Norwalk, February 17, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After Nicole Lue cut the Wilton deficit in half, Prisco set up Berretta 1:35 later for a 3-1 lead after one period. When Berretta scored 3:44 into the middle period, West Havenled 4-1.
Wilton then woke up. Just 19 seconds later, Lue scored her second of the game, before Emmie Arrix scored 1:33 later. When Arrix scored her second of the game with 56 seconds left in the second period and Liz Craveri added another 34 seconds later,West Haven trailed 5-4 after two periods.
Alyssa Wooslry and Prisco helped even the game at 5 when they picked up assists on Berretta’s fourth goal 3:10 into the third period, but Lue’s hat trick 10 seconds later put Wilton back in front, 6-5.
Prisco set up Berretta 40 seconds later to even the game, but Lue’s fourth of the game and another by Peri Bucht within 2:16 put Wilton ahead to stay, 8-6, with 7:36 left.
Mya Berretta (l.) and Marisa Pacapelli (r.) celebrate a West Haven goal, February 17, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Berretta’s sixth goal with 5:02 to go got West Haven within a goal, but the Westies could not get the equalizer.
West Haven held a 40-30 shot advantage in the loss. Wilton’s Brooke Jansson made 32 saves, while Josy Militrano made 22 saves in the loss.
West Haven falls to Branford/EH/NB
Berretta and Pacapelli offensive stars in 10-4 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 10, 2014) – The West Haven girls' hockey team fell to Branford/East Haven/North Branford Monday evening at the Patsy DilLungo Rink in East Haven. Behind 4 goals and 3 assists from Tina Paolillo, the host team defeated the Westies 10-4.
Paolillo was not the only offensive star for Branford. Erin Sheehan had three assists, Julia Schatz scored twice and Sydney Hogan added 2 assists in the victory.
Mya Berretta scored all 4 goals for West Haven, while Marisa Pacapelli picked up two assists on Berretta's goals.
Branford took an early 4-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. Hogan scored just 1 minute, 9 seconds in and Schatz followed 28 seconds later for a 2-0 lead. Branford then added another two golas in a span of 18 seconds as Alyssa Doran scored 3:25 in and Paolillo made it 4-0 a short time later.
Berretta got the Westies within striking distance when she scored twice in 9 seconds. Just 11 seconds after Paolillo's goal, Berretta cut the deficit to 4-1 off an assist from Pacapelli, before adding her second goal 4:03 into the contest.
Hogan's second of the game gave Branford a 5-2 lead after one period as West Haven was outshot 12-9.
Berretta again got the Westies within striking distance when she scored an unassisted goal 58 seconds into the middle period, but Branford scored the next five goals to put the game away.
The crushing goal came when Paolillo scored her second of the game 9 seconds after Berretta's goal, then recorded the hat trick 42 seconds later for a 7-3 Branford lead.
Schatz scored with 2:59 left in the second and 4:27 into the third for a 9-3 advantage, before Paolillo's fourth of the game 49 seconds later, made it 10-3.
Pacapelli set up the final goal of the game when Berretta scored on the power play with 4:52 remaining.
West Haven had 40 shots in the game, but Branford goaltender Whitney Morris made 36 saves. Josy Militrano made 30 saves in the loss for West Haven.
West Haven pounds Crusaders
Westies cruise to 8-2 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 6, 2014) – The West haven hockey team wasted no time getting on the scoreboard Thursday afternoon against Lauralton Hall. Needing just 9 seconds to start the scoring and 1 minute, 32 seconds to pad the lead, the Westies cruised to an 8-2 victory over the Crusaders at the Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport.
Mya Berretta continued her unbelievable season with five goals to giver her 45 on the year. The freshman also added an assist as West Haven improved to 5-8-1.
Berretta was not the only player who had a big day. Freshman Gabi Prisco scored twice and added two more assists, while junior Marisa Pacapelli had a goal and three assists and Alyssa Woosley finished with three assists.
Marisa Pacapelli (15) and Mya Berretta (5) combined for 10 points as West Haven defeated Lauralton Hall, 8-2, February 6, 2014. File photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Berretta started the scoring for the Westies just 9 seconds into the game off an assist from Pacapelli, before Prisco set up Berretta for a 2-0 lead just 1:23 later.
After Bridget Stackpole got the Crusaders on the scoreboard, West Haven needed just 59 seconds to take a 3-1 lead when Pacapelli and Alyssa Woosley set up Prisco. Berretta capped the first period scoring with a goal off assists from Pacapelli and Prisco 2:03 later.
The Crusaders scored the first goal of the second period when Kerry Ullman beat West Haven goaltender Josy Militrano 2:43 into the middle period to cut the West Haven lead to 4-2.
West Haven never blinked. Woosley set up Berretta's third goal 1:27 later and Prisco made it 6-2 with 6:58 remaining in the period.
West Haven capped the scoring with two goals in the third period. Berretta scored an unassisted goal 3:13 in and Pacapelli ended the scoring off assists from Berretta and Woosley with 3:33 left.
Militrano played well in goal, stopping 26 of 28 shots by the Crusaders.
Westies fall to Simsbury
Simsbury baffles Westies
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 4, 2014) - The West Haven girls’ hockey team knew it was in for a battle Tuesday afternoon when Simsbury visited the Edward L. Bennet Rink.
Scoring five goals in the opening period, Simsbury rolled to a 13-3 victory over the Westies. The loss dropped West Haven's record to 4-8-1.
West Haven had trouble containing the Trojans as 11 different players were in the scoring column for Simsbury. Katy Grigely led the way with three goals and an assist, Hayley Aubin had one goal and four assists, Sutton Wunderle and Jordan Arnold each chipped in two goals and three assists and Anne Deliso had two goals and two assists.
Mya Berretta led West Haven with two goals and an assist. Gabi Prisco added two assists and Marisa Pacapelli also scored for the Westies.
Simsbury needed just 51 seconds to get on the scoreboard on a goal from Aubin and the Trojans never slowed down. Kelsey Goetjen and Deliso scored 2 minutes, 33 seconds apart for a 3-0 lead, before Berretta needed just five seconds to make ir 3-1.
Wunderle and Grigely scored 14 seconds apart in the final two minutes of the first period for a 5-1 lead for the Trojans.
Arnold opened the second period scoring just 1:50 in, before Berretta and Prisco executed perfect passing to set up Pacapelli's tap in goal 1:45 later.
Simsbury capped the period with goals from Wunderle and Goetjen for an 8-2 lead. Goetjen and Arnold scored early in the third for a 10-2 lead before Berretta's second of the game got West Haven within 10-3 just 4:16 into the final period.
Deliso, Julie Bologa and Maggie Grigely capped the scoring for the Trojans.
Josy Militrano made 20 saves in the loss for West Haven. Dani Sullivan finished with 11 saves for Simsbury.
Thumped
WH falls to East Catholic / Glastonbury / South Windsor
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 31, 2014) - The West Haven girls’ hockey team fell to East Catholic /Glastonbury / South Windsor 9-1 Friday evening at Newington Arena.
East Catholic scored the final seven goals of the game to turn a close contest into a route as West Haven fell to 4-7-1.
Mary Kate Thompson helped give East Catholic a 1-0 lead in the first period at the 12 minute, 47 second mark when she fed Leyna DiMarco for a 1-0 lead.
Monica Darby set up Thompson just 1:25 into the second period for a 2-0 lead, but the Westies quickly responded.
Just 1:34 later, freshman Gabi Prisco, who played a stellar contest, scored off assists from Marisa Pacapelli and Carly Crouse to cut the deficit to 2-1.
West Haven never got any closer.
Maggie Hallisey and Tori Hallisey scored 2:05 apart for a 4-1 lead and Monica Darby added another goal with 4:17 remaining in the middle period for a 5-1 lead.
Tori Hallisey set up Thompson’s second of the game 2:48 into the third period and Kaitlyn Sabin followed with two goals in 41 seconds for an 8-1 advantage.
Josy Militrano made 25 saves in the loss for West Haven.
Guilford thumps WH
Cafiero scores twice and adds two assists for Indians
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 28, 2014) – The Guilford hockey team entered Tuesday’s home contest with one thing in mind. That vison was to stop West Haven and star forward Mya Berretta.
The Indians worked that plan to perfection. Allowing just a third period goal to the freshman sensation, Guilford responded with three third period goals and defeated the Westies 5-1.
The win helped improve Guilford’s record to 8-3, while West Haven fell to 4-6-1.
Lexi Cafiero was the star for Guilford as she scored twice and added two assists.
Cafiero helped get things started by assisting on Zoe Bosenberg’s goal with 7 minutes, 28 seconds to go in the opening period.
Guilford increased the lead to 2-0 when Cafiero scored with one minute remaining in the period. After a scoreless second period, the game got interesting early in the third period.
Berretta scored her 38th goal of the year to cut the deficit to 2-1 with 12:35 left in the game, but Guilford had more offense to display.
Alex Petritz and Cafiero assisted on Nicole Raccuia’s goal a short time later and Cafiero helped seal the Guilford win shortly after.
Off an assist from Catherine Lawrence, Cafiero gave Guilford a 4-1 lead with 6:31 to go. Lawrence scored an unassisted goal 1:05 later as Guilford won 5-1.
Edy Moritz picked up the win with 24 saves, while Josy Militrano made 21 saves in the loss for West Haven.
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