Marisa Pacapelli (l.) and Jeana Carrano (r.) were given the Whitie Bensen Scholarship by Kyle Bensen (c.) at the girls hockey banquet, March 2, 2015.
Scoring Machine
8 different players in scoring column as WH defeats Lauralton Hall, 9-3
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 21, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team has been looking for a break out game for quite some time. With a hint of tthat over the last few games, the Westies finally exploded Wednesday evening.
With eight different players in the scoring column, including four goals by sophomore Gabi Prisco, West Haven defeated Lauralton Hall 9-3 at the Edward L. Bennett Rink. The second win over the Crusaders in two days helped the Westies improve to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
Marisa Pacapelli (15) celebrates a goal by Shannon Siclari (8) in the first period against Lauralton Hall, January 21, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Jeana Carrano continued to play well in goal, making 25 saves in the victory.
Jeana Carrano made 25 saves against Lauralton Hall, January 21, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period, only to see Lauralton battle back with a pair before the period ended.
Olivia Quagliani set up Shannon Siclari for her third goal of the year just 47 seconds in and Alycia Sandella scored her first of the year off assists from Morgan Smith and Sarah Grillo 2 minutes, 6 seconds in for a 2-0 advantage.
Alycia Sandella (17) celebrates a goal against Lauralton Hall, January 21, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Crusaders answered with two goals in a span of 1:24 to even the contest as Nikki DeCola scored 5:54 in and Megan Dowling tied the game less than two minutes later.
Prisco then took over, scoring four straight times, with three coming on the power play.
The sophomore scored all three West Haven goals in the second period for a 5-2 lead, then added her fourth in a row 2:32 into the third for a 6-2 advantage.
Prisco gave West Haven a 3-2 lead 3:47 into the second, extended the margin to 4-2 just 2:19 later and put West Haven on top by three goals with one second left in the middle period.
Gabi Prisco (20) scored four times against Lauralton Hall, January 21, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Jillian Perno scored her first goal of the year to give West Haven a 7-2 lead 4:18 into the third and Quagliani followed with her first of the year 59 seconds later for an 8-2 advantage. Senior Marisa Pacapelli closed the West Haven scoring with 3:46 remaining.
West Haven celebrates one of its nine goals against Lauralton Hall, January 21, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Lauralton got within 9-3 on Kerry Ullman's goal with 1:33 remaining, but it was not nearly enough in West Haven's third win of the season.
Kayla Forleo (24) battles in front against Lauralton Hall, January 21, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Westies top Crusaders
Pacapelli and Prisco lead Westies to 6-4 win over Lauralton Hall
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 19, 2015) - Senior Marisa Pacapelli and sophomore Gabi Prisco helped lead the West Haven girls hockey team to a 6-4 victory over Lauralton Hall Monday afternoon at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven. The "road" contest saw the Westies use a big second period to propel them to their second win of the season against six losses.
Marisa Pacapelli scored four times in a win over Lauralton Hall, January 19, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Pacapelli scored four times and added an assist, while Prisco had two goals and an assist, and Olivia Quagliani added a pair of assists in the win.
West Haven goaltender Jeana Carrano came up big, finishing with 26 saves, as the Westies were outshot 30-24 in the game.
Trailing 1-0, West Haven needed just 5:05 to even the contest as Quagliani set up Pacapelli for the equalizer with 2:01 remaining in the opening period.
The Westies wasted no time setting the tone in the second period, scoring three times to take a 4-2 lead. Prisco opened the scoring in the middle period, scoring off an assist from Pacapelli just 3:36 in for a 2-1 lead.
Morgan Smith (19) skates up the ice in a win over Lauralton Hall, January 19, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After Nikki DeCola scored her second of the game to tie the contest at two with 6:43 remaining in the period, Morgan Smith set up Pacapelli 1:16 later to give the Westies the lead for good. Prisco's unassisted goal with 1:31 left in the period had West Haven on top, 4-2.
Pacapelli was at it again 20 seconds into the period off an assist from Prisco for a 5-2 advantage, but Kristin Dowling and Tori Stapleton brought the Crusaders within 5-4 with 6:43 remaining.
The Westies iced the contest just 34 seconds later when Quagliani and Shannon Siclari set up Pacapelli's fourth of the game.
West Haven celebrates its win over Lauralton Hall, January 19, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Ice Cold
Westies fall to SWS, 7-1, in outside contest
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 16, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team took its travels to Westport Friday evening to take on Stamford/Westhill/Staples outside at the Longshore Rink. While it was cold outdoors, the Westies could not heat up the scoreboard, falling 7-1. Gabi Prisco scored the lone West Haven goal off an assist from Marisa Pacapelli with nine seconds remaining in the opening period to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Goals by Casey Watson and Juliana Ferraro 40 seconds apart had put West Haven in a 2-0 hole early in the first period.
SWS put the game away with five goals in the second period, three coming from Meg Fay. Leading 4-1, Fay scored twice to increase the lead to 6-1 with 3:38 remaining in the middle period, and Cassie Miolene scored with three seconds remaining to make the it a 7-1 game.
SWS had a 28-12 shot advantage with West Haven's Jeana Carrano finishing with 21 saves.
West Haven fell to 1-6 with the loss.
Wilton/Norwalk blanks Westies
West Haven falls to 1-5 with 4-0 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 9, 2015) - Fresh off its first win of the season, the West Haven girls hockey team was looking to build off the momentum of an overtime win. While goaltender Jeana Carrano was spectacular, the Westies fell to Wilton/Norwalk 4-0 at the Edward L. Bennett Rink Friday evening.
Carrano was the star of the game for the Westies as she kept her team within striking distance throughout the contest. Carrano faced 39 shots and turned aside 35 in the loss.
Jeana Carrano, seen here earlier in the season, made 35 saves in a loss to Wilton/Norwalk, January 9, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
While Carrano was outstanding, West Haven, playing without points leader Gabi Prisco, struggled to get going on offense. The Westies managed only 16 shots on goal and Wilton/Norwalk goaltender Brooke Jonsson turned aside all 16 shots she faced.
Wilton/Norwalk got enough offense to support Jonsson's effort, scoring once in each of the first and third periods and twice in the second period.
Elizabeth Craven scored the first of her two goals at the 4 minute, 59 second mark of the opening period, then added her second tally 3:32 into the second for a 2-0 lead.
Shannon McEveney scored 3:08 later for a 3-0 lead and Izzy Thelen added an insurance goal at the 6:55 mark of the third period for the 4-0 final.
Working Overtime
Pacapelli, Prisco lead Westies to first win of season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 6, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team had to work a little longer for its first win of the season. Turns out, it was worth the wait.
Behind four goals and an assist from senior Marisa Pacapelli, including the winner in overtime, and two goals and an assist from sophomore Gabi Prisco, West Haven rallied to defeat Notre Dame-Fairfield, 7-6, in overtime of an exhibition at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport.
Marisa Pacapelli, seen here earlier in the season, scored the game-winner in overtime as West Haven defeated Notre Dame, January 6, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies never led until the overtime period, but made the first lead of the game count. Prisco set up Pacapelli at the 1 minute, 40 second mark of the extra period for the winner.
The goal capped a brilliant comeback by the Westies as they trailed 3-1, 5-3 and finally 6-5 with less than four minutes remaining in regulation. Prisco forced the overtime with an unassisted goal with 3:27 remaining.
"It was a pretty good feeling to get a first win," Prisco said. "We are a very new team with very few experienced girls. Scoring the tying goal was pretty exciting for not just me, but for the rest of the team. It gave us a chance to continue playing in the game and finally win. Marisa and I are highly counted on to make big plays at times like in this game. We would do anything to help the team win a game along with our teammates.
"Even though some of the players have little experience, everyone always works 100 percent and puts in as much as they can to contribute. We won as a team and I'm so happy to be playing with such a great group of girls."
Emily Rowland and Ally D'Aurio gave the Lancers a 2-0 lead with goals 2:51 apart just 5:40 into the contest. Pacapelli set up freshman Shannon Siclari to get with 2-1 just 1:30 later, but Rowland's second of the game 57 seconds later restored the two-goal lead for the Lancers.
Shannon Siclari, seen here earlier in the season, scored the first West Haven goal as West Haven defeated Notre Dame, January 6, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Pacapelli made sure the Westies went to the intermission in a good position as she scored two unassisted goals in a span of 32 seconds, the latter with just 58 seconds remaining in the period, to force a 3-3 tie after one period.
Rowland, who scored four goals in the game for the Lancers, scored twice in 28 seconds of the second period to give Notre Dame a 5-3 lead just 3:19 into the period. Pacapelli scored her third unassisted goal of the game to get West Haven within 5-4 with 5:22 left in the middle period and Prisco scored the equalizer 43 seconds later off assists from Carlie Tammaro and Janiene Tuinman.
The Lancers were in good position to win the contest when Rowland set up D'Aurio for a 6-5 lead with 5:17 left in the third period, but Prisco and Pacapelli used late heroics to send West Haven to the thrilling win.
Gabi Prisco, seen here earlier in the season, scored the tying goal late in the third period as West Haven defeated Notre Dame, January 6, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Jeana Carrano made 23 saves in the win for the Westies.
Hand too much for Westies
Eight unanswered goals propel Tigers
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 31, 2014) - The West Haven girls hockey team was hoping to ring in the new year with a win. While things looked good at the start, Hand-Madison spoiled the party.
Scoring eight unanswered goals, including five in the first period, Hand defeated the Westies 10-2 Wednesday afternoon at the Northford Ice Pavilion With the loss, West Haven fell to 0-4 on the year.
West Haven started the game quickly as Gabi Prisco scored an unassisted goal just 34 seconds into the game. Unfortunately, for West Haven, that lead lasted just 45 seconds as the Tigers scored twice in 11 seconds to take a lead they never relinquished.
Gabi Prisco, seen here in a contest earlier in the season, scored West Haven's first goal in a loss to Hand, December 31, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Hand added three goals in the final 7:35 of the opening period for a 5-1 lead, then scored three times in a span of 2:52 in the second period to extend the advantage to 8-1.
Marisa Pacapelli finally broke the string of goals by Hand with a West Haven goal 4:06 into the third period to cut the deficit to 8-2, but Hand scored 29 seconds later, and added a late power play goal for the 10-2 final.
Jeana Carrano made 20 saves in the loss as West Haven was outshot 30-13 in the contest.
Jeana Carrano, seen here in a contest earlier in the season, made 20 saves in a loss to Hand, December 31, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Lancers defeat Westies
WH drops to 0-3 with loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 13, 2014) - The West Haven girls hockey team is still searching for its first victory of the season. Watching as Notre Dame-Fairfield scored the first six goals of the game, West Haven fell to 0-3 with a 7-3 loss at the Edward L. Bennett Rink Saturday afternoon.
Marisa Pacapelli (15) celebrates a goal by Gabi Prisco (20) in a loss against Notre Dame-Fairfield, December 13, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Lancers, behind the play of Ally D'Aurio, jumped out to the quick lead as D'Aurio scored three of the team's first six goals.
Emily Rowland gave Notre Dame a 1-0 lead just 5 minutes,14 seconds into the contest and D'Aurio increased the margin to 2-0 with an unassisted goal 3:18 later. D'Aurio's second of the period, off an assist from Jessica LeMere with five seconds remaining in the period, put West Haven in a 3-0 hole.
Delaney O'Keefe, D'Aurio and LeMere scored in the first 9:35 of the second period to increase the margin to 6-0.
West Haven finally got going when Gabi Prisco and Shannon Siclari combined for two goals in 55 seconds. Siclari set up Prisco with 1:21 left in the middle period and Prisco, along with Carlie Tammaro, returned the favor to Siclari with 26 seconds left in the middle period.
Marisa Pacapelli takes one of West Haven's 26 shots on goal in a loss to Notre Dame-Fairfield, December 13, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
O'Keefe set up Bayley McKeon to give Notre Dame a 7-2 lead with 4:26 remaining in the game, before West Haven closed the scoring with 1:56 left in the contest on Prisco's second tally of the day.
West Haven's Jeana Carrano makes one of her 21 saves in a loss to Notre Dame-Fairfield, December 13, 2014. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Jeana Carrano made 21 saves as Notre Dame held a 28-26 shot advantage. Becky Stefanatos made 23 saves for the Lancers in the win.
Slow start dooms Westies
Quick goals lead to 11-6 loss to Branford/East Haven
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 10, 2014) - With the reality scoring may be an issue this season, the West Haven girls hockey team struggled in a season-opening loss to Hamden four days ago. Looking for a different result Wednesday in East Haven, the Westies found that scoring touch, but fell to Branford/East Haven Co-Op, 11-6, at Patsy DiLungo Rink.
The Westies, who fell to 0-2 on the year, trailed from the start and were never able to catch up. Branford scored twice in the game's first minute and led 4-0 just 3 minutes, 22 seconds into the contest.
Lexi Harney and Sydney Hogan did most of the damage in the game for Branford/East Haven as the pair combined for eight goals and three assists, with Hogan scoring five times.
The pair opened the scoring just 19 seconds into the contest as Hogan set up Harney, before Hogan scored 19 seconds later off an assist from Erin Sheehan. Marissa Guglielmi increased the lead to 3-0, before Harney set up Hogan for a 4-0 lead 3:22 in.
The Westies finally got on the scoreboard 2:18 later when Kayla Forleo found the back of the net against Branford/East Haven goaltender Julia SanGiovanni. Marissa Pacapelli followed with the first of her three goals and the first of West Haven's two power play goals 1:01 later to get the Westies within 4-2.
The Westies got no closer as Branford/East Haven scored the next three goals, including a tally by Hogan off an assist from Harney with 58 seconds left in the opening period. Hogan and Sheehan scored 30 seconds apart to give Branford/East Haven a 7-2 lead just 2:38 into the middle period.
Gabi Prisco, who finished with two goals and an assist in the game for West Haven, set up Pacapelli to cut the deficit to 7-3 just 38 seconds later, but two straight goals by Hogan gave Branford/East Haven a commanding 9-3 advantage.
Prisco scored a power play goal with 2:48 remaining in the middle period, but Branford/East Haven matched that tally with a goal by Harney 11 seconds later.
The Westies scored the first two goals of the third period, Pacapelli's third of the game off an assist from Olivia Quagliani 2:04 in and Prisco's second with 5:37 left, but never got closer.
Branford/East Haven rounded out the scoring with 4:13 remaining when Kaitlynn White scored off assists from Emmy Norton and Julia Schatz.
Jeana Carrano faced 47 shots in goal for West Haven, turning aside 36 in the loss. SanGiovanni made 14 saves in the win for Branford/East Haven.
Westies fall to Hamden in Opener
Season begins with 9-0 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 6, 2014) - West Haven girls hockey coach Carol Franco knew her team might go through some growing pains this season. Franco's worries became true in the opener of the 2014-2015 season Saturday in Hamden.
Paced by nine different goal scorers, Hamden easily defeated the Westies 9-0 in the season opener for both teams.
The Green Dragons (1-0) controlled the game from the start, scoring six goals in the opening period and finishing the contest with a 45-13 shot advantage. West Haven goaltender Jeana Carrano turned aside 36 shots in the loss.
Marisa Pacapelli (15), Gabi Prisco (20) and the Westies could not get going in a season-opening loss to Hamden, Saturday, December 7, 2014. File photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Hamden set the tone of the contest early, needing just 31 seconds to get on the board when Sam Talmage set up Sam Cozzanino for a 1-0 lead. Just 39 seconds later, Hamden increased the lead to a pair of goals on Colleen Straub's tally, before Taylor Klesyk made it 3-0 just 4:35 in off assists from Talmage and Madison Baker.
Angela Violano and Maggie Gould set up Tanner Berton 8:10 in and Angela Green increased the lead to 5-0 just 2:11 later. When Olivia Santini scored 34 seconds later, Hamden went to the intermission with a 6-0 lead.
As plentiful as the scoring opportunities were for Hamden, they were as scarce for the Westies. West Haven (0-1) had only 13 shots in the game, all turned aside for the shutout by Hamden's Nicole Baker.
The Westies did not capitalize on two power play opportunities, one in the first period and the other in the third period.
Talmage and Kelsey Carienari scored in the second period for the Green Dragons and Mackenzie Sargolino added the final goal in the third period.
One Step at a Time
Inexperienced Westies prepare for 2014-2015 season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(December 7, 2014) - The West Haven girls hockey team was one goal away from qualifying for the postseason last year. Only an overtime loss to Notre Dame-Fairfield in the season finale prevented that.
Much has changed since that last game, including the departure of leading scorer Mya Berretta, who left for prep school. Berretta's departure breaks apart a potent line which also included sophomore Gabi Prisco and senior co-captain Marisa Pacapelli.
With many other faces gone by way of graduation, head coach Carol Franco will need to move players around. Included in that group is Prisco, who will move from forward to defense to help protect first-year goaltender Jeana Carrano.
Senior captain Marisa Pacapelli will lead the offense in 2014-2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Prisco (9 goals, 16 assists) will help form the first defensive pairing along with senior captain Nina Casalaina. The second defensive pairing will be Carly Tammaro and Morgan Smith.
"Gabi has the ability to skate the puck and be very offensive," Franco said. "Nina has been working hard during the off-season and has become a steady player.
"Jeana Carrano stepped up to take over the goalie position this season. She has been working with a goalie coach and showing great improvement."
Sophomore Gabi Prisco (20) will be a key player, both offensively and defensively, for the Westies in 2014-2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
If the Westies are to be in position to have a chance at the postseason again, they will need to find a way to replace the offense of Berretta, who finished last season with a school-record 60 goals, 8 assists and 68 points.
Pacapelli (8 goals, 14 assists) will be the key as the senior anchors the top line along with Shannon Siclari and Olivia Quagliani . The second line will see Kayla Forleo lead a line which consists of Alycia Sandella and Janiene Tuinman.
"Marisa is aggressive and has good puck control," Franco said. "Freshman Shannon Siclari is a good skater with speed and Olivia is strong on the boards."
Franco knows leadership and working together will be the key aspects of this year's team.
"We have gotten strong leadership from our captains (Pacapelli and Casalaina)," Franco said. "Both captains exhibit strong leadership skills. Marisa captained the soccer team and is a peer advocate. Nina is president of DECA.
"Our goals are gaining experience and improving game by game. We need to owrk hard and keep a positive attitude."
West Haven will play at Branford in East Haven, Wednesday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m., then play its home opener Saturday, December 13 against Notre Dame-Fairfield at 12:15 p.m.
Alycia Sandella scores against Branford, February 7, 2015. Double click to view full screen.
All-State players - Gabi Prisco '15
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GIRLS HOCKEY 2014-2015
Congratulations to West Haven's Gabi Prisco (20) as she was named a Second Team All-SCC selection and a First Team All-State selection from her defense position on the girls hockey team.
Season ends as Westies fall to Branford
Branford/EH/NB too much in SCC tournament loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 23, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team saw its season come to an end Monday evening in East Haven. Behind four goals from Lexi Harney, Branford/East Haven/North Branford defeated the Westies, 7-3, in the semifinals of the Southern Connecticut Conference Division II semifinals at the DiLungo Rink.
Marisa Pacapelli, seen here earlier in the season, had two assists in a loss to Branford/EH/NB, February 23, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Sophomore Gabi Prisco finished her fine season with two goals, giving her a team-leading 19 on the year. Senior Marisa Pacapelli finished with two assists, while Shannon Siclari added a goal and an assist in the loss.
Jeana Carrano, seen here earlier in the season, made 37 saves in a loss to Branford/EH/NB, February 23, 2015. . Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
As has been the case all season, the Westies were peppered with plenty of shots, giving up 44 in the loss. Goaltender Jeana Carrano made 37 saves, ending her first year in goal saving 84% of the shots she faced in the contest.
Gabi Prisco, seen here earlier in the season, added two more goals in a loss to Branford/EH/NB, February 23, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Branford jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back in the semifinal win. Harney gave Branford a 1-0 lead 4 minutes, 23 seconds in before Prisco evened the contest with an unassisted goal for the Westies. Prisco's goal would be as close as the Westies would get as Branford scored the next four goals for a 5-1 lead.
Morgan Smith. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Harney scored twice in the final 3:25 of the opening period, including the latter with 42 seconds remaining in the first period, for a 3-1 lead, and added another 2:04 into the second for a 4-1 advantage.
After Branford's Julia Schatz scored, Prisco's second goal of the game, off assists from Pacapelli and Siclari, got West Haven within 5-2 4:41 into the third. Branford again had an answer.
Branford's Melissa Guglielmi added a third period goal for a 6-2 lead, before Siclari scored off assists from Nina Casalaina and Pacapelli with 3:39 left in the game to cut the deficit to 6-3.
Any thoughts of a comeback ended 42 seconds later when Emmy Norton scored for Branford for a 7-3 win.
Hailey Manware made nine saves in the win for Branford/East Haven/North Branford, who advances to play Hand-Madison in the SCC Division II championship.
Westies fall to West Hartford
Thumped in 7-1 loss
By MATT CILBRITH
Westie Blue
(February 18, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team struggled to generate offense, even with a few power play chances as the Westies fell to West Hartford 7-1 Wednesday night at the Edward L. Bennett Rink. The game was also the final regular season home game for the seniors of West Haven.
“It’s been so great to play here,” said senior captain Marisa Pacapelli about her time as a Westie. “I’ve played with so many different players since freshman year, many of them playing Division I hockey now. It’s been great to play, especially since I never played hockey before my freshman year.”
West Haven started the game with a couple of good chances, but could not convert, allowing the Warchiefs to strike first. Just over three minutes into the opening period, Lindsay Penn danced around a couple West Haven defenders and snuck a shot by Jeana Carrano, who had 20 saves on the night, to make it 1-0 West Hartford.
The Warcheifs caught another break about a minute after that when Erin O’Meara fired a shot from the point which Carrano did not see until the last second when it slipped by her giving West Hartford a 2-0 lead.
West Hartford made it 3-0 before the end of the first period when Alessandra Mitrano won an offensive zone faceoff back to Katilin Schulken, who passed to an open Carley Gorman who put it in the back of the net.
West Haven was not out of it yet, especially when just a minute and a half into the second period the Blue Devils would get consecutive power plays. O’Meara was called for a hooking penalty with 13:23 remaining in the second, but the Blue Devils could not convert.
But, 12 seconds after O’Meara’s penalty expired Bergen Battison was called for a cross check, giving West Haven another power play. Despite getting a bunch of shots to the net, the Blue Devils could not convert again.
“We just have to keep shooting,” said West Haven head coach Carol Franco. “We have worked on getting pucks to the net and chasing after the rebounds, I have been drumming that home to them.”
After two more second period goals from West Hartford, the Blue Devils got on the board, doing just what their coach taught them. Pacapelli rifled a shot towards the Warchiefs net minder Shannon Racz which she kicked away, but Nina Casalaina was right there to bury the rebound making it 5-1 West Hartford. Shannon Sicalri was appointed the secondary assist on the goal as well.
While it was too little, too late for the Westies, the Warchiefs put two more past Carrano before the game ended 7-1.
“West Hartford really pushed us hard this game,” said Franco. “This was a good warmup for our SCC Division II playoff game coming up.”
The Blue Devils will play in a SCC playoff game against Branford/East Haven/ North Branford co-op on Monday, February 23. If the Westies win that match up, they would go on to play in the championship.
Westies fall to Stamford/Westhill/Staples
6-1 loss drops WH to 3-15 on season
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 17, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team suffered its ninth straight loss Tuesday afternoon.
Unable to contain Meg Fey and Cassie Miolene, the Westies fell 6-1 at the Terry Connors Rink in Stamford and dropped to 3-15 on the season.
Fey scored three times for SWS, while Miolene had two goals and an assist in the win against the Westies.
Miolene set up Rachel Stanford 5 minutes, 3 seconds into the game and 1:27 later, Fey scored her first goal for a 2-0 lead.
SWS increased the lead to 3-0 just 25 seconds into the second period when Miolene scored off assists from Stanford and Kyra DalBello. Fey made it 4-0 4:21 later and Miolene's second of the game just 14 seconds later gave SWS a 5-0 advantage. When Fey scored 1:30 later, SWS was well on its way to the win.
Senior Marisa Pacapelli scored the lone West Haven goal with 2:11 remaining in the middle period to get the Westies within 6-1, but they never got closer.
Jeana Carrano made 30 saves in the loss for the Westies.
Hand spoils Senior Day
Tigers defeat WH 6-1 in senior finale
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 14, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team was hoping to send the seniors off in style Saturday afternoon. With Senior Day at the Edward L. Bennett Rink, the victory was not in the cards.
Scoring twice in each period, Hand defeated West Haven 6-1 to drop the Westies to 3-14 on the season.
Nina Casalaina defends for the Westies. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Kat Allen, who scored twice and added an assist in the win for Hand, opened the scoring 4 minutes, 26 seconds into the game and Sarah Oswald increased the lead to 2-0 with 56 seconds left in the opening period.
After Emily Banasiak increased the lead to 3-0 in the second period, West Haven's Gabi Prisco scored an unassisted goal 7:26 into the middle period to get within 3-1.
Bradie Stryker made it 4-1 with 1:14 left in the second before the Tigers used two more goals in the third to pull away.
Marisa Pacapelli (l.) and Gabi Prisco (20) celebrate Prisco's goal against Hand, February 14, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Jeana Carrano made 29 saves as West Haven was outshot 35-13. Kylie Gargiulo made 12 saves in the win for Hand.
Westies fall to Guilford
Indians pour it on in win over West Haven
By MATT CILBRITH
Westie Blue
(February 13, 2014) - Guilford’s high-powered offense was just too much for the West Haven girls hockey team as the Indians put up double digits, winning 11-1 in a Friday night contest at the Edward L. Bennett Rink.
In the first period, Guilford’s fast-skating offense dominated, lighting up the Blue Devils for five goals. It could have been more if it were not for West Haven goalie Jeana Carrano making a ton of great saves early in the period.
West Haven's Marisa Pacapelli, seen here earlier in the season, and the Westies fell to Guilford, Friday, February 13, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Almost the entire first five minutes of the period were played in the West Haven defensive zone and Carrano shut the door on a flurry of good scoring chances for the Indians. But, with 8 minutes, 46 seconds remaining in the period, Guilford’s Nicole Raccuia deked by the West Haven defense at the blue line, then made a forehand-backhand move to put the Indian’s on the board.
Shortly after Raccuia’s goal, the flood gates opened up. With 2:33 remaining in the first period, Olivia Rowen banged home a goal from right in front of the West Haven net. The goal started a streak of four goals over the next minute and a half for Guilford, making it 5-0 Indians with only a minute remaining in the first.
“We were still in the game in the first period,” said West Haven head coach Carol Franco. “We played really well for the majority of the first period until that scoring sequence.”
The Blue Devils did get on the board in the first period. With just 20 seconds left, Shannon Siclari buried a loose rebound past Guilford goalie Bella Isnard which came off a long shot from the point from Gabi Prisco.
Franco said her team has to work on making the plays in order to get the offense going.
“We have to keep our heads up to make those passes,” said Franco. “Unfortunately, right now, we are making those passes to the other team.”
The Indians picked up where they left off just 10 seconds into the second period, when Raccuia slammed home her second of the game from right in front of the Westie net, extending the Indians lead to 6-1.
A minute after the goal, West Haven defender Nina Casalaina was called for a five minute major for boarding, giving the Indians a long power play opportunity.
Guilford converted twice on the major penalty against the Blue Devils, one from Katherine Rosadini and Raccuia knocked in another one, making it a hat trick for her.
The Indians notched two more goals before the second period ended, making it 10-1 going into the final period.
For most of the third period, both teams traded scoring chances, neither of them converting. West Haven got its first power play chance with 2:49 remaining in the game when Brooke Disante was called for a minor tripping penalty.
Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, they would give up a shorthanded goal to Guilford’s Sara Russo and wouldn’t convert on the power play, ending the game 11-1.
Lancers thump Westies
Prisco scores lone goal in 7-1 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 11, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team was looking to snap its losing skid in its tracks Wednesday evening against Notre Dame-Fairfield. Unfortunately for the Westies, the Lancers scored twice in each of the first two periods and three more times in the third to defeat the Westies 7-1 at the Milford Ice Pavilion.
West Haven, which saw its losing streak reach six games, fell to 3-11 on the season.
Carlie Tammaro. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Abby Porzio and Ally D'Aurio each scored twice for the Lancers as five different players found the back of the net. Emily Rowland scored once and added two assists.
Notre Dame wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Delaney O'Keefe scored 2 minutes, 40 seconds into the contest. The Lancers increased the margin to 2-0 when Porzio scored the first of her goals with 4:24 remaining in the opening period.
West Haven cut the deficit in half when sophomore Gabi Prisco scored her 16th goal of the season, unassisted, with 2:38 remaining in the first period. That was as close as West Haven got as the Lancers scored two more times in the middle period and three in the third.
In the second, Rowland scored 2:18 in and D'Aurio scored with 4:57 remaining for a 4-1 lead.
The Lancers poured it on in the third period with goals by Porzio 5:50 in, and D'Aurio and Jessica LeMere 58 seconds apart with 2:14 left for the 7-1 final.
Jeana Carrano made 28 saves in the loss for West Haven, while Bayley McKeon made 20 saves for the Lancers.
Westies stung by Hornets
Sandella scores in 8-1 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 7, 2015) - Shut out in three of its last four games, the West Haven girls hockey team was looking to break out. While the Westies scored, that break out session will have to wait as the Westies fell to Branford, 8-1, Saturday afternoon at the Edward L. Bennett Rink.
Erin Sheehan scored three times in the win for Branford and Hailey Manware came away with 13 saves to help her team improve to 11-2.
Janiene Tuinman. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven got on the scoreboard first as Alycia Sandella picked up a rebound in front and beat Manware for a 1-0 lead 2 minutes, 9 seconds into the contest. Sandella’s goal was all for West Haven and helped the Westies avoid being shut out for the fourth time in five games.
Branford scored three times in each of the first two periods for a commanding 6-1 lead. Marissa Guglielmi evened the game at one 5:41 in and the Hornets scored twice in 1:04 on goals by Erin Sheehan and Lexi Harney for a 3-1 lead with 1:58 left in the period.
Sheehan extended the lead for Branford to 4-1 in the first minute of the second period and the final 1:01 of the period saw goals by Sydney Hogan and Emmy Morton for a 6-1 lead.
Carrano finished with 27 saves for the Westies.
Blanked Again
Third shutout in 4 games drops Westies to 3-10
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(February 4, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team is looking for some offense. Since a two-game winning streak, the Westies have dropped four in a row, three by way of shutout.
West Haven's losing streak reached four games Wednesday evening when the Westies were blanked 9-0 against Simsbury at the International Skating Center. With the loss, West Haven fell to 3-10 on the season.
The Westies have been outscored 12-0 in their last two games and 27-2 during the four-game skid.
Gabi Prisco (20) and Carlie Tammaro (7), seen here in an earlier season photo, have spent plenty of time in the defensive zone lately. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Simsbury did not help matters Wednesday, scoring seven times in the opening period before cruising to the win. The Trojans had 13 different players in the scoring column and were led by Savannah Herbek with two goals, Kate Werle and Claire Bettor with three assists apiece, and Maddie Paydos with a goal and an assist.
Simsbury held the Westies to just four shots in the game, while taking 26. West Haven goaltender Jeana Carrano made 17 saves in the loss, allowing just two goals in the final two periods.
Simsbury jumped out to a quick lead, scoring three times less than five minutes into the game.
Savannah Herbek gave Simsbury a 1-0 lead 2 minutes, 5 seconds into the game and Elise Hildebrandt increased the lead to 2-0 just 1:49 later.
Goals by Herbek and Maeve Retynolds 28 seconds apart put Simsbury up 5-0 with 8:42 remaining in the opening period.
Westies fall to East Catholic
West Haven held scoreless in 3-0 defeat
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 31, 2015) - Playing one of the top teams in the state, the West Haven girls hockey team knew it was in for a battle. The Westies put up a good fight, but fell to East Catholic/Glastonbury/South Windsor, 3-0, at the Edward L. Bennett Rink Saturday afternoon.
Morgan Smith and West Haven fell to East Catholic, Saturday, January 31, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
East Catholic got off to a quick start, scoring three times in the opening period, and cruised from there. With the loss, West Haven fell to 3-9 on the year.
East Catholic scored twice in the first 5 minutes, 12 seconds of thegame to take a 2-0 advantage. Hannah Kilm got East Catholic going as she scored 2:46 in, then Eliza Baker doubled the lead 2:26 later.
Maddie Gervais extended the advantage to 3-0 with 5:50 remaining in the opning period.
Shannon Siclari and West Haven fell to East Catholic, Saturday, January 31, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The three goals were more than enough as West Haven managed only three shots on goal against goaltender Holle Usseglio, who recorded the shutout.
Jeana Carrano made 20 saves in the loss for West Haven.
Jeana Carrano and West Haven fell to East Catholic, Saturday, January 31, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Amity/NH/Cheshire too much for Westies
WH falls 7-2
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 30, 2015) - The West Haven girls hockey team was looking to get back on the winning track Friday evening.
Unfortunately for the Westies, this was not the case as Amity/North Haven/Cheshire scored three times in each of the first and third periods to defeat the Westies 7-2 at the Rinks in Shelton. With the loss, West Haven dropped to 3-8 on the season.
Nina Casalaina (l.), Morgan Smith (19) and the Westies fell to Amity/Cheshire/North Haven, January 30, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Gabi Prisco continued her solid season as she scored twice for a team-leading 15 goals and 20 points on the season.
ANC took control of the game, scoring twice in 1 minute, 36 seconds of the opening period. Emily Gotowala gave ANC a 1-0 lead 2:11 into the contest and Julie Petrillo increased the margin to 2-0 just 3:47 in. When Bailey MacNamara scored with 40 seconds remaining in the opening period, the Westies trailed 3-0.
Prisco got West Haven as close as the team would get, scoring off an assist from Janiene Tuinman at the 8:47 mark. The two-goal deficit was short-lived as Maeghan Francis scored with 2:02 left in the middle period for a 4-1 ANC lead.
Petrillo scored 12 seconds into the third and goals by Kiley DeGrand and Grace Kosh increased the margin to 7-1 with 1:45 to go.
Prisco scored the final goal of the game with 19 seconds remaining off assists from Carlie Tammaro and Jillian Perno.
Jeana Carrano made 26 saves in the loss as ANC held a 33-11 shot advantage.
Westies fall to Hamden
Offense stymied in 8-0 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(January 23, 2015) - After picking up consecutive wins over Lauralton Hall, the West Haven girls hockey team was looking to extend the streak to three games Friday evening against Hamden. Unfortunately for the Westies, Hamden had other ideas.
Holding a 35-3 shot advantage and paced by three goals and an assist from freshman Taylor Klesyk, Hamden easily defeated the Westies, 8-0, at the Edward L. Bennett Rink in West Haven. With the loss, West Haven fell to 3-7 on the year.
Klesyk and Hamden started early, scoring six times in the opening period for a commanding lead.
Taylor Besciglia and West Haven fell to Hamden, January 23, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Klesyk needed just 1:41 to get things going, then Hamden scored five times in the final 7:20 of the period to blow the game open early.
Off an assist from Olivia Santini, Klesyk increased the lead to 2-0 with 7:20 remaining, and Mackenzie Sargolini added another 28 seconds later. Maggie Gould and Klesyk scored 47 seconds apart with 3:337 left in the period for a 5-0 lead and Colleen Straub scored the final goal of the period with 2:57 remaining.
Gould scored off an assist from Klesyk in the second period and Samantha Talmadge scored in the third for the Green Dragons.
Santini finished with four assists, Gould had two goals , Smyth had two assists and Sargolini added a goal and an assist as Hamden had 10 players in the scoring column.
Jeana Carrano made 27 saves in the loss for West Haven.
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