Rolling in the Season
Westies thump Career/Hillhouse
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 12, 2019) - Always looking to start the season the right foot, the West Haven girls soccer team did exactly that Thursday afternoon in New Haven. With nine different players recording at least one point, West Haven cruised to a 7-1 victory over Career/Hillhouse in the season opener for both teams.
Taylor Nowak and Cori Severino each led the offense with two goals and one assist, Emily Merola and Jessica Robinson each had a goal and an assist, and Selena Izzo added a pair of assists.
Riley Severino (5) and the Westies opened the 2019 season with a 7-1 victory over Career/Hillhouse, September 12, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"It was a good opening effort from us," West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. "We did a great job moving the ball and creating scoring chances. We had five different girls score, and everyone contributed on the field. I'm proud of the effort and the result. But, now we have to refocus and prepare for some tougher challenges."
The Westies took a 3-0 lead to the half and never looked back. Emily Merola scored with the help of Tomalyn Williams and Robinson at the 11 minute mark for a 1-0 lead.
Just 4:38 later, Nowak's first of the game, with Severino and Izzo helping, gave the Westies a 2-0 advantage. Severino capped the first half scoring with her first tally of the game off a helper from Merola at the 39 minute mark.
Nowak opened the second half scoring for a 4-0 lead with Madison Lentine and Izzo helping, before Riley Severino set up Cori Severino for a 5-0 lead at the 46:24 mark.
Robinson scored off a free kick at the 51 minute mark for a 6-0 advantage, and Emma Walker scored off an assist from Nowak for the final West Haven goal.
The Westies held a 14-3 shot advantage in the game with junior Mackenzie Gardner and freshman Kassidy Carrano each making one save.
SHA tops Westies
Westies thump Career/Hillhouse
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 14, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team was looking to build off a solid start of the season when the Westies returned to Ken Strong Stadium for the home opener against Sacred Heart Academy Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately for the Westies, they could not keep the momentum going. The Sharks scored twice in the first nine minutes and never looked back in a 3-1 victory over West Haven.
Emily Merola (11) looks to make a play against Sacred Heart Academy, September 14, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“We came out flat and Sacred Heart punished us for it,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “We were not focused and found ourselves down two goals in the opening ten minutes. We had to chase the game from there. We were better in the second half, put some shots on target. We had a nice goal where freshmen Mya Bermudez drew a foul, and then Emma Walker played a nice ball for Julia Tsakonas to bury in the back of the net. Our final freshman, Kassidy Carrano played a solid second half in goal, keeping Sacred Heart off the score sheet."
The Sharks attacked from the start as Paige Johnson scored 5:01 in, and Lia Prato scored 4:04 later. When Chloe Falls scored at the 31:59 mark, Sacred Heart had a comfortable 3-0 advantage.
The Westies finally got on the scoreboard at the 65:22 mark when Emma Walker set a nice ball for Julia Tsakonas who scored West Haven’s lone tally of the game.
Ava King made two saves in the win for the Sharks, while Mackenzie Gardner and Kassidy Carrano each made three saves in the loss for West Haven.
Westies fall to Indians
Indians top WH 4-2
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 17, 2019) - For the West Haven girls soccer team, it has not been home sweet home thus far in the 2019 season. With a 4-2 loss against North Haven Tuesday evening, the Westies fell to 1-2 overall on the year, and 0-2 at Ken Strong Stadium.
Selena Izzo (4) fights for a loose ball against North Haven, September 17, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Indians scored three times in the first half and another early in the second to go up by four goals, before West Haven finally got going.
"We were flat in the first half tonight,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “The second half was better. We played with more intensity and more heart. If we had put that effort in for the entire match, it would have been a different story. We need to find a way to play like that from start to finish.”
Trailing by four goals, West Haven finally got in gear in the second half when senior Taylor Nowak scored off assists from freshmen Julia Tsakonas and Emma Walker with 11 minutes, 47 seconds to go in the contest.
Just 49 seconds later, West Haven was at it again. Senior Alexia Guerrero scored with help coming from sophomore Cori Severino and Tsakonas to get the Westies within a pair of goals. West Haven never got closer as North Haven held on for the win.
Junior Mackenzie Gardner made six saves and freshman Kassidy Carrano made four in the loss for West Haven.
Rams rally past Westies
Cheshire posts 3-2 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 20, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team fell to 1-3 with a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss at Cheshire Friday afternoon. West Haven held a 1-0 lead, but could not close out the contest.
"The result was upsetting, but the effort was not,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “We played very well throughout the game. We were well organized and created some quality chances."
Madison Lentine scored off assists from Cori Severino and Jessica Robinson at the 14:20 mark for a 1-0 lead, but Cheshire evened the game 11:57 later.
The Rams were not done and took a 2-1 lead with 3:27 remaining in the contest for the 2-1 victory.
Mackenzie Gardner made six saves in the loss for the Westies. Cheshire held an 8-4 shot advantage in the game.
Dramatic Victory
Tsakonas lifts Westies
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 24, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team snapped a three-game losing skid and improved to 2-3 on the season with a dramatic 1-0 home victory over Sheehan Tuesday evening.
Mackenzie Gardner makes a save against Sheehan, September 24, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“We played well tonight,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “They were a strong team with an All-State forward. Our defense did a great job shutting her down, and limited them to low percentage shots.”
With time running out in the contest, Madison Lentine’s shot was denied, but the rebound was grabbed by Julia Tsakonas, who buried the game-winner.
"It was a great team effort and a well-deserved result,” Trenchard said.
Along with the goal by Tsakonas, solid defense and the goalkeeping of Mackenzie Gardner helped lead the Westies to their second win of the year. Gardner finished with nine saves in the victory as Sheehan held a 9-7 shot advantage in the contest.
Draw
Westies and Hand go Scoreless
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 26, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team moved to 2-3-1 with a 0-0 draw against Hand in Madison Thursday evening. The Westies limited Hand to just seven shots in the contest, including just one in the first half, but could not come away with the victory.
Junior Mackenzie Gardner picked up the shutout as she turned aside each shot she faced in what was a sold all around effort from the Westies.
“This is a pretty good result considering the last two times we were up there we lost by combined scores of 13-0,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “We held a very strong team off the scoreboard away from home. Hand is a good team that has been to the state final the last two years in a row.
“Defensively, we were very solid today. Tomalyn Williams, Grace Nowak, Taylor Nowak, Amanda Tsakonas, Caitlin Walker and Riley Severino all combined in the back to limit their chances and shutdown All-State forward Kayla Howard. Mackenzie Gardner was solid in goal and was there when we needed her. Offensively we struggled to put together a consistent attack, so it gives us something to focus on going forward."
Another Draw
Westies and East Haven play to 0-0 contest
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 28, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team moved to 2-3-2 with a 0-0 draw against East Haven Saturday evening at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven.
“I thought we outplayed them, but couldn't put ball away,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “We outshot them 6-1. We got our third shutout in a row, which is a real positive. The heat drained us late in the game, and we couldn't put it away."
Mackenzie Gardner made one save in the shutout for West Haven.
Back on Track
Westies top Cross 6-0
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 1, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team is back to the .500 mark. After a pair of scoreless ties, West Haven evened its mark at 3-3-2 with a 6-0 victory over Wilbur Cross at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven Tuesday afternoon.
Mackenzie Gardner and Kassidy Carrano combined on the shutout, with Gardner making three saves and Carrano one.
West Haven celebrates a goal against Wilbur Cross, October 1, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Selena Izzo, Jessica Robinson and Julia Tsakonas each scored twice in the victory, with Cori Severino picking up a pair of assists.
“It was good to get the win and see three different players pick up two goals apiece,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “Our defending continued to be strong, as was our goalkeeping behind Mackenzie Gardner and Kassidy Carrano. I hope we can build on this win going forward."
West Haven took control of the game with five goals in the opening half. Izzo got things going just 1 minute, 47 seconds in off an assist from Severino, before Madison Lentine set up Jessica Robinson 6:23 later.
Robinson gave the Westies a 3-0 advantage, scoring at the 29:10 mark off an assist from Severino. Just 4:50 later, the lead was 4-0 when Tsakonas scored off an assist from Kaylie Hollister.Tsakonas wrapped up the first half scoring when she scored off a feed from Alexia Guerrero at the 38:27 mark. Robinson added to her two goals by setting up Izzo for a 6-0 advantage at the 71:44 mark.
Improved Results
Westies tie SHA
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 4, 2019) - When West Haven and Sacred Heart Academy met to open the season, the Sharks had a clear advantage in a two-goal victory. The second time around saw clear changes from the Westies.
With each team taking just five shots, Mackenzie Gardner stopping all five, and the West Haven defense playing a strong contest, West Haven and Sacred Heart played to a scoreless draw Friday afternoon in Hamden.
“I thought this was a game we could have won,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “We had a great chance in the first half when Julia Tsakonas beat a defender and their goalie, but her shot was cleared off the line. Then, in the second half, we had a penalty shot that went off the crossbar. We played well and created some good chances. Our defense was solid and Mackenzie Gardner made the saves she needed to make to get us the tie. I'm happy with the point and the effort. "
For the Westies, the tie moved the team to 3-3-3 on the season and extended its unbeaten streak to four games with two wins and two ties."The result shows you how far we have come,” Trenchard said. “Last time we played them, we lost 3-1, so the tie is a good result."
Tsakonas leads Westies
Three goals and assist in 7-1 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 7, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team remained undefeated in its last six games with a 7-1 victory over Career/Hillhouse Monday afternoon at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven. With the victory, West Haven improved to 4-3-3 on the season.
"It was good to get the win today,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “It puts us one step closer to qualifying for the state tournament. A few younger players got a chance to show what they could do. Overall, it was a good performance and a good win.”
Jessica Robinson scores for West Haven against Career/Hillhouse, October 7, 2019. Photo courtesy Todd Dandelske.
Julia Tsakonas led the Westies with three goals and one assist. Jessica Robinson had two goals and an assist, while Cori Severino and Grace Nowak each scored once for the Westies.
Selena Izzo finished with three assists, while Mackenzie Gardner and Kassidy Carrano each recorded one save for West Haven.
West Haven wasted no time getting going, taking a 3-0 lead just 6 minutes, 47 seconds into the contest. Tsakonas scored all three goals off assists from Izzo on each. Emma Walker also had a helper on the first tally 1:42 in.
Severino made it a 4-0 contest at the 15:50 mark off an assist from Madison Lentine, before Robinson scored off an assist from Caitlin Walker 1:02 later. Robinson then set up a goal by Grace Nowak at the 36:58 mark for a 6-0 lead.
Robinson closed the scoring at the 60:52 mark off an assist from Tsakonas.
West Haven held a 10-1 shot advantage in the contest.
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GIRLS SOCCER 2019
All-State players - Carlin Guarneri '96; Danielle Lacroix '99; Rebecca Sampara '07; Nicole Pacapelli '09; Gabriella Reis '11; Marisa Pacapelli '13; Marisa Pacapelli '14; Gabi Prisco '16
Retired numbers - Carlin Guarneri (Class of 1997) #1
Blanked
Westies fall in North Haven
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 15, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team saw its six game unbeaten streak come to an end with a 2-0 loss in North Haven Saturday afternoon. With the loss, West Haven fell to 4-4-3 on the year.
"We just didn't play to our potential against North Haven," West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. "We were not connecting passes and gave the ball away too easily. They capitalized on their two good chances and made us pay."
West Haven had six shots in the game, but could not capitalize. Mackenzie Gardner made five saves in the loss.
Scoreless Draw
Westies and Cheshire play to 0-0 game
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 15, 2019) - After seeing its six-game unbeaten streak come to an end in a loss to North Haven, the West Haven girls soccer team got back on the field three days later. Playing a hard-fought contest, West Haven and Cheshire played to a scoreless draw at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven Tuesday evening.
With the tie, West Haven moves to 4-4-4 on the year and the team is 3-1-3 over its last seven contests.
Grace (l.) and Taylor Nowak (r.) combine to help preserve the shutout in a scoreless draw with Cheshire, October 15, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
“We were very strong defensively against a good opponent,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “We limited them to mostly low risk shots. In the first half, we were a little cautious, but in the second half, we went at them and outplayed them for large portions of the half. It is a good result against a very good team.”
Each team had eight shots on target in the contest. West Haven goalkeeper Mackenzie Gardner led the way with eight saves for the Westies.
The game was West Haven’s sixth shutout on the year, and Gardner’s fifth, with one combined.
Gardner was aided by a strong defensive effort from the Westies. Selena Izzo strong at midfield, and according to Trenchard “the whole defense was great.”Tomalyn Williams, Grace Nowak, Taylor Nowak, Riley Severino, Caitlin Walker, and Amanda Tsakonas were stellar in front of Gardner.
Sheehan blanks Westies
Titans post 2-0 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 19, 2019) - The West Haven girls soccer team fell to 4-5-4 with a 2-0 loss against Sheehan in Wallingford Saturday afternoon.
"The outplayed us today," West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. "They came out fired up and ready to play, and brought it to us."
West Haven was outshot 9-7 in the contest. Mackenzie Garrdner led the way for West Haven with seven saves.
"We fought hard, but we couldn't get back into the game," Trenchard said.
Upper Hand
Westies blank Tigers
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 21, 2019) - With an 0-2-1 stretch staring in its face, the West Haven girls soccer team looked for a way to get out of its slump. Facing a tough Hand-Madison squad, the Westies turned to its defense and goalkeeping, along with timely scoring to post a 2-0 victory in West Haven Monday evening.
West Haven against Hand, October 21, 2019. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The win improved West Haven’s record to 5-5-4 and qualified the Westies for the state tournament.
Mackenzie Gardner made six saves, Jessica Robinson and Selena Izzo found the back of the net, and a solid defense which held Hand to just seven shots, helped West Haven get back on track.
"Overall, we played very well tonight,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “We bounced back from the loss to Sheehan in our last game, and got a big win against a good team. The win qualified us for the state tournament, which is always the endgame."
Both West Haven goals came as a result of hard work as Robinson scored on a penalty kick and Izzo scored on a free kick after a foul was drawn by Maya Bermudez.
"Defensively we were solid, and we weathered their attacks and didn't give them many quality chances,” Trenchard said.
East tops West
Westies fall 1-0 to Yellowjackets
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 23, 2019) - Having not scored in three of its last four games and going 1-2-1 in the process, West Haven was looking to keep the momentum from a big win over Hand. That momentum slipped away.
With a slow start to the contest, West Haven dropped a 1-0 road decision against east Haven Wednesday evening. The loss dropped the Westies to 5-6-4 on the year.
“East Haven came out fired up and ready to play,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “We were a little flat in the first half and they made us pay. The second half was much better, but their goalkeeper made some great saves and they cleared a ball off the line with only minutes left. We now have to shift our focus to Saturday against Cross and make sure we get the win to finish the season at .500. "
West Haven held a 10-6 shot advantage in the contest with Mackenzie Gardner making nine saves.
Westies top Cross
WH posts 2-0 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 26, 2019) - West Haven coach Pete Trenchard wanted to close the regular season on a high note as the postseason approached. Winning two of three games to close the regular season had the Westies enter the postseason with a 6-6-4 record.
West Haven ended the season in impressive fashion with a 2-0 victory over Wilbur Cross on Saturday.
"It was nice to finish the regular season with the win," Trenchard said. "Cross played well and made it tough on us, but we found a way to score and to finish the season with a .500 record. Now, we take a couple of days off to rest and recuperate, and then get back to work to focus on the state tournament. "
Mackenzie Gardner picked up her eighth individual shutout of the year with six saves.
The Westies had 10 shots in the contest and took a 1-0 lead when Emma Walker scores from Alexia Guerrero at the 23:37 mark.
Cross battled and gave West Haven all it could handle before Julia Tsakonas scored from Jess Robinson at 76:04.
Season Over
WH falls in Class LL first round
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(November 12, 2019) - The season has come to a close for the West Haven girls soccer team. Traveling to play 10th-seeded Farmington, the 23rd-seeded Westies dropped a 3-1 decision in the opening round of the CIAC Class LL state tournament.
With the loss, West Haven ends the season with a 6-7-4 record.
"It's a tough way to end the season,” West Haven coach Pete Trenchard said. “They outplayed us for most of the first half, until the last ten minutes where we got one back. The second half we were much better and created some great chances. They were a good team and we fought until the very end."
Cori Severino scored the lone West Haven goal off an assist from Madison Lentine.
Farmington held a 10-7 shot advantage in the contest.
After all the goals were scored in the first half, West Haven had the better of the play in the second half, but could not capitalize.
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