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02/21/2016 11:00 PMWrestling
At the Class M State Championship on Feb. 19-20, Guilford was fifth out of 27 schools with 147.5 points competing in its home gym. Placing for the Indians were Andrew Ignoto (126-pound weight class, 2nd place, 12-6 loss in the final); Andrew Tischer (152, 2nd, 9-5 defeat in final); Colin Rook (132, 4th, 7-5 loss in the consolation round); Oscar Carmona (160, 4th, 7-3 loss in consolation round); AJ Moscato (170, 4th, 7-5 defeat in his last match), and McKayd LaRose (145, 5th, winning 4-3 in his final bout).
Girls’ Ice Hockey
The Indians picked up their third win of the year with a 7-1 final over Lauralton Hall on Feb. 17. Catherine Lawrence had a hat trick for Guilford, which also saw goals scored by Alexa Petritz, Sarah DeLucia, Lauren Woxland, and Brielle Kendrioski. Assisting on scores were Bailey Haak and Kendrioski. Brooke Misbach made 14 saves as the Indians outshot the Crusaders 42-15.
Guilford then took a 6-2 loss to West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy on Feb. 20.
Girls’ Basketball
The Indians closed out the regular season by winning eight of their last 10 games to finish 12-8, including a 49-24 victory over Lyman Hall on Feb. 15. Ten Guilford players got into the scoring column, including Julia Hyman, who scored her first varsity points. Amanda King and Izzy Nerney led the way by scoring 11 and nine points, respectively.
No. 10 seed Guilford then traveled to New Haven Feb. 18 for the opening round of the SCC Tournament versus No.7 Hillhouse. It turned out to be a thrilling and physical game with the Indians coming away with a 51-44 victory. Nerney and Meredith Shank paved the way with 15 points and 12 points, respectively, to spark the offensive attack. Nerney hit two big threes in the third to push Guilford to a lead it never relinquished. Cameron Craig had an outstanding game with eight points, 12 rebounds, six blocked shots, and four steals.
Then Feb. 20, the Indians faced division rival and No. 2 seed Hand and took a 63-49 loss in the SCC quarterfinals. Guilford played an inspired defensive game and led throughout, clinging to a 39-36 lead after three quarters. King (15 points) and Meredith Shank (11 points) paced the Indians’ scoring, but it was Hand sharp shooter Paula Materin who hit two big threes early in the fourth to put Hand ahead. Hand applied an aggressive full-court press, which rattled the Indians and, in the span of a few minutes. The Tigers jumped in front 52-46. The Indians were forced to pick up man-to-man defense and foul, but Hand was unflappable, hitting nine free throws in the final frame and pulling away with a victory.
Guilford will regroup and get ready for the first round of the Class L State Tournament, which begins on Monday, Feb. 29.
Boys’ Ice Hockey
After a 9-5 win over Rockville-Bolton-Coventry-RHAM on Feb. 15, the Indians tied North Haven 3-3 on Feb. 18 and then beat Hand 4-1 to move their mark to 12-4-2.
Against North Haven, Guilford built a 2-1 lead by 10:31 of the second period with goals from Chris Cafiero (from John DeLucia and Stephen Thibault) and Thibault (from DeLucia and Cafiero). After North Haven grabbed a 3-2 lead heading to the third, Matt Clifford (from Thibault and Joe Neleber) knotted the game at 3 with 10:38 remaining in regulation. Kyle Dwyer made 21 saves and Guilford outshot North Haven 39-24.
“We generated some good scoring plays tonight. Their goalie played well and we needed a little more finish,” said Head Coach Ralph Russo. “Sloppy play with the puck in the last part of the second period cost us the lead. We had to battle back to tie it. We generated some good chances in the third and in OT, however, it just wouldn’t go tonight.”
In a 4-1 win over Hand on Feb. 20, Guilford scored four unanswered goals from DeLucia (with a hat trick) and Thibault. Cafiero had three assists, Clifford had two, and Thibault added one. Dwyer made 26 saves and Guilford outshot Hand, 35-27.
“It was a great team win that keeps our hopes of qualifying for the SCC Tournament alive. It was also our Senior Night game. The way the game started, Hand looked ready to play the role of the spoiler. The played a very good first period in which they took advantage of our mistakes with some positional play and with handling the puck. Between the first and second period, guys spoke up on how we could improve,” said Russo. “The result was much improvement in the second and third periods. Our seniors played well. They also had some great efforts around them. Jon DeLucia, with assists from Chris, Stephen, and Matt, scored a hat trick. Spencer Ryall worked the puck and the low forecheck relentlessly. Spencer Ryall, Ricky Sandella, and Alex Corso really controlled the puck well in the second and third period. While they didn’t get the goals, they kept the momentum in our favor and prevented Hand from the quick transition they showed in the first period. Kyle Dwyer played a really solid game in goal. We had a full house of fans for Senior Night who cheered loudly throughout the game. The team, especially the seniors, really appreciated it.”
Boys’ Indoor Track
Guilford was 13th out of 18 teams with nine points at the SCC Championship on Feb. 17 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven. Tallying points for the Indians were Corey Sondak by finishing sixth in the 55 dash (6.94), Finn Davidson as he was fourth in the 3,200 (10:10.41), and the 4x800 relay of Ben Siciliano, Sam Sessions, Adam Germaine, and Davidson finished fourth (8:40.26).
Siciliano later raced to seventh in the 1,600 (4:26.72) at the State Open on Feb. 20 at that same site.
Girls’ Indoor Track
The Indians placed 15th out of 18 teams by scoring 12 points at the SCC Championship on Feb. 17. Scoring for the Indians were Meredith Bloss as she was runner-up in the 3,200 (time of 12:08.76), plus Jacqueline Guerra was fourth in that same event (12:15.52).