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04/30/2018 12:00 AMGirls’ Lacrosse
The Valley Regional girls’ lacrosse team was triumphant in two of its three games last week to raise its record to 3-4 on the campaign. The Warriors took an 18-13 loss against Old Saybrook, but bounced back by dispatching Morgan (16-9) and Woodstock Academy (17-11) later in the week.
On April 23, the Warriors faced off against Old Saybrook at home and took an 18-13 defeat. It was a close match all the way through with Valley trailing by a few goals at halftime, but Old Saybrook was able to take control of the game in the latter half and went on to get the victory.
Three days later, Valley hosted Morgan for another Shoreline Conference contest and netted a 16-9 win over the Huskies. Valley got out to 12-1 lead in the first half, although Morgan fought back in the second half and started to trim the deficit. Ultimately, the Warriors were able to hold on to the sizable lead that they had established.
Warriors’ Head Coach Cory Needleman hopes that the team she saw in the first half of the game turns out to be the team she sees in every game. The Warriors were firing on all cylinders, while looking to make up for their loss earlier in the week.
“We were beating them quite a bit in the first half, but we were a little flat in the second half. The girls were fired up after the Old Saybrook game. We did a bunch of team building activities, and they recognized what they needed to go out there and do,” said Coach Needleman. “Hopefully, we can finish more games like we started that one. Our defense was unstoppable. We were getting the cutter. On the attack, we transferred really well in the midfield. That’s the team we want to see every game.”
Two days later, the Warriors took the long ride up to Woodstock Academy and defeated the Centaurs 17-11 in a non-conference game. Coach Needleman was impressed with the way her team refused to get complacent, and stayed focused on working together.
“The girls started connecting and recognizing things we have been telling them. I think we are on the rise. If they play the way we did today for the rest of the season, they will be unstoppable,” said Needleman. “It’s up to them if they want to put in the effort or not. The teamwork was outstanding, and I loved watching them play.”
Boys’ Lacrosse
The Warriors dropped a 12-7 decision at Southington last week and are now 3-5 this year.
Charlie Ferrucci had a pair of goals and an assist, while Finn Miller also scored two goals for the Warriors. Rick Persico scored a goal and assisted on another, Sean Cole had a goal and an assist, and Cameron Frazier scored a goal. Dylan LaPlace made 15 saves in the net for Valley.
Softball
The Warriors won two of their three games last week to move to 7-3 on the season. With one more win, Valley will lock down a berth in states.
On April 23, Valley Regional defeated Portland 16-0 as Addy Bullis tossed a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts. She also went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI. Lexi Ross was 4-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base, while Carlee Kirla went 1-for-2 with four RBI and three runs.
On April 26, Valley hosted Coginchaug and dropped a 15-4 contest to the Blue Devils. Lexi Ross had two hits and a run, and Carlee Kirla went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and two runs.
Two days later, the Warriors defeated Cromwell 6-4 on the road on the strength of a late rally. Trailing 2-1 in the fourth inning, the Warriors tied the game, but then fell behind 4-2 in the fifth. Valley countered two more runs in the top of the sixth inning to tie it again at 4-4. Then in the top of the seventh inning, Erin Syzmanski had a game-winning, pinch-hit RBI single to put Valley Regional ahead for good. Ross went 2-for-4 with a triple, a double, two RBI, and a run, and Lauren Allen was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Bullis picked up the win on the mound.
Baseball
Valley had three games last week and won two of those games to move to 7-4 on the year. The Warriors are now one win away from solidifying a spot in states.
On April 23, the Warriors hosted North Branford and defeated the Thunderbirds 11-10 in eight innings. On April 26, Valley was at Westbrook, where they lost to the Knights 9-8. Two days later, New London came to Deep River for an out-of-conference matchup that the Warriors won 9-8.
Crew
The Valley Regional crew competed in a regatta hosted by the Pomfret School at Quassett Lake in Woodstock on April 21. Other teams competing included the Canterbury School and Belmont Hill. It was a nice day that featured a slight headwind of 10 to 15 miles per hour on the 1,500-meter course.
Each of the three girls’ boats competing won their respective races at the regatta. Rowers in the girls’ first boat crossed the finish line at 6:40.76, while the girls’ second boat finished at 7:30.8, and the girls’ third boat won its race with a time of 8:21.6.
The novice boys competed for the first time and came in second place with a time of 7:41.1 against Canterbury and Pomfret.
Boys’ Tennis
Valley played just one match last week against Westbrook and defeated the Knights 4-3. This win puts the Warriors’ record at 5-3 on the season.
Girls’ Tennis
The Warriors had two matches last week and split the pair to move to 7-3 on the year. Valley took a 4-3 loss at Westbook on April 23 and then prevailed 6-1 at East Hampton/Hale-Ray on April 26.
Golf
Valley had one match last week when the Warriors faced Coginchaug on the road at Lyman Orchards. The Warriors lost the contest 166-228 on April 26.