Printer Friendly Version - Hand’s Soccer Squads Pick Up Shutout Wins; Football Moves to 2-0 by Beating New Fairfield

Lee Wildermann netted a hat trick as the Hand boys’ soccer squad defeated Prince Tech-University by a 9-0 score at the Surf Club on Sept. 13. The Tigers later took a 1-0 defeat versus Xavier. Check out Zip06.com to view more photos from the win against Prince Tech-University. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Source

The Hand boys’ soccer squad notched a lopsided victory, before taking a hard-fought loss last week to move to 2-1 overall with a record of 0-1 in the SCC Housatonic Division. The Tigers posted a 9-0 shutout against Prince Tech-University and then lost a 1-0 contest versus Xavier later in the week.

The Tigers blanked Prince Tech-University by the final score of 9-0 at the Surf Club on Sept. 13. Lee Wildermann netted three goals in the victory, Scott Testori and Ethan Coe both scored two goals, while Greyson McGeary and Jason Wallack each added one goal. Sean Burke had two assists for the Tigers, who also received assists from Spencer Hartmann, Wallack, Matt Cifarelli, Wildermann, Charlie Sullivan, Cole Finke, and Zach Cifarelli. Clayton Knibbs and Daniel Wehrle combined for the shutout in net.

Hand finished the week by taking a 1-0 defeat against divisional foe Xavier on Sept. 15. Knibbs made four saves in goal for the Tigers. Xavier scored the game’s lone goal in the 47th minute, despite being outshot 12-5 by Hand.

Hand came away with a victory and a tie in its opening week of action. The Tigers are 1-0-1 overall and 1-0 in the SCC Hammonasset Division.

Defending SCC champion Hand started its year with a 1-1 draw against Cheshire on Sept. 11. The Tigers went on to blank divisional opponent Lyman Hall, 2-0, on Sept. 13.

Last fall, Head Coach David Dikranian’s club won the SCC Tournament title and made the Class L State Tournament semifinals en route to winning 20 games for the year.

The Tigers scored another convincing road win in Week 2 action to move to 2-0 this fall. Hand traveled to New Fairfield on Sept. 14 and came away with a 35-6 victory in a non-conference matchup.

Phoenix Billings completed five passes on 11 attempts for 59 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to carrying the ball three times for 80 yards and a score. Colin McCabe led the ground game with five carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

Billings connected with Chris Bartosic for a 25-yard TD pass and 8-0 Hand lead, after which Billings raced 52 yards to the house for a 14-0 command with 4:47 left before halftime. McCabe then ran it in from six yards away with 1:12 to play before intermission to bring it to 20-0. With 11 seconds remaining in the half, Billings found Brad Cosgriff in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown toss for Cosgriff’s first career varsity TD catch.

On the first play of the second half, McCabe scored on a 63-yard rushing touchdown to make it 35-0. The Rebels (0-2) were held off the scoreboard until the final play of the game as the Tigers coasted to another victory. Shane Reiner had an interception on defense for the Tigers, whose varsity defense has yet to allow a point this season.

The Tigers will host Hamden (1-1) for their home opener on Friday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.

Hand began its 2018 season last week and emerged with a 95-83 triumph over Lyman Hall on Sept. 11

The Tigers’ 200 medley relay team of Kayla Mendonca, Ava Dougherty, Erin Reilly, and Ava Keane took first place with a time of 1:58.69 at the meet. Ruby Redlich finished first in the 200 freestyle (2:03.53), followed by Kylie Scarpellino (2:08.47) in second. In the 200 individual medley, Mendonca claimed first place (2:15.75) with Dougherty taking fourth place (2:32.03). Keane took first in the 50 free (26:84) with Kacie Wines finishing third (28.60). Reilly was first in the 100 butterfly (1:09.14) and Abbi Chemacki was right behind in second (1:09.28). Redlich placed first in the 100 freestyle (57:41) and Keane finished third (59:19). Scarpellino finished first in the 500 free (5:41.39) with Emma Ruffo taking third (5:52.59). The 200 freestyle relay of Redlich, Wines, Catherine Arrandale, and Keane also came in first place at 1:45.12.

Other strong performances were delivered by Mendonca (1:01.22) and Reilly (1:05.87) in the 100 backstroke, Dougherty (1:15.97) and Chemacki (1:17.00) in the breaststroke, and the 400 freestyle relay of Redlich, Ruffo, Reilly, and Mendonca (3:56.94). For the diving competition, Mary Huminski finished first with a score of 207.35, while Julia Bloomfield took third with 180.90 points.

In 2017, Head Coach Jen Lyman’s team finished at 8-3 on the dual-meet season, finished fourth at the SCC Championship, and came in seventh place in the Class L State Championship.

Hand started its dual-meet season with a pair of wins for an early record of 2-0.

On Sept. 12, the Tigers hosted Branford and Hillhouse at the Surf Club. Hand earned a 16-45 victory versus Branford and defeated SCC Hammonasset Division opponent Hillhouse 23-40.

Last season, Head Coach Steve Swift’s team placed third at the SCC Championship and finished seventh at the Class L State Championship.

Hand is 1-3 on the year after losing two of its three matches last week, although the Tigers did pick up a win in their divisional opener.

Hand took a 3-0 defeat (25-8, 25-18, 25-16) to Shelton on Sept. 12. Summer Adams had six blocks and six kills, while Allie Nelson added five kills and five aces.

The Tigers bounced back with a 3-1 (25-21, 17-25, 25-23, 25-13) victory over SCC Hammonasset Division rival Branford on Sept. 14. Molly Sawyer had nine aces, Nelson collected 15 kills, and Emily Thornbury added seven kills.