Printer Friendly Version - Hand’s Boys’ Soccer, Field Hockey Squads Advance to State Semis

Spencer Hartmann and the Hand boys’ soccer team moved into the Class L State Tournament semifinals after defeating Rockville and Pomperaug in their first two games of the draw last week. Hartmann scored a goal for the Tigers in their 4-0 victory versus Rockville in the second round. File photo by Kelley Fryer/The Source

One week after claiming an SCC title, the Hand boys’ soccer squad advanced to the semifinals of the Class L State Tournament by winning its first two games in the bracket last week. The Tigers earned a 4-0 win versus Rockville and then defeated Pomperaug by a 3-1 score in a quarterfinal game.

With its overall record of 15-2-4, Hand will get ready to face familiar foe Guilford in the Class L semifinals this week. Hand, which is going for its fourth-straight state title, took a 1-0 loss to Guilford in the SCC final two weeks ago.

No. 4 seed Hand earned a bye through the first round of the Class L tourney. On Nov. 13, the Tigers hosted No. 13 Rockville for a second-round game and claimed a 4-0 victory.

After applying constant pressure in the game’s first 20 minutes, Hand broke through when Spencer Hartmann scored a goal by finishing off a pass from Scott Testori. A little more than five minutes later, Jason Wallack sent home a rebound off of an initial shot by Testori to make it 2-0.

Testori increased Hand’s lead to 3-0 when he scored with 14 minutes to play in the first half. Two minutes after that, Chris Porte slipped by the Rockville goalkeeper and slotted a ball into the open net to give Hand a 4-0 advantage.

Then on Nov. 15, Hand recorded a 3-1 victory against No. 12 seed Pomperaug in a quarterfinal matchup at the Surf Club. Jason Wallack netted a pair of goals, and Ethan Coe scored the other goal for the Tigers. Hand outshot Pomperaug by a wide 25-2 margin in the win.

The Tigers played No. 8 seed Guilford in the Class L State Tournament semifinals at Middletown High School on Nov. 18 (after press time). If Hand wins, it will take on the winner of No. 6 Wethersfield and No. 10 Wilton for the state championship on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The Tigers earned a dramatic win in their opening game of the Class L State Tournament last week. Hand went on to take a defeat in the second round to finish the year with a mark of 7-8-3.

No. 23 seed Hand played a first-round road game versus No. 10 Masuk on Nov. 12. The Tigers notched a 3-2 victory after winning the decisive penalty kick session by a 5-4 score.

Mia Forti scored both of Hand’s goals during regulation. The two teams remained deadlocked through regulation and a pair of overtime periods, sending the contest to penalty kicks, where the Tigers outscored Masuk by a 5-4 margin to get the win.

Hand moved into the Class M State Tournament semifinals after defeating Sacred Heart Academy and Wethersfield in the first two rounds of the draw. The Tigers, who have an overall record of 13-7, are playing Guilford in the state semis this week.

No. 7 seed Hand started off states by claiming a 2-1 home win over No. 10 seed Sacred Heart Academy on Nov. 12. Grace Goddard scored on an assist from Jacqui Sandor with 7:39 remaining in the first half to give Hand a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, Carly Barba netted a goal to make it 2-0.

Sacred Heart Academy scored its lone goal of the game midway through the second half, but the Tigers hung on for the win. Megan Hart made three saves in goal for Hand.

On Nov. 14, the Tigers hit the road for a quarterfinal game against No. 2 seed Wethersfield. Hand blanked the Eagles by a 1-0 score to advance to the semifinal round.

Hand played No. 14 seed Bethel in the Class M semifinals at Trumbull High School on Nov. 19 (after press time). With a win, the Tigers would face the winner of No. 1 Guilford and No. 5 Branford for the state title at Wethersfield High School on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The Tigers won their first match in the Class L State Tournament before taking a loss to Guilford in a second-round contest. Hand finished its season with an overall record of 17-7.

On Nov. 11, No. 12 seed Hand earned a 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-14) home win over No. 21 Pomperaug in the first round of states. Allie Nelson had 10 kills with two aces, while Sara Wohlgemuth posted 20 digs for the Tigers.

Three days later, Hand was on the road to face No. 5 Guilford for a second-round match and took a 3-0 defeat (25-14, 25-18, 25-19) to the Indians.

Carly Barba netted a goal to help the Tigers earn a 2-1 victory against Sacred Heart Academy in the first round of states last week. Hand went on to defeat Wethersfield by a 1-0 score to advance to the semis. File photo by Kelley Fryer/The Source