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The week in photos – October 24, 2019
Around Town
Harvest Fair
First & Wesley United Methodist Church, 89 Center St.(corner of Second and Center), is hosting its annual Harvest Fair on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8-3. The fair features and all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8-10:30, luncheon from 11-2, crafts, baked goods, a cookie walk and door prizes. New is Joyce’s Garden Booth with various plants. Parking is in the rear of the church and is handicapped-accessible. For more information, call Peggy Jerrell at (203) 641-0929.
Garden Club confab
The West Haven Garden Club will hold its meeting on Monday, Nov. 4, at the Ora Mason Library meeting room, 260 Benham Hill Road. A luncheon will follow and the program will be presenter Mary Genovese speaking and demonstrating Holiday Table Settings. Newcomers are welcome with a $5 fee. For further information call (203) 937-1674.
‘Back to the Oldies’
A “Back to the Oldies” dance is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, at Cielo Ballroom (WH IA club),
85 Chase Lane, from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. A raffle will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Music is by D.J Charles Rosenay, featuring singer Carla Gemma. Smoke Free!! Cash Bar!
Cost is $25 per person For info call Geri, (203) 795-5473 or Lucy, (203) 468-2528.
‘Movie Week’
The public is invited to help celebrate “Movie Week at the Museum,” Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 6-9 at the West Haven Veteran’s Museum and Learning Center. A total of nine popular classical war movies selected by the museum’s curatorial staff will be shown in the new state-of-the-art Edward N. Silver Media Center. The center is a recent gift to the museum from the West Haven Rotary Club. Morning films begin at 10 a.m. and afternoon films begin at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door at $5 per film.
Chili cook-off
Come taste and judge different chili at First Lutheran Church, 52 George St., on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 2-5 p.m. A chili tasting kit is $5, $10 to enter a pot of chili. Contact Kyla, (203) 859-2088, for more information.
Auxiliary event
The West Haven Italian-American Civic Association will host a Doo Wop Dance at 85 Chase Lane on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., with Music by DJ Dave till 12. Free beer, wine or soda. coffee & Danish at 11. Tickets: $20 per person. Call Lou at (203) 934-3339 or (203) 464-1976 or Ben at (203) 933-4423 by Oct. 23.
Viet vets invited
West Haven Vietnam Era Veterans are invited to contact the West Haven Veterans Museum and Learning Center in preparation for its annual event on Sunday, Nov. 10. Veterans will be honored with a special program of music, gifts, tours and a full buffet. There is no charge for the event, but reservations are required as seating is limited. To make a reservation, please leave your name, phone number and number of persons attending by calling the museum at (203) 934-1111, or email whmilmuseum@snet.net, or visit us at 30 Hood Terrace (across from the West Haven Train Station). Reservation deadline is Nov. 1.
Atlantic City trip
F. Seniors and Friends are running a trip to Atlantic City on Jan. 6-8, at Resorts Casino. Cost of the trip is doubles, $235; triples, $229, single, $319. Four meals, two shows and slot play included. Reservation must be with a deposit is $50 person with final payment due Nov. 29. Call Fred Morgillo, (203) 389-5808, or (203) 927-4249.
I-A Seniors
The West Haven Italian-American Civic Association Senior Center is seeking new members to join its Tuesday senior gathering. Join a group of friendly seniors in an afternoon of good company, with Bingo, cards, trips to casinos and conversations with like-minded people and more. We meet at the club, 85 Chase Lane, each Tuesday from noon to 3. The cost is just $3 per week to cover expenses. We offer refreshments at no additional cost. Call Sherri Torre, (203) 932-2893 for further information.
Senior Center trips
Join the West Haven Seniors on the following scheduled trip: All trips leave from Savin Rock Conference Center:
Monday, Dec. 9 — The Westchester Broadway Theatre – “The Edwards Twins” New Holiday Themed Show! Direct from Las Vegas identical twins Anthony and Edward make musical legends come alive for this holiday performance. Sonny & Cher, Neil Diamond, Johnny Mathis and Barbara Streisand just to name a few of the acts re-created by the talented twins. Enjoy lunch at the theatre before the show. Cost $90 due by Nov. 1. Bus leaves Savin Rock Conference Center 9:30. Departs Westchester approximately at 3:45.
A flyer with further details is available at the office at the West Haven Senior Center 201 Noble St. or you can call the Senior Center (203) 937-3507.
Coin Show
The Liberty Coin Club of West Haven, organized in1962, will host a Coin Show on Sunday, Oct. 20, and Dec. 15, at the Elks Club, 265 Main St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Anyone with an interest in buying, selling or collecting coins, or with questions about coins, is welcome to attend. Expert dealers and collectors will be on hand.
Al-Anon group
An Al-Anon meeting group invites new members to attend its weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church, 52 George St. For information and details, call (203) 506-1464.
Student Loans
The Seth Haley Memorial Loan Fund of West Haven provides eligible college students with loans of up to $2500 to help students finish their post high school education.
Applicants must be West Haven residents who have completed two or more years of college or post-secondary work or be in their final two years of advanced work. Any West Haven resident attending college or a post high school professional, technical or trade school can be eligible for a loan. Repayments do not begin, and no interest will be charged until one year after graduation. If you are interested in making an application for a loan, please call Ralph Lawson, (203) 934-6442.
Seahawks’ squads head into playoffs
The West Haven Seahawks 8U team (8-0) finished a perfect regular season with a convincing 28-0 win over the Manchester Sentinels, earning the top playoff seed. Running back Majesty Whitaker had two touchdowns and Tristan Crawford and Mighty Jackson each scored one. The extra-point conversions were scored by William Pastore, Jacari Harris,Mason Booker and Jaydon Potter. CJ Schlauder anchored the offensive line and Chace Stanley, Kahill Tomilson and Brady Coe led the defense in another shutout.
The 10U Seahawk team moved to 7-1 and a playoff spot with a 25-12 win over Manchester. Running back Azriel Pizarro accounted for all four of the Seahawk touchdowns. The defense played well and was led by Leon Joyner, JJ Lugo, Angelo Petrezuiello, Yusef Turner and TJ Stevenson.
The Seahawk 12U team also improved to 7-1 and qualified for the Pop Warner Playoffs. Quarterback Nick Conlan connected with Jovon Williams and Aedan Coe for touchdown passes. Ethan Holy and Coe also had rushing scores. Teriq Mallory had a 71-yard interception for a touchdown to blow the game wide open.
The 14U team beat Manchester, 51-20, in an offensive shootout. Nasir Harris opened the Seahawk scoring with a 33-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Javar Smith ran for two scores and Damri Barker scored four touchdowns on the day. Tristan Dos and Xavier Fernandez played well on defense for the Seahawks.
The flag football teams concluded their season in Seymour and played well. The green team had great effort from Aaron Sullo, Emmanual Purdue, and Andrew Loehn. The Blue team was led by Cameron Davis, Levi Gatison, Aiden Dowdye, Jackson Boynton and Peyton Roach.
The Pop Warner playoffs begin this coming weekend. Please visit www.westhavenseahawk.com for more information.
Fall Poetry program set for Yale West Campus
The Fall Poetry Extravaganza presented by West Haven’s poet laureate, Tony Fusco, will take place from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 2-3 at the Yale West Campus, 100 West Campus Drive, Orange.
The program is open to the public with free parking.
Fusco, a lifelong resident who in April was appointed the honorary position of poet laureate by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, will read from his newest book, “Don’t Make Me Laugh,” at 1 p.m. Nov. 3.
The program will feature 22 of the best poets in Connecticut reading their works over two days and 20-minute intervals. The reading is in conjunction with the Art Space Open Studios program that runs throughout October and ends at the Yale West Campus with a large art exhibit on four floors of the facility. More details about the Open Studios can be found at https://artspacenewhaven.org/cwos-home/about-cwos/.
The poets and their reading times on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2, are:
1-1:20, Vivian Shipley; 1:20-1:40, Fredrick-Douglass Knowles II; 1:40-2, Gemma Mathewson; 2-2:20, Patricia Mottola; 2:20-2:40, Laurel Peterson; 2:40-3, Dr. Van Hartmann; 3-3:20, Mick Theebs; 3:20-3:40, Laura Altshul; 3:40-4, Victor Altshul; 4-4:20, Antoinette Brim; and 4:20-4:40, Diane Lowman.
The poets and their reading times on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 3, are:
1-1:20, Tony Fusco; 1:20-1:40, Katie Eber; 1:40-2, Marita Gargiulo; 2-2:20, Peter Ulisse; 2:20-2:40, Gordy Whiteman; 2:40-3, Gwen Gunn; 3-3:20, Kevin Carey; 3:20-3:40, Victoria Nordlund; 3:40-4, Pit Pinegar; 4-4:20, Barbara Greenbaum; 4:20-4:40, Julie Choffel; and 4:40-5, Christine Beck.
Hockey teams compete in tourney
The West Haven Squirt A travel hockey team played with a lot of heart, but came up short in the 25th annual Haunted Shootout tournament this weekend at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, MA.
The Blue Devils fell 7-2 to Nutley-Clifton (NJ), 3-2 to the Rye (NY) Rangers, and 8-4 to Black Ice of central Vermont.
In the three games, forward Cameren Lipford led the Westies in scoring (3 goals, 2 assists), Andrew Grillo and brothers Aedan and Kyle Guarino anchored the defense, and goaltender Alex Werle made 72 saves.
Against Nutley-Clifton, Lipford had two unassisted goals — a wrist shot off the left post, which was short-handed, and a wrister from the right blue line — and Werle made 34 saves.
In the second game on Friday against Rye, Kyle Guarino put the Blue Devils up 1-0 at 8:55 of the first period on a shot from the right point assisted by forward Tyler Silva. The Rangers tied it and pulled ahead 2-1 at 9:05 of the second. Silva then tied the contest on a rebound from Lipford at 0:44 of the period.
Werle kept the Westies in the hard-fought nail-biter, making a remarkable glove save on a two-on-one break at 10:46 of the third.
In the final game on Saturday, Silva scored twice,as did Dhruva Garani and Michael.
The West Haven Peewee A travel hockey team dropped all three of its contests at the Haunted Shootout this weekend. The team is now 5-9-0 on the season.
In Friday’s first game of the tournament, the Westies fell 6-2 to Millbrook (NY) Knights. Connor Moriarty hustled and dove to knock in his own. Jacob Silva was solid in net with 23 saves.
In Saturday’s early game the Blue Devils were shut out 7-0 by the Maine Moose.
On Saturday evening, the Westies fell 5-2 to Genesis Hockey Club of Pennsylvani. Dylan and Ronnie Mastroni scored.
The Peewee B team made it to the championship game Sunday before falling in the title game.
In the Westies first game Friday morning against the Rye the Westies were held scoreless until the third period when a string of passes from Juliana Gonzalez and Nolan Fortier ended on Dan Lavallee’s stick and he found the back of the net past a solid Rye Goaltender.
On Saturday, the Westies faced off against the New Hampshire Avalanche and won, 4-2. The Westies got off to an early 2-0 lead as Lavallee and Eddie Thomas scored.
Juliana Gonzalez had the eventual game winner. J.J. Hall sealed the victory when he smashed home a rebound in the third period.
Later that same day, the Westies took on Greater New Haven and won, 7-1. The Westies took an early lead and never looked back. Goals came from Hall, Thomas, Gonzalez, Fortier, and Jack Francis.
The win against Greater New Haven moved the Westies to second place in the division and setting up for the championship game against Rye Sunday morning.
The Rangers were up 1-0 after the first period and led 2-0, before Thomas grabbed a loose puck in the neutral zone, skated his way to the top of the slot and beat the goalie just over his blocker. Tyler McColgan had an outstanding tournament playing some great two-way hockey.
West Haven Peewee AA team traveled to West Chester Ice Line Rink in PA to take part in The EJEPL 2nd Showcase event, where the Devils played in four games over two days. The Devils were missing a key defenseman Cooper Deko, who was out for the Showcase.
West Haven opened up on Friday facing off against Palmyra Black Knights AA and posted an 8-0 victory. Gabe Locklear, Brody DiNuzzo, who scored a hat trick, Thomas Porto and Connor Benz scored
West Haven played Montclair Blues AA in their second game of the day and won, 6-1. Jack Aloi, Eberhart (2), Nick Salzano, Billy Mascari, and DiNuzzo rounded out the scoring.
On Saturday, West Haven faced Princeton Tigers AA and won, 6-3. Salzano, Locklear, and Tim Donohue, who had two goals, provided the offense. DiNuzzo found a loose puck in neutral zone, before taking it rest of the way unassisted.
The Devils entering their fourth and final game of the Showcase against Howard Huskies AA and posted a 6-1 victory. Nicky , Locklear, DiNuzzo, and Mascari (Locklear) scored for a 4-1 lead. Salzano scored the final two.
Peewee AA’s went 4-0 and outscored the opposition, 26-5.
On Sunday, the Peewee AA’s traveled to South Windsor resuming CHC play against South Windsor Knights A team and posting an 11-0 victory. Mascari scored three goals, while John Donohue, DiNuzzo and Salzano each scored twice. Beckett Stenz had an assist.
Cooper Deko’s defense was outstanding against South Windsor. Tyler Donroe and Nate Kempton split all five games over the weekend. Both goaltenders were a huge part of the team’s success.
The West Haven Bantam A travel hockey team lost in the semifinals in Marlborough this weekend. After opening the tournament with a pair of victories and playing as the third seed, West Haven fell to Parkland, 4-0,in the semifinals.
Brendan Smith and Bryan Hong played well in goal throughout the tournament, while Sean Bosworth, Haygen Axelrod, Dave Brown, Jason Alling, Matt Wezenski, and Josh Gyolai all played well defensively.
West Haven opened the tournament with a 5-1 victory over the Delco Phantams. Brown, Mickey Dowd, Cam Delvecchio, Colin Deane and Brown, again, provided the scoring.
West Haven won the second game of the tournament 9-0 over Genesis. The Westies scored five times in the first period and never looked back. Delvecchio twice, Brown, Jayden Spreyer and Michael Madera gave the Westies a 4-0 advantage. Chris Adkins scored, and Bosworth increased the lead to 7-0. Brown and Wezenski, off an assist from Gabe Mongelli, rounded out the scoring in the third.
West Haven fell in the third game, 2-1, against the Maine Moose. Trailing 2-0, Delvecchio scored West Haven’s lone goal with a tally with 24.9 seconds to go in the middle period.
Gabe Giaquinto, Kyle Droney and Dante Hardt all played well on the offensive side for West Haven.
The West Haven Bantam B travel hockey team placed second in Marlborough.
The Westies won the first game Friday against the Springfield Capitals, 3-2. Yousaf Ullah (unassisted) opened the scoring in the first period, followed by an unassisted goal from Matt Wright in the second. With the score tied, a late game power play goal by Ullah from Wright would hold as the game winner.
Later on Friday, the Westies faced the Rye Rangers and posted a 5-0 victory. Goaltender Austin Fruin got his first shutout of the tourney and improved to 2-0 on the tournament. The West Haven goals were scored by Wright off an assist from Kevin Gardner, Gardner twice, Javed Ullah, assisted by TJ Levenduski, and Alex Kurowski, assisted by Javed Ullah and Ashley Welch.
West Haven’s third game against the Sharks was a physical test but West Haven posted 2-1 victory to lock up the top seed.
Javed Ullah scored off an assist from Welch to tie the game at one in the second period. With 3:25 left in the third period, Danny Johnson scored on a rebound from Javed Ullah.
On Sunday, the Westies faced Greater New Haven Warriors and posted 1-0 semifinal victory. Both goalies carried shutouts late into the third period. New Haven called a timeout with the face off in front of Fruin and would allow the Westies to plot a plan of attack. Welch got the face off back to Yousaf Ullah who would break the puck out to a hard skating Wright. Wright created a scoring chance and with the rebound laying in the crease, a hard skating Alex Kurowski knocked in the rebound for the game- winner, moving the Westies into the final.
A rematch against the Sharks in the final saw the Blue Devils lose, 2-0, and take home second place.
Dragons outlasts Ghosts, 7-5
The Elite Soccer Camps Golden Dragons picked up a win in a tough, exciting match Saturday morning, overcoming the Jason Ranalli Grey Ghosts, 7-5. Matteo D’Elia scored a pair of goals. Ben Trenchard also added two goals. Jacob Rader, Jax Guarino, and Luca Decresenzo all played well, and Seth Empiris used a number of pull back turns to create space and pass the ball to his teammates. The Top Hat Dance Academy Green Crocodiles defeated ASH, 9-2 with an early goal by Julissa Oliveras, her first of the season. Ariel Titus and Lehanna Philogene both ended up with hat tricks. The Green Crocodiles’ defense was led by a strong effort from Kendall Gilchrist and Aarohi Jain. The Cappetta’s Italian Imports Polar Bears put up a good fight but lost to the Shoreline Wellness Blue Diamonds, 2-0. Jocelyn Kenny had some great saves in goal. Samantha Zuk, Luciana Cappetta, and Celeste DiNallo worked well to pass the ball up the field. For the Blue Diamonds, Ava Pellino scored two goals and Josylyn Davila played a great game in the goal. Emiya Mack and Nylah Arthur played strong in the midfield.
The Sweet Relief Catering Blue Thunder defeated Stars Ice Cream, 6-1. David Christensen put in a solid defensive effort and scored three goals, and goals were also scored by JR Salguero, Lucas Aronson, and Christian Reyes. The Porto Funeral Homes Gold Stars topped Milano & Wanat, 5-1. Bianca Davila not only played well defensively, but also scored a goal. Olivia Moretti scored for her team increasing their lead. Cheyenne Sebas scored as well. The West Haven Federation of Teachers Local 1542 Mini-Blueberries fell to the WH Italian American Civic Assn., 4-2. Isabella Cooper stole the ball from the opposing team several times. Avielle Bernardo played well defensively, stopping the ball from going into the net.
The Oyster River Energy Blue Wolves beat Frank Agent Plumbing & Heating, 6-1. Malcolm Thompson and Jeremy Salas Chan played well in goal, while Omar Elnatour and Jackson Schoeman played great offense. The Gunning Law Firm Blue Hurricanes defeated Keenan Funeral Home, 6-0. The Blue Hurricanes got goals from Lynnie Chesson, Kylie Gibbons, Arianna Throm and Sophia Empric. Angelina Torres, Alivia Riley, and Chelsea Hernandez played very strong and Lulu Sebas was excellent in goal.
On Saturday afternoon, the Bar Code U10 girls travel team played a well-fought game and tied host Wallingford, 1-1. Sophia Empric found the back of the net for the Westies while Lynnie Chesson and Lulu Sebas shared goalie duties each making tough savesThe George Ellis Company U11 girls played two games away this week. Wednesday evening, the Westies faced the South Central Premier U12 girls away in North Branford and coming away with a 2-1 win. The defense was anchored by Amiyah Jones and keeper duties were headed by Kayla Quintanilla. In the first half, Kaylee Pellino put in a goal and in the second, Nylah Beyah.
In a league game on Saturday, the U11 Westie girls visited Guilford and won, 2-0. Cristel Miguel played tough in the net keeping all balls out for the shutout. Some excellent passing in the first half by defender Amiyah Jones, to Katerina Oliveira led to a goal by Nylah Beyah. Beyah put a second goal in the net in the second half to put the game away.
Building off the solid play from the tournament last weekend, the P&B Express Lady Westies continued to evolve with a commanding 4-0 win over Madison on Saturday. The offense was sustained throughout the game with Madyson Ortiz and Nada Elmouki both scoring, assisted by Natalie Reed, Aliana Tepetl, and Amyah Kelly. The defense of Bellarose Ramirez, Angelina Messina, Michelle Ceja, Jayden Braacker and Katelynn Salgado completely shut down Madison. Sydney Gayle and Alivia Ginsberg combined goalkeeping duties to complete the shutout.
The Elite Soccer Camps U14 girls hosted Branford Sunday afternoon, coming out on top by a score of 5-2. The rain impacted the game early as Branford went up 1-0, but West Haven quickly answered. Aylin Soto scored twice off free kicks, and Ashynn Trenchard worked hard in midfield to get the ball forward for her teammates. Ericka Tighe and Cashlin O’Neill played well in goal, and Ava Murphy and Molly Gunning helped shut down Branford counter-attacks.
The West Shore Family Dental U14 boys played in the second round of the Connecticut Cup this weekend, visiting rival Southington. In a contentious match, the Westies fought hard, but came up short, 2-1.
Knights’ runners head to state meets
The football team returned to action in a win over Bunnell, the cross country team ran i the SCC Championship Meet, while the soccer team had an unbeaten week that saw them clinch a state tournament berth.
Cross Country –Ohm Patel ran 13th to earn all-SCC Second Team honors to pave the way for a 7th-place team finish for the cross country team at the annual SCC Championship Meet on October 17 at East Shore Park. Patel got off to a strong start and was steadily in the top 15 all race long before placing 13th in the end. Patel ran in 17:41. Patel was followed by Jacob Carson, who ran 18th overall and joined Patel on the all-SCC second Team. Carson crossed the finish line in 17:49. The other three runners who counted toward the Green Knights score were Devin Rodriguez, Oliver Shannon, and Gabe Quinn. Notre Dame will conclude its season by running in the CIAC Class MM Championship Race on Saturday, October 26 at 1:40 at Wickham Park in Manchester.
Football — The Notre Dame football team sure used its bye week effectively. The Green Knights played their most impressive 24 minutes of football of the season scoring on all seven first-half possessions building 49-6 halftime lead in their eventual 49-20 win. Matt Altieri scored three rushing touchdowns and added four sacks on the defensive side of the ball. Jackson Zalinsky threw four touchdown passes, two to Tommy Candelora and one each to Robbie Oliverio and Austin Pieck. Notre Dame outgained Bunnell 292-173 despite running only one more play (39 to 38). Candelora had a big day in the return game with 2 punt returns for 60 yards and a 60-yard kickoff return. Notre Dame will play its final Connecticut High School Football Alliance Game when they travel to play Fitch in Groton on Saturday, October 26 in a 1:30 kickoff.
Soccer — What a week for Kyle Cardenas. The senior midfielder netted two goals, one in each game, but what huge goals they were. His first goal against Branford was the game-winner, late in the second half, in a 2-1 win on Oct. 15. Two days later he scored again in the second half. This goal led to a 1-1 tie with Amity that clinched a CIAC Class L state tournament berth. Notre Dame has a two-game week, having played Cross on Wednesday while traveling to play Sheehan on Friday. Notre Dame will host Career in its final regular-season game on Monday.
Hall of Fame Videos — Please visit the Notre Dame Athletics YouTube Channel as we are posting video reflection on each of our inaugural Hall of Fame inductees. The videos will take you down a Green Knight memory lane for the 14 individuals and two teams that were officially inducted on October 5, 2019.
You can get all the latest athletic news, scores, and more by following @NDWHAthletics on Twitter, Instagram, and Periscope while frieNDing the @NDWHAthletics Facebook group.
Westies’ fortunes rebound with win
Through four games of the regular season, the West Haven football team may have had only one win, but realized the record could be switched with how tough they played.
West Haven continued to play well, topping Norwich Free Academy, 27-13, Friday evening at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven. With the second straight victory, West Haven improved to 2-3 on the year.
The contest was even at 13 at halftime as junior Jaden Grant, who rushed for 97 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries, gave the Westies a 6-0 lead in the second quarter with a 6-yard run.
With the game even at six, quarterback Andre Rentas ran in from 1-yard out for a 13-6 advantage. Grant put the game away with a touchdown run in each of the final two quarters.
The juniors gave West Haven a 20-13 advantage with an 11-yard score in the third, and added insurance with a 3-yard scoring run in the fourth.
Rentas finished the contest 14-of-23 for 146 yards in the air.
The West Haven volleyball team won two of three matches this past week to improve to 10-6 on the season. The Westies fell to Cheshire, but then rebounded to top Bassick and Foran.
team saw its four-game winning streak come to an end with a 3-1 loss to Cheshire Tuesday evening at West Haven High. With the 20-25, 25-19, 17-25, 15-25 defeat, West Haven fell to 8-6 on the year.
After a strong first game in which the Westies lost by just five points, West Haven came back to take the second game by six. Cheshire showed why it is one of the top teams in the area over the next two games, capitalizing on West Haven’s mistakes to win games three and four.
Noelle Noble led West Haven defensively with nine digs, while Neve Krajcir had seven digs, Giliana Santaniello five digs, and Bria Stanley four blocks.
On the offensive side, Santaniello had six assists and three kills, Stanley had six kills, Savannah Lopez added four assists, Noble had three kills, and Krajcir added three aces.
The West Haven volleyball team won its fifth match in six decisions with a 3-0 decision over Bassick in Bridgeport Thursday evening. The 25-8, 25-11, 25-10 victory allowed the Westies to improve to 9-6 on the year.
Santaniello led the Westies with 13 aces and 11 assists. Stanley had nine kills, four aces, and three digs, Noble had nine aces, three digs, and two aces, while Lopez had six aces and six assists.
The Westies team improved to 10-6 with a 3-2 victory over Foran Saturday afternoon. The 25-23, 21-25, 23-25, 25-12, 15-10 comeback victory was won in the fourth and fifth games.
After losing a tough third game, West Haven rolled by 13 points in the fourth game and pulled out a fifth game victory.
Lopez led the way for West Haven with 10 assists, seven digs, and six kills, while Stanley had seven killls, six digs, and four aces. Noble had nine digs and six kills, Thiana Baez had seven digs, Krajcir was solid with 11 digs, six kills, and three aces, and Chekeenah Jeudi added three blocks and two kills.
The West Haven girls’ soccer team played to a draw and took a loss in its two contests this week.
After seeing its six-game unbeaten streak come to an end in a loss to North Haven, the Westies 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.
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.
Tomalyn Williams, Grace Nowak, Taylor Nowak, Riley Severino, Caitlin Walker, and Amanda Tsakonas were stellar in front of Gardner.
The Westies fell to 4-5-4 with a 2-0 loss against Sheehan in Wallingford Saturday afternoon.
West Haven was outshot 9-7 in the contest. Gardner led the way for West Haven with seven saves.
After an eight-day layoff, the West Haven boys’ soccer team was eager to get back on the field. Traveling to Milford to play Foran, the Westies knew they were in for a battle.
With a defensive game in hand, West Haven and Foran played to a scoreless draw at Foran High Tuesday evening.
The tie helped West Haven move to 6-3-2 on the year and was the team’s fifth shutout of the year. John McLaughlin, who has been part of three of the shutouts, made four saves in the draw for West Haven.
The Westies held a 13-5 shot advantage in the contest, but Foran goalkeeper Luca Marinella made 10 saves to preserve the shutout for the Lions.
The scoring drought continued for the Westies as they fell to Hand 2-0 Saturday evening in West Haven. The Westies managed just three shots in the contest, which Hand goalkeeper Timothy Perez denied.
Hand, which held a 7-3 shot advantage, scored the only goal it needed at the 27:46 mark when Chris Porter found the back of the goal.
Brian Carew made four saves in goal for the Westies.
The West Haven girls swimming team fell to 1-7 with a 99-81 loss to Sheehan in Wallingford Wednesday evening.
The Westies had just one first place finish which came in the 50 freestyle as Kaelyn Falanga won in 27.48 seconds.
West Haven had several second place finishes. The 200 medley relay team of Madison Hobart, Molly Wilson, Victoria Acuna, and Kaelyn Falanga was second in 1:08.85, the 200 free relay team of Acuna, Wilson, Alana Orecchio, and Morgan Falanga was second in 1:59.75, while the 400 freestyle relay team of Orecchio, Kaelyn Falanga, Morgan Falanga, and Hobart was second in 4:16.63.
Morgan Falanga was second in the 200 freestyle in 2:21.55, Hobart placed second in the 200 IM in 1:40.19, while Acuna was second in the 100 fly in 1:16.32. Kaelyn Falanga was second in the 500 free in 6:00.42, while the 100 backstroke had Hobart second in 1:10.37, and the 100 breaststroke had Wilson second in 1:23.45.
For all of your West Haven sporting news all season long, including game articles, photos, videos and more, visit www.westieblue.com.
‘Open Mic’ Night brings out youthful musicians
By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
More than 50 kids have signed up to play during Friday’s open mic night at the West Haven Community House.
The event, which is held monthly, is hosted by Rock House School of Music and Teach Kids Music. But this time there is a special guest – Carmine Appice. Appice is a Teach Kids Music ambassador who is famous for his work with Rod Stewart, Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck and Ozzy Osbourne.
According a press release from Rock House owner John McCarthy, Teach Kids Music is a non-profit that partners with Rock House for open-mic nights to help children learn to play instruments. He said West Haven has a growing community of young musicians that gather each month to “jam and meet other musicians learning their craft.”
McCarthy said the school and Teach Kids Music have been partnering to host open mic nights for over four years. He said he and his staff donate their time each month to run the event.
“The kids have a great time; they practice all month to get ready to perform and it is great to see the smiles of accomplishment when they are done,” said McCarthy. “We are so proud to help these local children. We hope to build a music community that blossoms into a new music scene in the New Haven area, five years from now this can be the new Seattle with lots of new bands.”
McCarthy said the Community House offers a safe home for the monthly bash and many local restaurants donate snacks and food for the children.
“We have a great list of Music Ambassadors that also feel the passion for helping children learn music,” said McCarthy. “They come and inspire the children to do positive things in their lives. Just them taking the time to come and listen to them can change their lives in a positive way. We want to keep planting “Musical Seeds” that will continue to grow throughout a child’s life.”
Idea inspired resident to action
By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
When Kathryn Johnson sees people leaving out old suitcases to be picked up during bulk trash day, she sees an opportunity. Johnson is looking for partners to join her in starting “Kathy’s Suitcases for a Cause.”
The homemaker, baker and crafts-maker said she has lived in West Have for 13 years. She said she sees an opportunity to supply families or individuals in need, such as homeless people or orphan children, with rollaway suitcases and travel locks to give them a secure way to transport their personal belongings.
Johnson said hopes to find people who are willing to donate their space to hold the suitcases or their time deliver them.
“I need a place to store them,” said Johnson. “I also need volunteers to give them out.”
Johnson said she wants to focus primarily on two populations: the homeless and children slated for foster care.
“People in West Haven would be the priority,” said Johnson. “People that are very much in need. The next thing would be children that are in transition – being adopted or moved to a different foster home.”
Johnson said she got the idea in the spring when she saw suitcases on the side of the road for bulk pickup day. She said she asked herself how they could be better utilized. The homemaker said she sees a lot of people walking by her home with carriages that hold their belongings.
“They are picking up cans,” said Johnson. “They have their clothes in plastic bags.”
In reference to children in foster care, Johnson said she was in the foster care when she was a child. She said she thinks it would be nice to give children something to carry their belongings in when they are uprooted.
“You don’t know until you are actually in that situation,” said Johnson.
According to Johnson, she also wants to collect donated personal hygiene products for people in need. She is considering filling each suitcase with them.
“I just want to get this thing going,” said Johnson. “I don’t think anyone has really thought of this.”
Johnson said whether they partner with the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families or nonprofits in the area, she just wants to make a difference.
Johnson said anyone interested in helping her in this effort can call her at (203) 361-4789.