Overtime with Ken Morse

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Ken Morse
Ken Morse

Mo’s Moments of the Week

Running wild

Naugatuck senior captain and running back Antoine Sistrunk has stuck it in the end zone six times in two weeks to lead the NVL in scoring. In last Thursday’s 36-6 win over Holy Cross Sistrunk ran wild, gaining 165 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns as Naugy churned out 301 yards on the ground.

She shoots, she scores

Naugatuck senior captain and forward Sara Marques has quickly become an instant offensive threat for the 3-1 Naugatuck girls soccer team. Marques has scored five goals, including two in a win over Watertown last week, to lead Naugatuck on a three-game winning streak.

A blistering pace

Woodland senior captain Brian Sardinskas set the pace on Tuesday as the boys cross country team improved to 6-0. Sardinskas crossed the finish line in 17:13, a full 44 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, marking the best time in the NVL this week.

Blazing a path to the net

Naugatuck senior captain Alexa Blazas has been a force to be reckoned with leading the Greyhounds (3-2) to a pair of victories. In a 3-0 sweep of Wilby last Friday, Blazas led the way with 12 service points, five aces and eight assists. On Tuesday, she led Naugatuck to an upset win over Oxford (4-1). Her nine service points and 12 assists led the team to a three-game sweep.

Making waves

Woodland senior captain Sarah Bryden set the tone for Tuesday’s 101-85 victory over Oxford. Bryden captured first place in the 100 backstroke and a second place in the 50 free style, but it was her first leg in the 200 medley relay and the final leg of the 400 freestyle relay that helped Woodland to first-place finishes in two of the three relay events.

Bonus Moment

Happy anniversary

Happy anniversary to me! Monday, Sept. 21 marked the beginning of my 20th season covering sports for the Naugatuck newspaper. I wrote my first article on a Brothers typewriter and drove it down to the Naugatuck Daily News in 1996. Good Lord where has the time gone? Joe Palladino was my first sports editor. Today I write for the Citizen’s News along with ten weekly papers for Hersam-Acorn Publishing out of Shelton. I get a smile on my face every time my 7-year old grandson Odin tells his friends, “My Grandpa is famous.” I don’t know about that, but I have had the absolute pleasure of watching the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat for two decades now. Blessed would be more like it.

Word from the Woods

Boys Soccer

The Hawks picked up their first win of the season in exciting fashion taking a 3-1 overtime victory against Holy Cross Sept. 15. Senol Music netted two goals, including the game-winner in overtime. Adem Rifati added an overtime goal and A.J. Oliveira made 11 saves in net. Christian Poirier, Zach Powanda and Anthony Barreira added assists. Woodland took on Watertown Sept. 18 and came up on the short end of a 2-1 final. Poirier scored the only goal for the Hawks on an assist from Rifati. Oliveira made seven saves in goal. Woodland played Sacred Heart Wednesday and will host Bunnell of Stratford on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Girls Soccer

The Hawks are out to a 4-0 start on the season. Woodland beat Watertown on Friday with Jenna Pannone making five saves in the net. Woodland got all the scoring it needed on goals from Jess Rodrigues and Julia Casimiro. The goals were set up on assists from Alexa Casimiro and Sam Plasky. On Monday, the Hawks traveled to Branford and dismantled the Hornets by a 4-1 margin. Pannone made four stops in between the pipes. Plasky, Megen Sirowich, Maribella Sousa and Hailey Borris scored with assists from Borris, Sirowich, Gillian Hotchkiss and Julia Casimiro. Woodland played Sacred Heart Wednesday and will travel to Milford Sept. 28 for a 3:45 p.m. contest with Jonathan Law.

Volleyball

The Hawks have rung up three opponents since its season-opening win over Naugatuck. Woodland shut out Nonnewaug last Tuesday and then beat St. Paul, 3-0, last Friday. Gina Farina led the way in the win over the Falcons as she put up 12 service points. Maddie Hupprich had seven aces and five digs, Emily Brouillette added three kills and three blocks with Sam White knocking down four aces. On Tuesday, the Hawks made quick work over Wolcott in a 25-19, 25-23 and 25-16 sweep to improve to 4-0 on the season. Jenna Boncal had five kills with Brouillette adding six kills. Carla Piccolo had nine assists and Hupprich added four aces. Woodland is scheduled to host Watertown Thursday and will be at Torrington on Friday.

Naugy Notes

Boys Soccer

Naugatuck has been all tied up recently as the Greyhounds are 2-0-2 on the season. Naugatuck battled to a 0-0 tie with Watertown Sept. 16. Rabbi Ahmed made six saves in the net to keep the Indians off the board. On Sept. 18, Naugatuck beat Kennedy, 1-0. Felipe Dutra scored the only goal of the game on an assist from Dave Ruela. On Tuesday, Naugatuck battled Oxford to a 1-1 tie. Alex Ribeiro scored for the ‘Hounds and Ahmed made four saves. Naugatuck will visit St. Paul on Friday and Derby Sept. 29.

Girls Soccer

The Greyhounds ripped off three straight wins to improve to 3-1. Naugatuck shut out Torrington Sept. 18, 2-0. Sara Marques and Hailey Boulanger scored for the Greyhounds. On Tuesday, Naugatuck beat Oxford 3-0. Sophie Boucher made eight stops in the net. Marques had a pair of goals and Boulanger added a goal. Naugatuck will host St. Paul Friday at 6 p.m., and will be at home again Sept. 29 versus Derby.

Volleyball

Naugatuck had a tough go at it dropping a 3-1 decision to Torrington Sept. 17. Ally Mezzo led the ‘Hounds with seven kills and Jenna Massicotte had nine digs. Naugatuck bounced back with back-to-back shutout sweeps. Naugatuck beat Wilby Sept. 18. Alexa Blazas led the way with 12 service points, five aces and eight assists. Kathryn Healy had 14 service points and seven aces. Emma Healy added six service points and five kills. On Tuesday, Naugatuck faced off handed Oxford its first loss of the season. Blazas had 12 assists and nine service points. Mezzo had seven kills and Taylor Hyde added five kills and two blocks. Nicole Healy had six service points and two aces with Kelly Murphy adding six assists. Naugatuck is scheduled to play Ansonia Thursday before matchups with Seymour on Friday and Wolcott Sept. 29.