Round of Applause
Naugatuck football gets a big thumbs-up for its performance in last Wednesday’s season opener. If you read my story on last week’s game, you’ll notice lineman Devon Watkins’ quote about how “people” on my NVL Football Blog said the Greyhounds were going to be 3-7 this season. Confession for those of you who don’t read my blog (it would be great to have you, by the way): Those people were led by me. I frankly did not think Naugatuck’s inexperience on both sides of the ball would be enough to translate to a winning season. But Jason Bradley was excellent under center, the defensive front was relentless and Mick Pernell was stupendous in his debut as the go-to guy. There’s plenty of work left to be done for the Greyhounds, though, as Wilby will not be one of the league’s strongest teams. We’ll start finding out just what Naugy can do starting Friday at Derby, but kudos for a great start after a nightmare preseason.
On the Air, On the Web
Woodland football at Ansonia: I’ll be broadcasting our WATR Game of the Week this Friday night with Steve Gesseck and Bob Sagendorf. We go live at 6:50 p.m. and you can listen on 1320 AM or watr.com.
Naugatuck football at Derby: The CIAC Network, still getting off the ground, is scheduled to provide streaming video of this game, starting at 7 p.m. We will have the video embedded on my NVL Football Blog.
Word from the Woods
Girls Soccer
Woodland’s offensive juggernaut kept rolling early in the season with an 8-1 win over Sacred Heart last Thursday. All-state midfielder Keri DeBiase scored a hat trick, Steph Dumond tallied two goals and an assist, and Alexa Casmiro chipped in with a goal and two assists for the Hawks. Audra Blewitt and Jess Rodrigues also scored while Alaina Neddermann had two assists and Nikole Tyrell had one. Woodland beat Torrington on Wednesday, 2-0, and will play at Ansonia on Friday. The Hawks return home next week to host Derby on Tuesday and Wolcott next Friday.
Girls Swimming
The Hawks may not have as many superstars as they did in 2011, but that didn’t stop them from winning their first meet of 2012. Woodland beat Holy Cross 93-84 last Friday in Beacon Falls. Event winners for the Hawks included Sydney Corneau (50- and 100-yard freestyle), the 200 free relay team (Corneau, Sara Fowler, Chrissy Leeper, Emma Sardinskas) and Katie Porter (100 breast). Woodland visited Sheehan on Wednesday and will travel to league power Torrington on Friday. The Hawks return home for three home meets next week, against Southington (Tuesday), West Haven (Thursday) and Watertown (Friday).
Cross Country
At a quad-meet Wednesday, the boys fell to Watertown and Torrington, but picked up a win over Crosby. The girls beat Torrington and Crosby, but lost to Watertown. The Hawks will run at Waterbury’s Montoe Park next week against Wilby, Wolcott and Seymour.
Naugy Notes
Boys Soccer
The Naugatuck boys, one of the league favorites, remained undefeated on the young season with a pair of wins over the last week. Last Friday, the Greyhounds sneaked past St. Paul 2-1. Adam Branco scored both goals to lead Naugy in Bristol. The ‘Hounds had a bit of an easier time Monday as they shut out Ansonia 4-0. Adam Branco and Fernando Branco each scored twice and Ygor Silva had three assists in the game. Matt Bode and Enzo Pereira only needed to make two saves for Naugy. The Greyhounds beat Wolcott on Wednesday, 3-0, and will visit Crosby on Friday. A marquee home matchup against Watertown is set for next Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Girls Swimming
The Greyhounds started off their season on a high note with a 91-77 victory over Kennedy last Friday in Waterbury. Event winners for Naugatuck included the 200-yard medley relay team (Cara Rotatori, Maria Carranza, Madison Wilson, Erica Spino), Elizabeth Walsh (200 freestyle), Rebecca Doback (200 IM, 500 free), Wilson (100 fly) and the 200 free relay team (Rachel Fox, Barbara Martins, Doback, Walsh). Naugy hosts its first of five meets in a row Friday against league favorite Watertown.
Cross Country
At a quad-meet Wednesday, the boys fell to Wolcott, Kennedy and Sacred Heart. The girls beat Sacred Heart and Kennedy but lost to Wolcott. The Greyhounds will compete at the Stratton Brook Invitational on Saturday before heading to Torrington on Tuesday to face the Red Raiders, Holy Cross and Sacred Heart.
