This Wednesday the Varsity Girls Squash team had the opportunity to travel into NYC and play a match at the Harvard Club. Seven Upper School girls participated and everyone really enjoyed the experience. Our thanks go out to Brearly for hosting us, and a hardy congratulations to the Portledge squash players, some of whom were playing their first ever match.
Who Are Some of the Girls Who Play Squash @ Portledge?
Squash is in its fifth year at the school and for the first time we are able to field a full girls team of seven individuals? The most experienced players are Haley Schattner, Stephanie Hegarty, Maria Wade and Elizabeth Girgenti. Hannah Fortgang is in her second year of the sport and Freshmen Ali James and Tori Phillips have taken up squash following their participation in the tennis program this fall. During the afternoon in the city both Maria Wade and Stephanie Hegarty were able to win an individual match. This is great news for Portledge squash in that Portledge is obviously becoming more competitive with schools that have had squash as a part of their athletic programs for a long time. Congratulations girls and good luck in your future matches.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Athletes of the Week
Congratulations to Girls Ice Hockey goalie, Jessica Sarrantonio '08 and Varsity Boys Basketball forward, Kai Stoll '08 for the hard work and leadership this past week. Both players helped their teams to great wins!!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
An Alum's Success is Bittersweat/Varsity Boys Hockey Loses to Fairlawn in OT
Head Coach and Portledge alum Mike Goodrich '88 relishes the opportunity to bring his Fairlawn High hockey team out to Long Island each season to play against Portledge at Beaver Dam. Mike has very strong and positive feelings about his time at Portledge. On many an occasion he has commented about how his Portledge experience helped shaped his entire life. Last night was particularly special for everyone involved because many of Mike's former teamates as well as Mike's parents, who had worked so hard to send him to Portledge in the first place, were in attendence at the Portledge v. Fairlawn Varsity Boys Ice Hockey game. This would be the second ever meeting between the boys ice hockey teams from these two schools, with Portledge taking last year's game by a score of 4-2. Thus, the stage was set for another exciting night down at "the Dam".
How Did This Overtime Thriller Unfold?
Even though Portledge enjoyed a territorial edge during the first period, they could't seem to find the right connection needed to score a goal. The heavy Panther pressure created many chances, but yielded no tangiable results as half way through the opening session the score remained tied at zero. Then, while Portledge was on the power play, the talented Fairlawn duo of #s 12 and 3 managed to create a turnover and head down the ice towards the Portledge zone. At first it looked like Sophomore defensemen David Wilson had thwarted their attack, when the Clippers #12 made a spin-a-ramma move on a losse puck and sent a perfect pass to his mate on the far post leading to the opening goal of the game. The Panthers looked a bit dejected by this unlikely turn of events, and the rest of the first period went by without any real strong chances for either team.
The Panther's play at the start of the 2nd continued to be less than trilling, and only the incredible goaltending of Sophomore keeper Sal Magliocco kept Fairlawn from extending their lead. Mags made some awesome saves on what looked to be sure goals for the Clippers. THEN THE PORTLEDGE OFFENSE EXPLODED! Wilson made a nice play to break the Panthers out of their own zone and the Senior line of captain Zach Lombardi, "Big Al" Vitsentzos and
"Lil' Dan" Leavey finished the break off with Vitsentzos getting the goal. In the next five minutes the Panthers tallied twice more, with the Lombardi notching both goals. Everything seemed to be going well for Portledge as the teams retired to their dressing rooms following this exciting period. Little did we all know.
The first half of the third was uneventful, but then, with about six minutes left to play, Portledge was assessed two simultaneous penalties giving Fairlawn a 5 on 3 advantage. In a gutsy and unorthodox move, Fairlawn coach Goodrich pulled his goalie to make it six attackers v. three defenders. The risky gamble paid off as Fairlawn scored with time remaining on one of the penalties. Even though their goalie was sent back in during the ensueing power play, the Clippers soon scored again and this back and forth contest seemed headed for overtime. In the second minute of the OT session the Portledge line of Freshmen Steve DiBartolomeo, Junior Renny Kraft and Senior Austin Prey drew a Fairlawn penalty by apllying a strong forecheck anfd forcing a Clipper defenseman to haul down Kraft in the slot. The Portledge power play took some hard shots at the Fairlawn keeper, but then another turnover sent the Clipper penalty killers flying outn of the zone on a break. Seconds later a perfect shot beat Magliocco and the FAIRLAWN PLAYERS WERE MOBBONG THE ICE IN CELEBRATION! What a game! As much as the Portledge players wanted a victory, sometimes it just doesn't turn out that way. Still, the Panther skaters should be commended for their effort and fine play, and all our congratulations go out to the Fairlawn Clippers and their coach Mike Goodrich, Portledge Class of '88.
How Did This Overtime Thriller Unfold?
Even though Portledge enjoyed a territorial edge during the first period, they could't seem to find the right connection needed to score a goal. The heavy Panther pressure created many chances, but yielded no tangiable results as half way through the opening session the score remained tied at zero. Then, while Portledge was on the power play, the talented Fairlawn duo of #s 12 and 3 managed to create a turnover and head down the ice towards the Portledge zone. At first it looked like Sophomore defensemen David Wilson had thwarted their attack, when the Clippers #12 made a spin-a-ramma move on a losse puck and sent a perfect pass to his mate on the far post leading to the opening goal of the game. The Panthers looked a bit dejected by this unlikely turn of events, and the rest of the first period went by without any real strong chances for either team.
The Panther's play at the start of the 2nd continued to be less than trilling, and only the incredible goaltending of Sophomore keeper Sal Magliocco kept Fairlawn from extending their lead. Mags made some awesome saves on what looked to be sure goals for the Clippers. THEN THE PORTLEDGE OFFENSE EXPLODED! Wilson made a nice play to break the Panthers out of their own zone and the Senior line of captain Zach Lombardi, "Big Al" Vitsentzos and
"Lil' Dan" Leavey finished the break off with Vitsentzos getting the goal. In the next five minutes the Panthers tallied twice more, with the Lombardi notching both goals. Everything seemed to be going well for Portledge as the teams retired to their dressing rooms following this exciting period. Little did we all know.
The first half of the third was uneventful, but then, with about six minutes left to play, Portledge was assessed two simultaneous penalties giving Fairlawn a 5 on 3 advantage. In a gutsy and unorthodox move, Fairlawn coach Goodrich pulled his goalie to make it six attackers v. three defenders. The risky gamble paid off as Fairlawn scored with time remaining on one of the penalties. Even though their goalie was sent back in during the ensueing power play, the Clippers soon scored again and this back and forth contest seemed headed for overtime. In the second minute of the OT session the Portledge line of Freshmen Steve DiBartolomeo, Junior Renny Kraft and Senior Austin Prey drew a Fairlawn penalty by apllying a strong forecheck anfd forcing a Clipper defenseman to haul down Kraft in the slot. The Portledge power play took some hard shots at the Fairlawn keeper, but then another turnover sent the Clipper penalty killers flying outn of the zone on a break. Seconds later a perfect shot beat Magliocco and the FAIRLAWN PLAYERS WERE MOBBONG THE ICE IN CELEBRATION! What a game! As much as the Portledge players wanted a victory, sometimes it just doesn't turn out that way. Still, the Panther skaters should be commended for their effort and fine play, and all our congratulations go out to the Fairlawn Clippers and their coach Mike Goodrich, Portledge Class of '88.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Leadership Keys Another Victory/Varsity Girls Hockey Defeats Millbrook
Senior Jess Sarrantonio wasn't feeling too well when she woke up on Friday morning, but she knew she had to get up the energy to come to school. Jess, you see, is the only goalie on the Varsity Girls Ice Hockey team and there was a big game scheduled for Friday night. She is also one of only two players to have played in every game in the history of girls ice hockey at Portledge, so there was no way Jess was going to miss her last trip to the famed Bonticou Rink at Millbrook School. It's funny the way things in sports happen sometimes because as it turns out, it was Jess' play that night that keyed the victory for the Portledge girls over yet another quality New England prep school team. Even more important than Jess' fine play though, was the sense of commitment and leadership she displayed for the younger girls. Not once all night did Jess say anything about not feeling well to anybody but the coaches. She just put on her pads, got between the pipes and turned away one Mustang shot after another. Her devotion, as well as that of the other veteran players, to girls ice hockey at Portledge is really something to be commended and admired. Thus, when you see the younger players compete with so much energy and poise, it is not difficult to discern from where it comes. You need not look any further than the team's netminder and her other veteran comrades.
What Happened in This Exciting Game?
The Portledge VGIH team knew it would be a difficult test. Not only is the Millbrook Varsity
team a quality squad, but Portledge would be playing without one of its top defensemen, Sophomore Emily Prey, who was out of the line up with an injured shoulder. There was some trepidation by the ten Lady Panther skaters who took the ice when the Millbrook team came roaring out of the locker room twenty five strong. Once the puck dropped, however, it was apparent that the Portledge girls were very much focused on victory. There just was an unmistakable determination to their play that couldn't be matched by the deeper, and some would say more talented, Millbrook team. So, when Freshman Ashley Wade stole the pick while Portledge was down a player in the box, and calmy flicked it into the Millbrook goal, there wasn't anyone on the bench that was surprised. In fact, the girls hardly celebrated because they knew there was much hard work to be done. It was a fast paced game that one of the referee's characterized as, "excellent hockey with crisp passing".Up and down the teams went, trading one strong scoring chance for another, when half way through the first period Junior Siena Falino spotted Freshman Alyssa Parke flying out of the zone early and sent a long clearing pass in the rough and tumble wing's direction. Parke chased the puck down and rifled a shot from a tough angle through the pads of the Millbrook. The goal capped an excellent period of play as the Portledge girls retired to the dressing room with a 2-0 lead.
Millbrook got one back early in the second before an extensive forecheck and cycle play resulted in another Panther goal. Falino and Sophomore Addie Reilly worked the puck back and forth to each other in the corner with Reilly eventually finding Falino with a crisp pass as she rolled to the goal. The Junior sniper made no mistake as she buried a wrister in the top corner to restore a two goal lead for the Portledge team. Millbrook scored again early in the third period, but then Sarrantonio shut the door, turning away one Mustang chance after another as the clock wound down. Falino added an insurance goal in the final minutes, and the Lady Panthers enjoyed the last few minutes of play with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
That's four in a row for this close knit team with a big tilt V. Lawrenceville scheduled for this Wednesday. The game is AWAY @Lawrenceville and the puck will drop at 5:30.
What Happened in This Exciting Game?
The Portledge VGIH team knew it would be a difficult test. Not only is the Millbrook Varsity
team a quality squad, but Portledge would be playing without one of its top defensemen, Sophomore Emily Prey, who was out of the line up with an injured shoulder. There was some trepidation by the ten Lady Panther skaters who took the ice when the Millbrook team came roaring out of the locker room twenty five strong. Once the puck dropped, however, it was apparent that the Portledge girls were very much focused on victory. There just was an unmistakable determination to their play that couldn't be matched by the deeper, and some would say more talented, Millbrook team. So, when Freshman Ashley Wade stole the pick while Portledge was down a player in the box, and calmy flicked it into the Millbrook goal, there wasn't anyone on the bench that was surprised. In fact, the girls hardly celebrated because they knew there was much hard work to be done. It was a fast paced game that one of the referee's characterized as, "excellent hockey with crisp passing".Up and down the teams went, trading one strong scoring chance for another, when half way through the first period Junior Siena Falino spotted Freshman Alyssa Parke flying out of the zone early and sent a long clearing pass in the rough and tumble wing's direction. Parke chased the puck down and rifled a shot from a tough angle through the pads of the Millbrook. The goal capped an excellent period of play as the Portledge girls retired to the dressing room with a 2-0 lead.
Millbrook got one back early in the second before an extensive forecheck and cycle play resulted in another Panther goal. Falino and Sophomore Addie Reilly worked the puck back and forth to each other in the corner with Reilly eventually finding Falino with a crisp pass as she rolled to the goal. The Junior sniper made no mistake as she buried a wrister in the top corner to restore a two goal lead for the Portledge team. Millbrook scored again early in the third period, but then Sarrantonio shut the door, turning away one Mustang chance after another as the clock wound down. Falino added an insurance goal in the final minutes, and the Lady Panthers enjoyed the last few minutes of play with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
That's four in a row for this close knit team with a big tilt V. Lawrenceville scheduled for this Wednesday. The game is AWAY @Lawrenceville and the puck will drop at 5:30.
Fencing and Squash Start Play This Week
What's Going On with Fencing and Squash?
Post break winter season sports get going in earnest this week with the Varsity Fencing and Squash teams taking to action. The teams have been working hard in preparation for the bulk of their competitive schedules and they are ready to go. The fencers have home matches on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and on Saturday morning. The home fencing matches take place in the lower school gym. The Lady Squashers will take on the Brearly School on Wednesday
afternoon at the Harvard Club in NYC. Good Luck to both teams, I'm eager to blog about your progress.
Post break winter season sports get going in earnest this week with the Varsity Fencing and Squash teams taking to action. The teams have been working hard in preparation for the bulk of their competitive schedules and they are ready to go. The fencers have home matches on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and on Saturday morning. The home fencing matches take place in the lower school gym. The Lady Squashers will take on the Brearly School on Wednesday
afternoon at the Harvard Club in NYC. Good Luck to both teams, I'm eager to blog about your progress.
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