May 3, 2013 - Southingtonlibrary.org

More documents

Recommendations

Info

38 To advertise, call (860) 628-9645 The Step Saver/ The Observer Friday, May 3, 2013 Remember the loss By JOHN GORALSKI April 22 that played Pomperaug and have SPORTS WRITER them show up every day. When we Amy Clark glowered at her Newington 17 all show up, we win games.” team as they huddled on the Southington 9 On Monday, Newington built a ground after the loss. Her assistant 6-3 lead at the half but extended it coach was sharing his thoughts, but with an 11-5 surge after the break. Clark was just glaring. April 24 Against Simsbury, the Knights never Sure, Simsbury’s one of the better Southington 12 recovered from a 6-1 deficit in the teams in girls lacrosse, but Clark opening minutes. wasn’t upset about the loss. It was Pomperaug 10 On Wednesday, Southington the lack of effort that bothered her. fought from start to finish. The April 26 Knights fell behind, 3-0, but battled Lacrosse Simsbury 17 back to get the win. Carolynn Keal led the way with five goals and two Southington 6 assists, but Alexa Luponio added She blinked and the Knights were trailing, 3-0. Then, there was no fight left. Nobody was gasping for air at the end, and that’s the alarm. At 3-3 the Knights still control their own destiny, but Clark wants to do more than survive. She four goals and Ashley Mafale contributed a goal with three assists. Kim Wood had two goals and an assist, while Laurel Dean and Helen point that Clark was trying to make. points to a 12-10 win over Dinnan both notched assists. “We had them erase the first Pomperaug on Wednesday to show “They played as a team,” said two losses from their minds, but I what she means. Sandwiched Clark. “We went up. We tied. We kind of want them to remember this one,” she said. “I want it to feed the fire inside them. We have to play harder. We don’t have a choice. We’re coming into the most difficult part of our schedule, and if we play like this we aren’t going to win.” Ultimately, there’s no cause for between a lackluster, 17-9 loss to Newington and a 17-6 loss to Simsbury with running time in the second half was the perfect effort. “The team that played on Wednesday was not the same team that played Monday or today,” said Clark. “We have to find that team went down. We tied, and we went back up. It was definitely a hardfought game.” So Clark wants her team to mimic that win...but she doesn’t want them to forget the losses. Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. By JOHN GORALSKI SPORTS WRITER Will Lefkovich and Wyatt Lavoie danced across the doubles court, while their teammates watched helplessly from beyond the fence. On Monday, April 22, the Knights were deadlocked with Tolland, 3-3, and it all came down to Lefkovich and Lavoie. “They knew what was at stake. They knew we needed that game to win,” said Blue Knight tennis coach Tony Mauro. “I love tie breakers. I think that’s what it’s all about. I love when it comes down to that drama.” For three hours, they battled, losing the first tie breaker 7-3 before clinching the series and the meet with a 7-5 win in their third set tiebreaker. Southington won, 4-3. “They hung in there long enough to win,” said Mauro, “and it was great.” This week punctuated the uncertainty of Mauro’s young team. Southington swept past Platt, 5-2, and cruised past Rocky Hill, 6-1. The 4-3 win over Tolland was a battle for every point, but when it came to Wethersfield, the Knights were outmanned, 7-0. That’s what makes this team so puzzling to their Our Athletes coach. With so many upcoming games against teams at Wethersfield’s level, how will his young team respond? “I expect Wethersfield to go undefeated, so we knew we were in for a battle,” said the coach. “I think that the test will come next week. That’s the cross roads for us.” With a 3-1 week, the young Knights have improved to 5-4, but can they scratch out three more wins in the upcoming weeks? Mauro said that it could go either way. “I love this team regardless of what they do, but I’m puzzled,” said the coach. “I can see that this team has a lot of potential. Whether it's latent, whether it will come next year, I don't know yet. We might fall just a little short this year because of our experience, but we could be good.” Mauro said that his team’s effort has been great. Kunal Kataria lost all four last week at No. 1 singles, but the sophomore continues to grow into his role. Nate Mullins battled in every series at No. 2 singles but finished the week with just one win. Luke Pfanzelt finished the week 3-1, and Zaya Oshana went 2-2. That should help as the Knights try to scratch out three wins. Doubles has fared better, going 3-0 in all but the Wethersfield match. KEvin Wormer, Gary Beaumont, JOHN GORALSKI Lady Knight goalie Allie Abacherli scoops up a save during a loss to Simsbury. Abacherli had 46 saves in three games last week. Trying to find the right piece for the puzzle Boys Tennis April 22 Southington 4 Tolland 3 April 24 Wethersfield 7 Southington 0 April 25 Southington 5 Platt 2 April 26 Southington 6 Rocky Hill 1 SOUTHINGTON’S BEST ROOFER Grant Ogrin, Lefkovich, Lavoie, Alex Angelillo, James Hoder, and Chris Hupper have all shuffled in and out of the lineup. “The effort is outstanding, and I could never complain about that,” said Mauro. “My question is whether our team has matured enough to duke it out with those heavy hitters on our schedule. Right now, it’s puzzling.” Visit Our New Showroom! Tree Stump Grinding Roland Greenwood Phone: 860-485-6960 www.stumpthumpers.com N.J. ROMANIELLO Plumbing & Heating Residential Specialists No Job Too Small • FAUCETS • TOILETS • WATER HEATERS Professional, Quality Workmanship P1-00203341 860-620-0567 S3-0386413 • HANGING BASKETS • ANNUALS • SHRUBS • PERENNIALS • ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS Southington’s premier, CertainTeed “5-Star,” 50-year, FULL warranty system applicator Jim & Matthew Lasek CT Reg. #00532021 OUR (860) 621-5656 HONEST PRICING, NO GIMMICKS 55TH YEAR GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR MOM 421 Buckland Street, Plantsville, CT • 860-621-6506 Mon-Sat 7am-6pm; Sun 9am-5pm Find us on Facebook Hardwood & Laminate Flooring Carpet & Area Rugs Hardwood Floor Refinishing Ceramic & Porcelain Tile Vinyl Floors Countertops Quality Service You Can Stand On. 304 Murphy Road Hartford, CT 06114 860-727-0717 Free $ 150 Off total purchase of $1,000 or more ELITE FLOORING SPECIALISTS $ 100 Off refinishing your hardwood floors ELITE FLOORING SPECIALISTS 930 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke. Southington, CT 06479 860-426-9774 Estimates eliteflooringonline.com Email: sales@eliteflooringonline.com Min. 500 sq.ft.
Friday, May 3, 2013 The Step Saver/ The Observer To advertise, call (860) 628-9645 Our Athletes 39 Jim DiNello huddled with his team atop the hill at Hawks Landing’s final hole, and the reality was beginning to settle in. DiNello would probably have to wait another day for his 125th win. Dave Valentukonis finally posted a human score with his 44 strokes over nine holes to shatter a string of scores in the 30s, but his teammates rallied around him. Tom Fischer tied Farmington’s top scorer with a 1-under-par 35. Joe Fazzino and Eric Flood each posted 39s on the front nine, but the Knights still trailed. DiNello and his boys watched their final golfer approach the green, knowing it would take a miracle to break Farmington’s decade-long win streak over the Knights. Freshman duffer Andrew Szandrocha had something to say about that… “We knew that Andrew had to put up a good score for us to have a chance, and he did terrific,” DiNello said. “We were actually down a stroke going into the last hole when Andrew scored a 38 to make up our one stroke plus five to put us ahead. It was a nice team win, and it was a great score—151. As we like to say, ‘That’s a keeper.’” The victory was the first of the year for the Knights, Lic. # 514976 By JOHN GORALSKI SPORTS WRITER Golf AVALONE CONTRACTORS ROOFING SIDING REP. WINDOWS GUTTER ADDITIONS TOTAL REMODELING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR In business for a blessed 26 years (860) 582-0712 PO Box 9656, Bristol, CT Fully Ins. Worker’s Comp. & Liability Knights rally for 1st win Coach Jim DiNello earns 125th career victory “ I’m really proud of the kids. We’re still looking for five guys to post low scores, but this week was definitely a great step in the right direction. but it marked the 125th victory for DiNello over his 10 year career in varsity golf. At Berlin High School, DiNello’s teams scored four state championships and five league titles. DiNello said that the win over Farmington may have signaled a turning point for his up-and-coming Knights. Two days after knocking off Farmington on their home course, Southington scared Simsbury with another score in the 150s. On Thursday, Simsbury’s Walker Lohrey was medalist with a 3- under-par 33, but Southington came within six strokes of knocking off the state power. Valentukonis and Szandrocha scored 37s. “ Jim DiNello, SHS golf coach Fischer added a 38, and Flood capped the scoring with a 44. Southington lost, 156- 150, but DiNello was more interested in the final score. “I think we’re really close to turning a corner. I think that the kids have had really great attitudes, even after the 151 at Farmington,” he said. “Simsbury played tremendous golf, so my hat’s off to them, but we played excellent golf too. I’m really proud of the kids. We’re still looking for five guys to post low scores, but this week was definitely a great step in the right direction.” As for the 125th victory, DiNello said that it’s just a beginning. Wins won’t come as easily in the CCC West— one of the state’s toughest MIDSTATE PAVING ASPHALT DRIVEWAYS Owner Nick Williams 4th Generation Pavers Fully Insured License # 575852 203-238-1708 Meriden, CT 06450 April 23 Southington 151 Farmington 156 April 25 Simsbury 150 Southington 156 conferences—but the Knights are beginning to show signs that they’ve come to play. “It was great to get No. 125 with this bunch of kids because they are really great. It felt great to share it with the kids against a really good program like Farmington. That was super,” said the coach. “But I think that the sky’s the limit here. Our numbers have improved every year. Hawks Landing has done a terrific job of promoting our program and golf with youth. That’s going to help us tremendously.” And the Knights are currently undefeated at home. To comment on this story or to contact sports writer John Goralski, email him at jgoralski@ southingtonobserver.com. JOHN GORALSKI Joe Fazzino chips onto the green during a recent road match. The Knights earned two scores in the 150s last week. A HANDYMAN’S SERVICES, LLC A quality first contractor with over 25 years in construction who takes pride in his work. From New Home Building, Additions, Kitchens, Baths. To Seamless Gutters, Siding, Windows, Doors, Flooring, Interior Trim, Stairways, Decks, 3 Season Porches. For very reasonable prices and work done in a timely manner. Lic # 0625546 Beat any written quote by 5% Call Gary at 860.690.7278 Welcome DR. PATRICIA PINA Pediatric Specialist Accepting New Patients Age 1 to 21 se habla español 710 King Street, Bristol, CT 06010 Call for an Appointment Today! 860.583.TINY (8469) Visit us on the web: www.tinyteethct.com
Page 1 and 2: Volume 38, No.18 Southington’s on
Page 3 and 4: Friday, May 3, 2013 3 •Police Log
Page 5 and 6: Friday, May 3, 2013 The Step Saver/
Page 9 and 10: Friday, May 3, 2013 To advertise, c
Page 37: Friday, May 3, 2013 The Step Saver/

May 3, 2013 - Southingtonlibrary.org

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?