Page 12 Thursday, September 9, 2004 The Westfield Leader ...Perotta and Jessie Sapienza are expected...
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Page 12 Thursday, September 9, 2004 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION B ALESTRIERE, SAPIENZA, PER O TT A N AMED T O LEAD Raider Soccer Girls Return 9 Starters, Seek WC Crown By DAVID B. CORBIN Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times After last year’s showing, the map of New Jersey girls soccer hotspots now includes Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. The Raiders broke the top-20 several times, won the Watchung Conference (WC) title with an 8-0-2 record (de- feating Westfield early in the season and tying them once) and finished 13-3-3 overall. With only two starters hav- ing graduated, this season looks very promising. Senior Tri-Captains Jenna Balestriere (last year’s team leader in scoring), Lauren Perotta and Jessie Sapienza are expected to lead this still young but experienced squad to another fine season. “Those three will get a lot of playing time. Jen and Jessie. Playing both forward and halfback and Lauren being the outside marking back,” said Raider Head Coach Kevin Ewing. “We are going to expect a lot of scoring to come from Jenna. She’s a very fast, very strong athlete. She can play any position on the field, outside of goalie. Jesse also is very strong and fast. Getting Lauren back who got some good personal recognition last year, she’s probably, if not the best, she’s one of the best marking backs in the county. Having her back there is a definite asset.” Returning starters, juniors Kelly Rigano and Hallie Mintz will offer strength and experience in the midfield. Junior Allie Hambleton, “we plan on her controlling our center midfield. She’s probably one of the best players to come to Scotch Plains in a long time,” expressed Ewing. “She has great leg strength, great aware- ness of what to do with the ball and she under- stands the game.” Senior Carley Wells got a lot of time last year at fullback and junior Kristen Zyla will also add punch. Sophomore goalie Lauren Mains, who also plays basketball and softball, allowed only nine goals all sea- son in 19 games and posted 12 shutouts as a freshman. “I don’t know what sport is Lauren’s fa- vorite, but I have seen her in all three sports. She is an outstanding goalie. She’s greets the ball in the air, she’s aggressive, she’s not scared to go out and attack someone and she’s not afraid to dive for balls. She’s got great hands,” emphasized Ewing. Sophomore sweeper Allie Zazzali and Lauren Weisbroad will move from defense to midfield and Lisa Carmarda will add depth. “Our defense is going to be an- chored by Allie. She knows the game of soccer very well. She has great field awareness. She’s a leader out there and, as a sophomore, that’s say- ing a lot,” said Ewing. The local competition will be quite stiff with Westfield, Governor Livingston, Union Catholic, Cranford and Oak Knoll. Aiming at another very successful season, Ewing said, “We would like to go back and get another shot at winning the Watchung Conference. We have a good chance to do well in the counties, but there are a lot of good teams in the county this year. We would like to get to the sectional finals.” The Raiders open at Bayonne to- morrow at 4.p.m. GORDON , RAPHAEL, REISBERG RIP 3 HITS APIECE St. Kilian Dethrones St, Anne In St. Bart’s Title Game, 7-4 By DAVID B. CORBIN Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times First-year entry St. Kilian, winner of the Angel’s Division, dethroned returning champion and Saints Divi- sion champion St. Anne, 7-4, to lay claim to the Bartholomew’s Oldtimers Men’s Softball League title on Labor Day at Brookside Park in Scotch Plains. In the pres- ence of a surprise visit from U.S. Congressman Michael Ferguson, both teams exhibited strong de- fense, and it was only fitting that Kilian right-centerfielder Lou Balestriere snagged a difficult line drive with the tying run on first to preserve the victory and to mark his fourth-straight personal cham- pionship. Feeling the pressure, Balestriere commented, “I thought I was going to miss it.” After the game, teammate Stan Lisniewski, who won his sec- ond-straight championship, said, “I can’t beat Louie. He has four in a row.” Both pitchers, Kilian’s Howie Bialos and Anne’s Joe Matuska tossed well in the nine-inning classic, yielding 12 hits and 17 hits, respec- tively. Kilian’s John Gordon, Paul Raphael and Marc Reisberg each went 3-for-4 with Gordon rapping two singles and scoring twice. Raphael had an RBI, doubled and scored once and Reisberg skipped home twice. Bialos helped his own cause by thumping an RBI triple and singling. Rick Wustefeld went 2-for-3, in- cluding a double, and scored a run for St. Anne. Matuska doubled, scored once and lofted an RBI sacrifice fly and Tony Giannaci went 2-for-2 with a walk. Paul Naldony celebrated his 29th wedding anniversary by ham- mering a triple, scoring a run and knocking in a run. Prior to the game, St. Anne team captain Joe McEvoy, in his third- straight appearance, philosophically commented, “It’s nice to be here. It’s really doesn’t matter who wins, it’s whether you get here.” Using some psychology, as Kilian’s Rob Stratton stepped to the plate to begin the classic, Matuska, on the mound, said, “How are you doing today? Rob!” Stratton lined out to right and Matuska eventually got out of the in- ning unscathed. After Bialos matched Matuska’s performance in the first, Anne struck for two runs in the sec- ond. Raphael doubled and Reisberg dribbled an infield single, which drew a throw to first. Raphael alertly slipped around third and scored. Bialos fol- lowed with his RBI triple. With good fortune, Matuska looped a double over the fallen leftfielder’s head to start the Anne’s portion of the inning. Dan Margolis singled and Naldony hit an RBI sac fly. Kilian’s Gordon pulled off one of the most, gutsy doubles to start the fourth. Harry Semple followed with an RBI single to boost the lead to 3-1. Kilian then added two runs in the sixth. Gordon added his second double and scored when his hit slipped past the centerfielder. Semple reached on an error and scored on Raphael’s bouncing single. Kilian upped its lead to 6-1 in the eighth when Stratton, who reached on an error, scored on Al LaRezza’s single to left. Anne’s bats came to life with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Mike Stiller walked and Wustefeld legged out an infield single. Matuska hit an RBI sac fly and Bill D’Eustachio hopped an RBI single to center. Reisberg and Bialos both singled to start the ninth and Floyd Roberts hit an RBI sac fly to give Kilian a 7-3 lead. Naldony led off the bottom of the ninth with his anniversary triple. Giannaci walked and McEvoy tapped an RBI single to right. Jim Killeen popped up to catcher Mike Michalisin and Ken Larson popped up to short. Jack Ley beat out an infield single to load the bases and Steve Morano drilled his scary liner that was snagged by Balestriere. St. Kilian 020 102 011 7 St. Anne 010 000 021 4 David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times RAIDER TRI-CAPTAINS…Raider Head Coach Kevin Ewing stands behind his Tri-Captains Jesse Sapienza, left, Jenna Balestriere, center, and Lauren Perrotta. David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times IS HE SAFE OR OUT…St. Kilian’s Paul Raphael slides on his back at second base as St. Anne pitcher Joe Matuska approaches. Raphael was ruled out. David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times SCORING THE FOURTH RUN…John Gordon scores Kilian’s fourth run early in the sixth inning as Anne catcher Ron DelPrete awaits a throw. Goods & Services You Need! Corbin Consulting Expert Witness • Independent Review Due Diligence • Troubleshooting 908-232-4407 [email protected] 251 North Ave W. Westfield, NJ Engineering • uswca.com THS Travers Home Solutions L.L.C. WESTFIELD custom wiring - carpentry - repairs specializing in custom home theatre and audio installations consultation - advice - tech help [email protected] 908-472-6341 AUTO REPAIR ELM STREET SERVICE CENTER 138 Elm St • Westfield 908-232-1937 Complete Auto Repair Foreign & Domestic NJ State Inspection Auto Care Center • Emission Repair Facility • Tune-ups & Batteries • A/C Service • Tires & Brakes • Road Service K ean F looring Hardwood Floor SCRAPING - SANDING - REPAIRS REFINISHING - DECK CARE STAINING - INSTALLATION “Dust Free Sanding Equipment” TEL: (201) 955-1073 1-888-47-FLOOR
Transcript of Page 12 Thursday, September 9, 2004 The Westfield Leader ...Perotta and Jessie Sapienza are expected...
Page 12 Thursday, September 9, 2004 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION
BALESTRIERE, SAPIENZA, PEROTTA NAMED TO LEAD
Raider Soccer Girls Return 9Starters, Seek WC CrownBy DAVID B. CORBIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
After last year’s showing, the mapof New Jersey girls soccer hotspotsnow includes Scotch Plains-FanwoodHigh School. The Raiders broke thetop-20 several times, won theWatchung Conference (WC)title with an 8-0-2 record (de-feating Westfield early in theseason and tying them once)and finished 13-3-3 overall.With only two starters hav-ing graduated, this seasonlooks very promising.
Senior Tri-Captains JennaBalestriere (last year’s teamleader in scoring), LaurenPerotta and Jessie Sapienzaare expected to lead this stillyoung but experienced squadto another fine season.
“Those three will get a lotof playing time. Jen andJessie. Playing both forwardand halfback and Laurenbeing the outside markingback,” said Raider HeadCoach Kevin Ewing. “Weare going to expect a lot ofscoring to come from Jenna.She’s a very fast, very strong
athlete. She can play any position onthe field, outside of goalie. Jesse alsois very strong and fast. Getting Laurenback who got some good personalrecognition last year, she’s probably,if not the best, she’s one of the bestmarking backs in the county. Having
her back there is a definite asset.”Returning starters, juniors Kelly
Rigano and Hallie Mintz will offerstrength and experience in the midfield.Junior Allie Hambleton, “we plan onher controlling our center midfield.She’s probably one of the best players
to come to ScotchPlains in a long time,”expressed Ewing.“She has great legstrength, great aware-ness of what to do withthe ball and she under-stands the game.”
Senior Carley Wellsgot a lot of time lastyear at fullback andjunior Kristen Zylawill also add punch.Sophomore goalieLauren Mains, whoalso plays basketballand softball, allowedonly nine goals all sea-son in 19 games andposted 12 shutouts asa freshman.
“I don’t know whatsport is Lauren’s fa-vorite, but I have seenher in all three sports.She is an outstanding
goalie. She’s greets the ball in the air,she’s aggressive, she’s not scared togo out and attack someone and she’snot afraid to dive for balls. She’s gotgreat hands,” emphasized Ewing.
Sophomore sweeper Allie Zazzaliand Lauren Weisbroad will move fromdefense to midfield and LisaCarmarda will add depth.
“Our defense is going to be an-chored by Allie. She knows the gameof soccer very well. She has greatfield awareness. She’s a leader outthere and, as a sophomore, that’s say-ing a lot,” said Ewing.
The local competition will be quitestiff with Westfield, GovernorLivingston, Union Catholic, Cranfordand Oak Knoll. Aiming at anothervery successful season, Ewing said,“We would like to go back and getanother shot at winning the WatchungConference. We have a good chanceto do well in the counties, but thereare a lot of good teams in the countythis year. We would like to get to thesectional finals.”
The Raiders open at Bayonne to-morrow at 4.p.m.
GORDON, RAPHAEL, REISBERG RIP 3 HITS APIECE
St. Kilian Dethrones St, AnneIn St. Bart’s Title Game, 7-4
By DAVID B. CORBINSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
First-year entry St. Kilian, winnerof the Angel’s Division, dethronedreturning champion and Saints Divi-sion champion St. Anne, 7-4, to layclaim to the Bartholomew’sOldtimers Men’s Softball Leaguetitle on Labor Day at BrooksidePark in Scotch Plains. In the pres-ence of a surprise visit from U.S.Congressman Michael Ferguson,both teams exhibited strong de-fense, and it was only fitting thatKilian right-centerfielder LouBalestriere snagged a difficult linedrive with the tying run on first topreserve the victory and to markhis fourth-straight personal cham-pionship.
Feeling the pressure,Balestriere commented, “Ithought I was going to miss it.”
After the game, teammate StanLisniewski, who won his sec-ond-straight championship, said,“I can’t beat Louie. He has fourin a row.”
Both pitchers, Kilian’s HowieBialos and Anne’s Joe Matuskatossed well in the nine-inning classic,yielding 12 hits and 17 hits, respec-tively. Kilian’s John Gordon, PaulRaphael and Marc Reisberg each went3-for-4 with Gordon rapping twosingles and scoring twice. Raphaelhad an RBI, doubled and scored onceand Reisberg skipped home twice.Bialos helped his own cause bythumping an RBI triple and singling.
Rick Wustefeld went 2-for-3, in-cluding a double, and scored a run forSt. Anne. Matuska doubled, scoredonce and lofted an RBI sacrifice flyand Tony Giannaci went 2-for-2 witha walk. Paul Naldony celebrated his29th wedding anniversary by ham-mering a triple, scoring a run andknocking in a run.
Prior to the game, St. Anne teamcaptain Joe McEvoy, in his third-straight appearance, philosophicallycommented, “It’s nice to be here. It’sreally doesn’t matter who wins, it’swhether you get here.”
Using some psychology, as Kilian’sRob Stratton stepped to the plate tobegin the classic, Matuska, on themound, said, “How are you doingtoday? Rob!”
Stratton lined out to right and
Matuska eventually got out of the in-ning unscathed. After Bialos matchedMatuska’s performance in the first,Anne struck for two runs in the sec-ond. Raphael doubled and Reisbergdribbled an infield single, which drew
a throw to first. Raphael alertly slippedaround third and scored. Bialos fol-lowed with his RBI triple.
With good fortune, Matuska loopeda double over the fallen leftfielder’shead to start the Anne’s portion of theinning. Dan Margolis singled andNaldony hit an RBI sac fly.
Kilian’s Gordon pulled off one ofthe most, gutsy doubles to start thefourth. Harry Semple followed withan RBI single to boost the lead to 3-1.Kilian then added two runs in thesixth. Gordon added his second
double and scored when his hitslipped past the centerfielder.Semple reached on an error andscored on Raphael’s bouncingsingle.
Kilian upped its lead to 6-1 inthe eighth when Stratton, whoreached on an error, scored onAl LaRezza’s single to left.Anne’s bats came to life withtwo runs in the bottom of theinning. Mike Stiller walked andWustefeld legged out an infieldsingle. Matuska hit an RBI sacfly and Bill D’Eustachio hoppedan RBI single to center.
Reisberg and Bialos bothsingled to start the ninth andFloyd Roberts hit an RBI sac flyto give Kilian a 7-3 lead. Naldonyled off the bottom of the ninthwith his anniversary triple.Giannaci walked and McEvoytapped an RBI single to right.
Jim Killeen popped up to catcher MikeMichalisin and Ken Larson popped upto short. Jack Ley beat out an infieldsingle to load the bases and SteveMorano drilled his scary liner that wassnagged by Balestriere.
St. Kilian 020 102 011 7St. Anne 010 000 021 4
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesRAIDER TRI-CAPTAINS…Raider Head Coach Kevin Ewingstands behind his Tri-Captains Jesse Sapienza, left, JennaBalestriere, center, and Lauren Perrotta.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesIS HE SAFE OR OUT…St. Kilian’s Paul Raphaelslides on his back at second base as St. Anne pitcherJoe Matuska approaches. Raphael was ruled out.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The TimesSCORING THE FOURTH RUN…John Gordon scores Kilian’s fourth run earlyin the sixth inning as Anne catcher Ron DelPrete awaits a throw.
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