2008 Fall Mid-season
Boys Soccer
A young boys soccer team, returning only two starters has jumped off to a surprising 9-4-1 start. The Raiders have successfully navigated through a difficult schedule, laden with top twenty teams, and currently have gone 6-0-1 in their last seven games. Through 14 games, they have outscored the opposition 27-8 with nine shutouts.
Junior Anthony Zukofsky has ably filled in at goalie for the graduated Brandon Reddington Juniors Joey D’Annunzio and Chris Freeman, the only two returning starters, have provided leadership and played numerous roles, solidifying the young defense and adding offensive punch.
The goals have come from new and sometimes unexpected sources. Junior Mike DelSordi has scored several key goals. Junior Brendan McEvoy exploded for four goals in one game. Sophomore Rory Szeto scored two goals in the first county game and angular Matt Greaney, a defensive player also scored twice in the county win. Junior Justin Brownstein scored two game winning goals early in the season.
Juniors Jason Pearl and Mike Henkels have also excelled defensively in their first season as starters. Veteran Coach Tom Breznitsky’s team has managed to win despite the loss of their most talented returning player, Johan Hernandez, who missed the entire season with a leg injury.
Football
A young team has struggled to an uncharacteristic 1-3 start. Steve Ciccotelli’s 2008 team once again features a strong running game led by the inside outside combination of senior tailback Anthony Taylor, who rushed for 169 yards and one touchdown in a victory over Newark East Side and fellow senior Marcus Green,who scored twice. Taylor also gained 139 yards in a loss to Irvington.
A young offensive line features seniors Ryan Brown and Mark Renfree, who have opened big holes on offense. Green has been all over the field on defensive and made 19 tackles in a loss to Irvington.
The team has a solid passing attack with junior Quarterback Gary Binkewicz tossing to wide receivers Adam Clark and Brian Bonacum.. Binkewicz has also been a dangerous runner on keeper plays and has been able to buy time with his scrambling ability.
Seniors Kenny Azard, and Mike Ferrara are other sterling defensive players.
Taylor, Green and Renfree were tri-captains.
Girls Soccer
The Girls soccer team has survived a difficult early schedule to move to their accustomed spot near the top of the county and conference, currently sporting a 10-2 mark. Kevin Ewing’s team has passed most of its tests so far, including an exciting 2-1 comeback victory over state ranked at Kearny.
Although the team had a potent offense, which has scored at least eight goals four times, it was a sterling defense that has been the team’s strength all season. Senior Goalie Jaclyn Law, the county’s best a year ago has nine shutouts and yielded five goals. Law has thrived by having talented senior Steph Glover as her sweeper and senior Tina Camarda and junior Delia McGee have also solidified the defense.
Senior Raychel Kruper,a four year starter, has adroitly controlled the midfield along with seniors Katie Cornacchia, and Jenna McGarry. Juniors Sarah Canfield and Corrine Walker have added speed to the midfield and sophomore Avika Shah has become the team’s most dangerous scorer. Freshman Sarah Van Buskirk
Gymnastics
The Scotch Plains Fanwood Gymnastics team is off to a fantastic start this fall season. Led by three all around juniors, Jessica Colineri, Gina Pelosi, and Lindsay Robinson, the team placed third at the annual Cougar Invitational Tournament. Gina Pelosi also placed third individually on vault at this tournament. Under the leadership of senior captains, Alison Lasher, Jennifer DiGiuseppe, and Kristen Spirko the team rallied to break a five year record high of 103.325 against Johnson. In addition to Coloneri, Pelosi, and Robinson, Senior Alison Lasher, Junior Victoria Shack, and Sophomore Tori Berman have qualified to compete in the State-Sectional Tournament. The future looks bright for the Lady Raiders as they prepare to compete in the Union County Tournament later this month.
Tennis
A young Girls’ Tennis team has made significant strides under first year coach
Gary Wasserman. The Raiders are currently 9-5, with most of their losses to teams ranked in the state’s top twenty.
Junior Alex Szczuka, has had a solid second season on first singles, fighting hard against the opposition’s top player. Sophomore Isabel Lopez has vaulted from second doubles to excel at second singles. Junior Neha Pannuri has moved up from first doubles to be a solid third singles player, finishing third in the county tournament.
Although they are playing together for the first time, senior Emily Katz and junior Lyndsey Douglas have been a winning combination on first doubles. The second doubles team of senior Julie Deutsch and sophomore Christina Reiman has also showed improvement.
Volleyball
Despite playing a challenging schedule, the Raiders were a competitive 6-4 under fourth year Coach Adrienne Stack. Included in their resume were the first victory over Westfield in seven years and upset of state ranked Newark East Side. Seniors Jillian Coffey, Kristin Betau, Laura Degnan, Nicole DeSando and Kim Shelius have all repeatedly showcased their leadership skills on the court. Their intense demeanor at the net present a formidable force. Junior defensive specialist, Becky Brand continues to make tough digs to help set up her teammates and middle hitter Kim Wenson fulfills numerous roles.
Currently, the team is looking for a high seed in the UCT and are in strong contention to be in the state tournament.
Boys Cross Country
Senior Martin Sweeney has stepped up to help compensate for the loss of outstanding seniors Patrick Doliber, Mike Ragan and Dan Sapienza. Sweeney has paced a deep and talented team to a 6-1 mark, losing only to Westfield. Three talented juniors Brian Walsh, Brandon Wheeler and Bobby Evans have backed up Sweeney, who became the first Raider since Brian Kopnicki to break 17 minutes at Holmdel.
Girls Cross Country
The team has survived the loss of a talented senior class to compile an 8-1 dual meet record, losing only to Westfield. Senior Brittney Veeck is once again the team’s top runner and one of the area’s best. Senior Emily Carow gives the team a strong 1-2 punch.
Sophomores Chana Biner and Laura Bruce have helped the team continue to win.
A young boys soccer team, returning only two starters has jumped off to a surprising 9-4-1 start. The Raiders have successfully navigated through a difficult schedule, laden with top twenty teams, and currently have gone 6-0-1 in their last seven games. Through 14 games, they have outscored the opposition 27-8 with nine shutouts.
Junior Anthony Zukofsky has ably filled in at goalie for the graduated Brandon Reddington Juniors Joey D’Annunzio and Chris Freeman, the only two returning starters, have provided leadership and played numerous roles, solidifying the young defense and adding offensive punch.
The goals have come from new and sometimes unexpected sources. Junior Mike DelSordi has scored several key goals. Junior Brendan McEvoy exploded for four goals in one game. Sophomore Rory Szeto scored two goals in the first county game and angular Matt Greaney, a defensive player also scored twice in the county win. Junior Justin Brownstein scored two game winning goals early in the season.
Juniors Jason Pearl and Mike Henkels have also excelled defensively in their first season as starters. Veteran Coach Tom Breznitsky’s team has managed to win despite the loss of their most talented returning player, Johan Hernandez, who missed the entire season with a leg injury.
Football
A young team has struggled to an uncharacteristic 1-3 start. Steve Ciccotelli’s 2008 team once again features a strong running game led by the inside outside combination of senior tailback Anthony Taylor, who rushed for 169 yards and one touchdown in a victory over Newark East Side and fellow senior Marcus Green,who scored twice. Taylor also gained 139 yards in a loss to Irvington.
A young offensive line features seniors Ryan Brown and Mark Renfree, who have opened big holes on offense. Green has been all over the field on defensive and made 19 tackles in a loss to Irvington.
The team has a solid passing attack with junior Quarterback Gary Binkewicz tossing to wide receivers Adam Clark and Brian Bonacum.. Binkewicz has also been a dangerous runner on keeper plays and has been able to buy time with his scrambling ability.
Seniors Kenny Azard, and Mike Ferrara are other sterling defensive players.
Taylor, Green and Renfree were tri-captains.
Girls Soccer
The Girls soccer team has survived a difficult early schedule to move to their accustomed spot near the top of the county and conference, currently sporting a 10-2 mark. Kevin Ewing’s team has passed most of its tests so far, including an exciting 2-1 comeback victory over state ranked at Kearny.
Although the team had a potent offense, which has scored at least eight goals four times, it was a sterling defense that has been the team’s strength all season. Senior Goalie Jaclyn Law, the county’s best a year ago has nine shutouts and yielded five goals. Law has thrived by having talented senior Steph Glover as her sweeper and senior Tina Camarda and junior Delia McGee have also solidified the defense.
Senior Raychel Kruper,a four year starter, has adroitly controlled the midfield along with seniors Katie Cornacchia, and Jenna McGarry. Juniors Sarah Canfield and Corrine Walker have added speed to the midfield and sophomore Avika Shah has become the team’s most dangerous scorer. Freshman Sarah Van Buskirk
Gymnastics
The Scotch Plains Fanwood Gymnastics team is off to a fantastic start this fall season. Led by three all around juniors, Jessica Colineri, Gina Pelosi, and Lindsay Robinson, the team placed third at the annual Cougar Invitational Tournament. Gina Pelosi also placed third individually on vault at this tournament. Under the leadership of senior captains, Alison Lasher, Jennifer DiGiuseppe, and Kristen Spirko the team rallied to break a five year record high of 103.325 against Johnson. In addition to Coloneri, Pelosi, and Robinson, Senior Alison Lasher, Junior Victoria Shack, and Sophomore Tori Berman have qualified to compete in the State-Sectional Tournament. The future looks bright for the Lady Raiders as they prepare to compete in the Union County Tournament later this month.
Tennis
A young Girls’ Tennis team has made significant strides under first year coach
Gary Wasserman. The Raiders are currently 9-5, with most of their losses to teams ranked in the state’s top twenty.
Junior Alex Szczuka, has had a solid second season on first singles, fighting hard against the opposition’s top player. Sophomore Isabel Lopez has vaulted from second doubles to excel at second singles. Junior Neha Pannuri has moved up from first doubles to be a solid third singles player, finishing third in the county tournament.
Although they are playing together for the first time, senior Emily Katz and junior Lyndsey Douglas have been a winning combination on first doubles. The second doubles team of senior Julie Deutsch and sophomore Christina Reiman has also showed improvement.
Volleyball
Despite playing a challenging schedule, the Raiders were a competitive 6-4 under fourth year Coach Adrienne Stack. Included in their resume were the first victory over Westfield in seven years and upset of state ranked Newark East Side. Seniors Jillian Coffey, Kristin Betau, Laura Degnan, Nicole DeSando and Kim Shelius have all repeatedly showcased their leadership skills on the court. Their intense demeanor at the net present a formidable force. Junior defensive specialist, Becky Brand continues to make tough digs to help set up her teammates and middle hitter Kim Wenson fulfills numerous roles.
Currently, the team is looking for a high seed in the UCT and are in strong contention to be in the state tournament.
Boys Cross Country
Senior Martin Sweeney has stepped up to help compensate for the loss of outstanding seniors Patrick Doliber, Mike Ragan and Dan Sapienza. Sweeney has paced a deep and talented team to a 6-1 mark, losing only to Westfield. Three talented juniors Brian Walsh, Brandon Wheeler and Bobby Evans have backed up Sweeney, who became the first Raider since Brian Kopnicki to break 17 minutes at Holmdel.
Girls Cross Country
The team has survived the loss of a talented senior class to compile an 8-1 dual meet record, losing only to Westfield. Senior Brittney Veeck is once again the team’s top runner and one of the area’s best. Senior Emily Carow gives the team a strong 1-2 punch.
Sophomores Chana Biner and Laura Bruce have helped the team continue to win.
Labels: D'Annunzio
posted by David Lazarus at 8:09 AM
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