Wyvern Nation Sports Wraps – September 26, 2019

After the astounding win against Northwood Academy, the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team traveled to rival Cheshire Academy. It continued their winning streak, coming away with a 3-2 victory on Sept. 23. Cheshire players got off to a hot start, scoring the first goal within five minutes in the game. Still, after that point, the majority of the game was dominated by the Wyverns. Senior Captain Jackson Wolff ‘20 was able to beat the opposing Cat and lay off a beautiful pass to senior Benjamin Iozzo ‘20 who timed his run perfectly, allowing him to tap in the equalizing goal before the end of the first half. The next goal didn’t occur until the second half when Chesire was able to score off a placed cross. The Wyverns responded quickly as senior Brandon Stake ‘20 scored an absolute banger after a nice run. Wyvern boys were hungry to continue their winning streak.  After numerous attacks, Brio Aslan ‘22 scored the winning goal off a great assist from Stake who dribbled inside of the box and pass the ball. 

The Varsity Boys’ Soccer team Wyverns faced the extremely talented Northwood Academy under the lights at FSA and won 2-1 on Sept. 21. Playing five defenders in the back, along with three defensive midfielders, the Wyverns didn’t have many opportunities to go forward, but they made the most out of each one. Carter Meshanic ‘21 was able to gain control of the ball, bypassing multiple defenders before laying the ball off to sophomore Brio Aslan ‘22 who dribbled past the goalie before shooting the ball effortlessly into the goal, giving KO an early 1-0 lead. The Wyverns were able to maintain this lead for the majority of the game, in large part thanks to the exceptional play of senior goalie Tim Cotter ‘20 and senior goalie Nick Cannata ‘20. The Wyverns continues to work even harder and with five minutes left in regulation, sophomore Brio Aslan ’22 assisted a ball with his head to the Energizer Bunny, Colin Ruiz ‘21, sending a volley from just outside the box to the top right corner, past the goalie. All Wyverns worked hard for the entirety of the game. The team was able to hold off Northwood Academy’s advances at the end of the game, winning 2-1, defying all odds and emerging victorious under the lights and in front of many Wyvern fans and families.

The Varsity Girls’ Soccer team came away with a 1-2 loss against Williston Northampton on Sept. 21. With temperatures in the 80s, both teams battled the summer-like temperatures. Williston wasted no time getting on the board as a quick restart two minutes into the game put them up by one.  Despite the slow start, KO remained focus and patient in getting in behind Williston’s packed defense. Jamie Scarpantonio ‘20 and Catherine Daniels ‘21 combined to find Ely Alleyne ‘23 who buried the ball in the back of the net to tie things up at 1-1. Williston found more opportunities in the second half including a KO defensive lapse which resulted in Williston capitalizing on a breakaway with KO’s goalie. Still, KO kept playing hard until the very end, with Scarpantonio just missing the equalizer from a quick restart with one minute to go. KO, with a record of 1-2, looks to regroup over the course of next week before suiting up for another home game against Cheshire Academy.

The JV Girls’ Soccer won 6-0 vs. Williston Northampton on Sept. 21. Despite the heat and missing a few important players, the younger Wyverns stepped up and took charge. Hallie Braunstein ’23 opened the scoring seven minutes into the game and later added a second goal with six minutes left in the half. Tess Chapman ’23 added two goals in the second half and Natalia Correa ’22 added another two goals in the second half. Sloan Duvall ’21 was unstoppable running down the right flank and created many dangerous chances for her teammates as she recorded two assists in the game. Annabelle Jacobs ’23 put in a gritty effort in the defensive mid position filling in for a sick Amelia Levine ’20. Sattah Pouthakoun ’23, Noelle Wilkes ’23, Sophia Kaufman’20, and Regina Miller ’22 stayed organized in the back limiting Williston’s attack. Cai Kuivila ’20 and Epiphany LaBoys ’23 kept the shutout intact in the goal. 

The JV Boys’ Soccer team won 6-1 against Hamden Hall on Sept. 20. KO controlled the match in the midfield and retained possession of the ball for the majority of the game. Karstian Lang ’20 scored an early goal that gave the Wyverns the momentum they needed to push forward. Minutes later, Shrinath Narasimham ’22 scored a beautiful goal from an amazing cross Karstian Lang ’20. To close the first half, Ben Merrit ’21 and Will Berckemeyer ’22 both added goals to put the Wyverns up 4-0 at halftime. In the second half, James Ravalese ’20 and Carter Smith ’22 added their own goals to seal the game for the Wyverns. Defensively, the Wyverns played strong and only allowed one goal. Leading the backline were Yusuf Rashid ’20, Matt Maratollo ’20, Braden Flowers ’21, and James Ravalese ’20. 

On a beautiful Saturday morning on Sept. 21, the Middle School Boys A Soccer team opened their season with a 3-1 victory at home against Eaglebrook. Eaglebrook is a consistent opponent and this game was no different. The first half saw some good back and forth exchanges, and neither team was able to break through, with KO goalkeeper Finn Boyd ’24 keeping Eaglebrook off the scoreboard. Early in the second half, KO finally got on board with a terrific strike from midfielder Aayan Mapara ’25 from the edge of the 18-yard box. Shortly after, newcomer Scotty Cloud ’25 put KO up 2-0 with Nico Bromley ’25 and newcomer JJ Hurley ’24 assisting on the goal. Eaglebrook responded with a goal about 10 minutes later, cutting the lead in half. The next goal would be pivotal, and fortunately, it went our way as Cloud tallied his second goal of the game off assists from Boyd and Bromley. The game would finish 3-1, as KO’s second half goalie Alex Levin ’24 kept the ball out of the net the rest of the way. KO got strong defensive performances from three-year player Cole Banning ’24, Dom Trulio ’25, and JJ Hurley ’24. 

The JV Girls’ Soccer team defeated Hopkins on the road 4-1 on Sept 25. The Wyverns came out ready to play pressuring the Hilltoppers from the first whistle and dominating the play. Sophia Schultz ’21 got on the board eight minutes into the game scoring off a pass from Natalia Correa ’22 from the top of the box. Unfortunately, Hopkins evened the score midway through the half to even the score off a breakaway. Remy McCoy ’20 scored with nine minutes to put the Wyverns up 2-1. Tess Chapman ’23 scored her third goal of the season with 7:15 to go in the first half with assists going to Annabelle Jacobs ’23 and Sophia Schultz ’21 to end the half at 3-1. The second half allowed many young and inexperienced players opportunities to get on the field for chunks of time and the game had more of back and forth pace. Amelia Levine ’20 converted a pk 15 minutes into the half to put the Wyverns up 4-1. The defense, anchored by Sophia Kaufman ’20 held the Hilltoppers scoreless in the half along with Cai Kuivila ’20 and Epiphany LaBoy ’23 sharing time in the net. The JV girls are now 2-1 on the season.

On Wednesday afternoon (9/25), Boys’ Middle School A Soccer team hosted Williston on a perfect weather day for a soccer match and came away with a 4-1 win. Last year, both of our games vs. Williston were rained out, so it was great to have such a nice day to play. KO had the better of the play in the first half, with numerous scoring opportunities. However, we only converted on one of those, as Scotty Cloud ’25 had a nice finish to put KO on the board. The halftime score was 1-0, as KO goalie Finn Boyd ’24 handled each chance cleanly, and it was anyone’s game. Sure enough, Williston capitalized on their first scoring chance ten minutes into the second half with a terrific shot from 20 yds out into the top right corner. Williston then dominated play for the next five to 10 minutes, as KO was on its heels. Fortunately, KO responded with a goal off the foot of Nico Bromley ’25 assisted by JJ Hurley ’24 and Patrick O’Shaugnessy ’25. The next goal would be huge, and likely determine the outcome of the game. Fortunately, KO scored next as Finn Boyd ’24 tucked the ball past the Williston goalie to put KO ahead 3-1. Finally, Scotty Cloud ’25 capped the scoring with his second goal off another assist from JJ Hurley. Cole Banning ’24 anchored the defense all match, despite dealing with a knee injury. Newcomer Griffin O’Shaugnessy ’24 also played effectively in the back line, helping to keep Williston from scoring a second goal. KO is now 2-0 on the young season and travels to the always talented Foote team next Wednesday (Oct. 2).