Darien Soccer Mid Season Review

By Felix Rooney
The Blue Wave soccer team has had a decent start to the season with 3 wins, 3 ties, and 2 losses. The beginning of the season has seen them face some of the tougher opponents on the year in teams like Danbury and Fairfield Ludlowe. The team’s record should continue to improve as they move on to the easier part of their schedule.

Captains Hunter Kooyman and Jack Kniffin as well as Sean Edgar and Kevin Klarer currently lead the team in goals with 2 each. Captain Andrew Matthew also has a goal of his own off of a free kick. Liam Rischmann is having an excellent start to his season putting together 2 shutouts so far.

Army Noonan, a former Darien player turned track star had no comment on the season, but one can only think that like everyone else in the school, he is excited to see what the future holds for this promising program, perhaps a FCIAC/state championship.

Senior captain Jack Kniffin looks to beat the defender (Courtesy DAF)

Darien Soars Past Greenwich

          The Blue Wave took on the Greenwich Cardinals this past Saturday in one of the more talked about games of the season. Going into the game Greenwich was ranked number four in the FCIAC, while Darien was ranked number two. The Blue Wave started off strong with two running touchdowns by senior running back Shelby Grant. The Cardinals were able to counter midway through the first quarter with a long pass followed by a 15 yard rushing touchdown to cut Darien's lead to 14-7. Senior Christian Trifone was quickly able to extend the Wave's lead with a 20 yard touchdown run. Greenwich was able to muster one more touchdown before the Wave defense shut them down for the remainder of the game. By halftime the Blue Wave held a commanding 31-14 lead. 

          Darien came out strong early in the second half, putting the game away by the fourth quarter . Grant finished the day with a school-record six touchdowns and rushed for over 170 yards on 19 carries. On the other side of the ball senior Mark Evanchick had an impressive five and a half sacks, putting him within ten sacks of the state record. This was a solid test for a strong Darien team as they look to repeat what they did last year and more. The team is heading into a bye week before they take on St. Joes. 

Senior Shelby Grant looks ahead to his 6th touchdown of the game (Courtesy DAF)

Darien Rolls over Stamford in Football Opener

The Darien Football team defeated the Stamford Black Knights 47-14 on Friday night in the teams season opener. It was over early, as Darien led 47-0 at halftime, and left it to the JV players to finish the game. The team was led by returning senior Quarterback Tim Graham, who completed 17 of 20 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns. Graham's favorite target, senior Colin Minicus, was in attendance as well Friday night, catching three passes for 40 yards and three touchdowns. Fellow senior Rock Stewart led the team in receiving yards, catching three balls for a total of 60 yards on the night.

Defensively, seniors Mark Evanchick and Mark Schmidt led the team with tackles with both having five a piece. Evanchick picked up right where he left off last year, grabbing three sacks, moving him 14 shy of Dwight Freeney's state record for a career. The team also totaled four interceptions, with those coming from seniors Hudson Hamill and Bobby Trifone, junior Matt Maignan, and sophomore Brian Minicus.

The team now turns its attention to Greenwich, who the team plays Saturday at 4pm in Greenwich.

Senior Tim Graham rolling out for a pass on Friday night.

 

Darien Football Trumps Trinity

By Cord Fox  
On Thursday, September 10, Darien took on Trinity Catholic in their final scrimmage of the preseason. Three plays into the game Darien was on the board after Shelby Grant broke a 50 yard run. The offense showed its dominance establishing a solid run game and an even better passing game. Senior Timmy Graham had a great game with three touchdown passes while senior Colin Minicus, the number one receiver for Darien caught two. Senior Rock Stewart, who has had a strong preseason, also contributed with a touchdown early in the game. Darien was also dominant on the other side of the ball as well. Senior and sack leader, Mark Evanchick, proved his superiority from the beginning racking up three sacks. Senior Mark Schmidt also had a phenomenal game at outside linebacker tallying over ten tackles. Darien was able to shut out Trinity in the first three quarters, before the JV team let up a touchdown late in the game.

Darien opens against Stamford at Boyle Stadium on Friday, September 18th. After being named the number one team in the state (in the preseason), they look forward to a promising season.

Mark Schmidt downs a punt against Trinity on Thursday

Every Fall Sports Teams Opener

With fall upon us, Neirad gives you every fall sports teams opening game. Let the games begin.

September 18th - Darien Football @ Stamford (6pm)

September 8th - Darien Boys Soccer @ Brien McMahon (7pm)

September 12th - Darien Girls Soccer vs. Brien McMahon (2pm)

September 16th - Darien Girls Volleyball @ Newtown (6pm)

September 11th - Darien Girls Field Hockey vs. Danbury (4pm)

September 15th - Darien Cross Country @ Fairfield Ludlowe (4pm)

September 11th - Darien Girls Swim & Dive vs. Trumbull (3pm)

Seniors Spencer Stovall (left) and Mark Evanchick are ready for the 2015 football season.