Varsity Girls Field Hockey Defeats Greenwich in Semi-Finals

Natalie Vasileff

The FCIAC Semi-Finals proved to be successful for the hardworking players of the Varsity Girls Field Hockey team. The team has been preparing for this huge win and is has finally reached the finals! Darien High School started off strong by scoring three goals within the first half. All goals were scored by senior Shea van den Broek, captain of the team.

Greenwich tried to flush out DHS, but only managed to score two goals. The girls were able to hold off all attempts caused by the opposing team, leading the team to the triumphant win.

The team celebrates after a goal. Courtesy of DAF.

“We were all really excited for this game and the players on the field let that fuel them. There was one focus for that game and it was to win,” says junior Tess Keating.

Thanks to this success, we have hope that our girls will be victorious in the upcoming finals! Make sure to go support the girls in their last game against Staples this Thursday at Brien McMahon at 7 p.m.!

XC Girls Make a Great Lead in States

Kate Dempsey

On Friday, October 26th, the Girls Cross Country team ran at CIAC State Class L Meet at Wickham Park. The runners picked for the state meet were the top 7 best on the team. The race, which was early in the morning at 9:45 a.m., meant that the runners were excused for the whole day in order to attend the race.

The team has seen a significant amount of freshman this year who have started off at the varsity level. First being Mairead Clas who came in sixth place in the FCIACS. The team overall has seen a great season, finishing second in the East Division, only loosing to New Canaan.

“We are super happy with the way we were able to finish this season not only in our individual races but as a team score as well,” says senior Penn Boucher.

The team hopes to qualify for the CIAC State Open at Wickham Park on November 1st, and if they do well there they can expect to go to the New England Meet in New Hampshire on November 10th.

The Girls Cross Country team on Homecoming Day wearing Toy Story inspired outfits. Courtesy DAF

Girls Soccer Take a Loss to the Rams

Alix Platt

The Darien Girls Varsity Soccer sadly lost to the ultimate rivals, New Canaan. The team had a great season so far. However, this streak of glory did not transition into the game at New Canaan High School. After beating the number one seed, Staples, during the quarter finals, the girls sadly lost to New Canaan. They lost to the Rams 5-0.

"It was a huge bummer considering we beat Staples. Definitely sad for us," says senior Lauren Sulger.

Senior Eilanna Dolan Throwing in the Ball (Courtesy DAF) 

Girls JV Season At An End: Varsity to Advance to Postseason

Megan Streeter

Girls Varsity Soccer took home a 5-1 win against Norwalk High School on Monday, a refreshing improvement after their recent string of losses. The girls JV team also took home a win, completing their season on a high note. Junior Brianna Lyons praised the JV team, saying, “We passed the ball quite well, and our shots were on target.” While the Varsity team is moving on into postseason, it’s time for the JV girls to hang up the towel. “I will miss this team a lot”, says Lyons.

JV team spirit, courtesy of DAF

Tune in Thursday to see the Varsity team play Staples, and track their process here or via the Darien Athletic Association.

Varsity Field Hockey- Senior Day Win Against Ridgefield

Tess Keating

On Friday, October 19th, the varsity field hockey team had their senior day game against Ridgefield on the DHS stadium. As it was their last home game for the regular season, senior day was celebrated. All the seniors received a bouquet of flowers just before the game began. Ridgefield put up a good fight, but Darien were able to come out on top with a 2-0 win.

Courtesy DAF

The teams came out strong and were battling it out. Both defensive lines were being pressured. 12 minutes in to the first half the first goal was scored by junior Molly Hellmen. 15 minutes in to the second half senior Shea van den Broek scored the second goal. Darien held off the Ridgefield offense well, never allowing any goals to be scored.

“I think coming off the Wilton win was huge for us, and it helped to spark our offense at the perfect time as we go into post season” says Hellmen. Senior day wasn’t the only thing being celebrated!

Come support the girls in their next game on Friday, October 22. This will be the FCIAC quarterfinals, and it will be on the DHS stadium at 3:30.

Darien Boys Soccer Defeats New Cannan Rams

Liliana Cullen

On Wednesday October 10, Varsity Boys Soccer took on the New Canaan Rams. With a 2-1 feat, the team now stands at 6 in the FCIAC, and 16 in the state. This game was the team’s 7th win of the season, with only 3 losses and 3 ties. “The New Canaan game went well, starters moved the ball quickly and created tons of chances. We had a lot of strength coming off the bench and put in a good overall performance. The team had a few tough games but I firmly believe that we are going to end the season strong, while surprising people in the postseason” said Siddhant Parwal when asked about the game. Their next game is on October 13 at 2:00 against Staples. Their final home game is October 18 against Westhill at 5:00 pm.

Courtesy of Darien Times and Darien Athletic Foundation

Darien Girl's Soccer vs. Staples

Eva Criscuolo

On Friday, October 5th, the Darien High School Girls Soccer team played a home game against Staples. Unfortunately they lost the game with a score of 2-0. Player Kaitlyn Popson explained, “the first half of the game our team was unorganized and let in both goals after half we really rallied, worked together, and controlled the ball”. Eliza Spain acted as an incredible goalie, putting in an immense amount of effort in defending the teams goal. Charlotte Sulger stood out, playing forward for the first time alongside fellow teammate Lizzy Barber. Katie Stevens, Joen Echelon, and Lexi Lyons held down an incredible defense.

The game may come off to a rough start, but the girls hard work, and team effort kicked in the second half. They are looking forward to next Friday's home game against St. Joe’s, and rallying together,once again, to hopefully submerge triumphant.

Player Emma Williams tries to get the ball away from opposing team.

(DAF)

Next Game: Friday, October 19th      Location: Darien High School Opponent: St. Joe’s

Blue Wave Volleyball Defeats Ridgefield High

Megan Streeter

Darien High School’s varsity Volleyball team beat Ridgefield High 3-0 in their home game last night on Friday, October 5. Darien beat Ridgefield in three sets, an incredibly successful game that served to raise the spirits of Darien’s athletes and spectators alike. Junior Rosali Pirone referred to it as, “our best game yet.” The confidence and trust the teammates had in each other was apparent throughout the game.

Courtesy DAF

“It was all because we trusted each other and had each other’s backs,” said Pirone, “Last night’s game showed us that there are bigger and better things to come down the road.” Show us it did! More than halfway through their scheduled games for the season, the Blue Wave Volleyball team is currently ranked 2 in the East division. Make sure to turn out for their next home game against Newtown on Monday, October 8.

BWXC Almost Takes a Win

Nina Rodriguez

On October 5, Darien Girls’ Cross Country earned second place with a total of 58 points, for the 4000 meter (2.5 miles) Varsity race at Waveny Park in New Canaan. New Canaan earned 1st with 33 points, Fairfield Warde got 3rd place with 64 points, and Wilton in 4th place with 67 points.

Junior Mia Sparks and seniors Amalia Madariaga and Penn Boucher at FCIAC in 2016. Courtesy of Darien Athletic Foundation 

Due to the heavy rain on Tuesday, the field was full of mud and the woods had many puddles, leading to damp socks and muddy legs. Despite this, it was perfect running weather, with the sun shining and the ideal temperature. There was support from parents, leading to motivated runners.

DHS freshman, Mairead Clas, earned 1st place, with a time of 16:04. Seniors, Penn Boucher and Sophie Hill, earned times of 16:50 and 17:15. Other notable DHS runners are senior Amalia Madariaga and junior Noelle Kennedy.

The next meet is October 9th at Staples. If Fairfield Ludlowe beats New Canaan, then BWXC has a three way tie for FCIAC Eastern Division championship. Wishing the team the best of luck!

Varsity Field Hockey Defeats The Cardinals

Tess Keating

On Thursday, October 4th, the varsity field hockey team had a game against the Greenwich Cardinals on the DHS stadium. Right as the game started, the weather went south, and it began to rain. Helpful to cool off the players, but making the turf a slippery surface. Fortunately, the girls were able to make the most of the foul whether and still defeat the Cardinals.

Darien came out strong from the start and began to put the pressure on the Greenwich defenders. Only 3 minutes into the game Shea van den Broek (senior, captain) got the Blue Wave’s first goal. At this point the rain began to pick up but that didn’t stop the intensity. Later in the game, 15 minutes in, Darien scored again- Bridget Mahoney (senior, captain)  with the goal and Daphne Cutler (senior, captain) with the assist. 2 minutes later Katie Elders (senior, captain) was able to take a penalty stroke and she scored. 5 minutes later Elders got to take another stroke and she scored again, making the score 4-0 after 23 minutes. With 5 minutes left in the first half Mahoney scored again. After these 5 goals Greenwich was motivated and able to get a goal with one minute left in the first half.

After both teams got to rest at half time they came back on the field with the same intensity as before. Darien was able to score 2 more goals in the second half, and Greenwich scored none. The first scored was set up perfectly by Catie Duggan (junior) and shot in by van den Broek. The 7th and final goal was scored by Molly Hellmen (junior) and Bridget Mahoney had the assist.

“Offensively we clicked really well with passing and scoring, and the defensive unit played well stepping up and stopping rushes” says van den Broek.

Come support the girls in their next game vs New Canaan on the stadium at 4 on October 8th!

Courtesy of DAF

Blue Wave Cross Country vs. Trumbull and Stamford

Kate Dempsey

On Thursday, the Darien Girls Cross Country team ran at Todd’s Point located in Greenwich after originally planning on running in Trumbull. The day’s conditions were idealistic for the team (no sun and slightly chilly) which helped their chances at securing a win against the other competitors.

The race saw new changes to the course, adding in a new element to the results. The Girls Varsity course was extended to 3 miles with an elimination of a part of the course that went over sand, and the Girls JV race course also eliminated the sand part.

“I think the majority are working really well, I think that there are definitely individuals who have more potential.” Senior Nina Rodriguez said. “Overall, I think that varsity did really well yesterday and many JV runners had an amazing performance as well.”

The winner of the girls JV race was, well um, me (kind of by accident though because I had been sick for a week and needed to gradually get back to the Varsity level). The Girls Varsity race also saw an amazing performance by Mairead Clas, who came in third place with a time of 19:26:17.

Courtesey DAF

The Girls Cross Country’s next race will be on Tuesday, October 2nd, at New Canaan at 4:15 p.m. where they will be going against Wilton and Fairfield Warde.

The Girls Cross Country team is off to a great start with amazing performances by Mairead Clas, and with a few more meets coming up they will be well ready for FCIACS on October 14th.

Blue Waves Defeat the Tiger

Liliana Cullen

On September 24, Darien’s Girls Swim team raced against the aggressive, competitive Ridgefield. The Blue Wave scored 88 points, but it was not enough to beat Ridgefield’s 98. As of September 17, Darien’s record was 2-0, making this meet the first loss of the season. Captain Lauren Picard says, “I thought the meet went really well, aside from the fact that we lost. But, it was a great meet despite the the actual outcome score wise because there were a lot of best times. Everyone was pushing everyone.” Other captains Kelsey Vrooman and Rachel Stobbie weighed in on the meet as well. Vrooman said, “They were really tough competition, but I’m really proud of my team and what we have to look forward to”. Stobbie added, “We swam our hardest, but I am really proud of the whole team for rising up to the occasion.” Their next home meet is Wednesday October 10 against Darien’s rivals, the New Canaan Rams.

Courtsey DAF

Girls Varsity Volleyball Triumphs Over Danbury

Natalie Vasileff

The Darien High School Varsity Girls Volleyball team faced off a very successful game against Danbury on Friday, September 28. The girls were set and ready for a winning match, going in with positive mindsets and prepared attitudes. The team is hoping to be in the polls on Ruden Report team of the week as the girls have won all of their games in the past week. So far, this season is truly looking to be a sensational one for the team!

The team beat Danbury in three sets, supporting a strong lead in most of the sets throughout the whole game. Team captain senior Lindsey Bennett was racking up kills, gaining points and heading for the big win. Senior Cristina Escajadillo, another team captain, was racking up assist while the whole team helped out with aces and service points. The huge team effort resulted in a cool and collected game with the enthusiasm of the team showing strongly. The team began to get worried when Danbury gained momentum and became less sloppy in the second set, seemingly leading to a close score. However, the girls pulled through and made a strong comeback, taking them back into the lead.

“It was 100% a team win, we had a calm and confident energy throughout the match” said junior Rosali Pirone. We never let them get on too many runs which is good because it means that our passing stayed consistent and we didn’t get frazzled when things didn’t go our way.” Make sure to go support the girls at their away game at Stamford on Monday!

Junior Rosali Pirone and senior Cristina Escajadillo congratulate each other on scoring points after a rally. (Courtesy of DAF)

Darien vs. Wilton

Eva Criscuolo

On September 26th, the Darien Girls’ Soccer team faced off against Wilton in a challenging game. Freshmen, Jacqueline Calihan took a strong lead in the game, taking a number of extraordinary kicks. Junior player, Brianna Lyons, professed, “the team maintained a strong and fierce morale when valiantly facing against our opponents. Unfortunately, the team did not emerge the winner, we tied, but we played a good game, and I am sure we will do better in future games”.

The team overall provided a strong effort. Although they did not manage to win, they did indeed tie, which has fueled their desire to work even harder in the future.