This week’s scores from Conard and Hall high school varsity competition, Oct. 30 – Nov. 6, 2014.
By Ronni Newton
The Conard girls cross country team with coach Leslie Hadra after the State Open on Oct. 31. Gwen Geisler, 3rd from left, qualified for New Englands. Photo credit: Linda Geisler
There has been a whirlwind of sports activity over the past week, and with the exception of football which still has three games remaining in the season, every single Hall and Conard varsity team qualified for post-season competition. That is definitely something to be proud of!
Although only the Conard field hockey team is still active in the team-based state championships, there was some incredible competition this past week.
In addition, the Hall boys cross country team will compete in the New England Championships on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Wickham Park in Manchester. Ari Klau, who finished 2nd in the State Open on Nov. 1, and Grant O’Connor, who was 13th, are definitely runners to watch in New Englands.
Conard sophomore Gwen Geisler qualified as individual to run in the New England Championships, with a 16th place finish in the State Open. Despite posting a faster aggregate time as a team in the State Open than last year when they qualified as a team for New Englands, the Conard girls finished 8th in the Open this year. “All the girls had either the ‘best’ race of their season or close to it. I am so proud!” said Conard girls cross country coach Leslie Hadra.
In girls diving competition, Conard senior Jackie Palermo placed 4th in 1-meter diving at the Class L competition on Nov. 5, and has qualified for the State Open on Nov. 15 at Yale. The Conard and Hall girls swimmers will compete in the Class L championships at SCSU on Nov. 12.
Hall senior Erin O’Brien takes a shot. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
In girls soccer, both Hall and Conard fell in the first round of Class LL competition in very hard-fought games. Click here for the story.
The Conard and Hall boys soccer teams both made it past the first round, but not without some intense overtime competition and, in Conard’s case, a game that was decided in penalty kicks. Click here for the story.
Unfortunately, both boys teams lost in the second round on Wednesday night. Hall, a no. 8 seed, hosted no. 9 Danbury and lost 1-0 in overtime when Danbury’s Jonathan Carvalheiro headed in a ball kicked by teammate Grimaldo DeSousa from the 45 yards out with less than five minutes left in the second overtime period.
Conard boys soccer traveled to Tunxis Mead to meet no. 4 seed Farmington, and lost 2-1 when Farmington’s Jared Edelson socred his second goal of the game with just 19.6 seconds left on the clock. Conard had tied the game just three minutes earlier on a goal by freshman Siggy Arnason.
Hall field hockey, seeded no. 6, hosted no. 11 Hamden on Wednesday, Nov. 5 in Class L first-round competition. The Warriors lost in triple overtime 1-0. No. 4 Conard defeated no. 13 Fairfield Warde 3-0 at home on Wednesday night, and will host no. 5 Cheshire on Friday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m.
Both Conard and Hall girls volleyball teams qualified for the post season this year – a tremendous achievement for the programs. Both also won first round Class LL competition, with no. 18 Hall defeating no. 15 West Haven 3-0 on Monday, Nov. 3, and no. 20 Conard defeating no. 13 New Milford 3-0 on Monday as well.
In second round action on Nov. 6, Hall fell to no. 2 seed Darien 3-0, and Conard lost to no. 4 Amity, 3-0.
If you are interested in supporting West Hartford’s high school sports programs, consider attending (or donating to) the War-Chiefs Sports Council Tailgate on Nov. 15 in the Town Hall Auditorium. Click here for details!
Scores for all sports are listed below. If you have details and/or photos from future contests, please forward them to Ronni Newton at [email protected].
Conard football lost to Glastonbury on Oct. 30. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conard field hockey:
Nov. 3 vs. Fairfield Warde, won 3-0
Hall field hockey:
Nov. 3 vs. Hamden, lost 0-1 (OT)
Conard boys soccer:
Nov. 3 vs. Fairfield Prep, tied 1-1 after OT, Conard won 5-3 on penalty kicks
Nov. 5 vs. Farmington, lost 1-2
Hall boys soccer:
Nov. 3 vs. Xavier, won 3-1 (OT)
Nov. 5 vs. Danbury, lost 0-1
Conard girls soccer:
Nov. 4 vs. Fairfield Warde, lost 0-1
Hall girls soccer:
Nov. 4 vs. Danbury, tied 0-0 after OT, lost 8-7 on penalty kicks
Conard football:
Oct. 30 vs. Glastonbury, lost 21-31
Hall football:
Oct. 30 vs. South Windsor, won 35-3
Conard girls volleyball:
Nov. 3 vs. New Milford, won 3-0
Nov. 6 vs. Amity, lost 0-3
Hall girls volleyball:
Nov. 3 vs. West Haven, won 3-0
Nov. 6 vs. Darien, lost 0-3
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