THE HOME OF WEST HAVEN SPORTS


Westies drop Finale
Hand posts 17-6 win over WH
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 20, 2015) -
 Looking to send the seniors out in style, the West Haven girls lacrosse team was unable to do so. Despite jumping on the scoreboard early, the Westies were thoroughly defeated by Hand, 17-6, Wednesday evening on Senior Night at Ken Strong Stadium. 












The West Haven seniors and their families against Hand, May 20, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Hand countered West Haven's early goals, taking an 8-4 lead to the half. The Tigers held a 9-2 advantage in the second half to take control of the contest.
Cailynn Joyner and Gabi Prisco each scored twice for the Westies, while Danielle Bertolini and Amanda DiLeonardo each scored once. 

















Alex Young (23) and Danielle Bertolini (19) played their last game at West Haven High against Hand, May 20, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Lauren Cole led Hand with seven goals and one assist, and Cameron Ruberti had four goals and two assists. 
Nina Casalaina stopped 11 of 28 shots in the loss for West Haven. 

Westies fall to Shelton
Three goals by Dileonardo not enough in loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 18, 2015) -
 The West Haven girls lacrosse team jumped out to a quick three-goal lead Monday evening against Shelton, but it was not enough as the Gaels rallied and held on for an 11-9 victory at Ken Strong Stadium. 

















West Haven celebrates a goal against Shelton, May 18, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Despite scoring the first three goals of the game, West Haven trailed at the half as Shelton scored the last seven for a 7-3 advantage. The Westies got within 11-9 in the final minutes of the game, but did not have enough time to make the comeback. Amanda Dileonardo led the Westies with three goals. Ashley Dalton and Gabi Prisco each scored twice, and Mary McDaniel and Danielle Bertolini each scored once. Prisco, Alex Young, McDaniel, and Bertolini also added an assist, and Cailynn Joyner had two assists. 

Sheehan slips by Westies
WH falls to 5-9 with 14-13 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 14, 2015) -
 The West Haven girls lacrosse team battled, but came up short Thursday evening in Wallingford. Despite four goals from Danielle Bertolini and three more from Gabi Prisco, the Westies were defeated by the Titans, 14-13, at Sheehan High. 

















Gabi Prisco, seen here earlier in the season, scored three times for a team-leading 33 goals, but the Westies fell to Sheehan, May 14, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The loss, which saw the Westies fall to 5-9, also had Ashley Dalton, Amanda Dileonardo and Mary McDaniel scoring two goals apiece. 
The game started in fine fashion for the Westies as they scored 10 goals in the first half and led by four at the intermission. The second half was a different story as the Westies were outscored 8-3 in the loss. 

















Amanda Dileonardo (17), seen here earlier in the year, scored twice, but the Westies fell to Sheehan, May 14, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 
Sheehan's Abbie Jagoda led the comeback as she finished with four goals, while Natalie Giacondino and Briana Petrucelli each scored three times. 
Cassie Dugay made seven saves in the win for Sheehan, while Nina Casalaina made four saves in the loss for West Haven. 

Westies defeat Law
McDaniel leads way in 10-7 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 12, 2015) -
 Mary McDaniel scored three times as the West Haven girls lacrosse team posted a 10-7 victory over Jonathan Law in West Haven Tuesday evening. The win was West Haven's second over Law this season and helped the Westies improve to 5-8 on the season.

















The West Haven girls lacrosse team posted a 10-7 win against Jonathan Law, May 12, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies took control of the contest in the first half as they scored seven times and led by four at the half. In a closely played second half, Law owned the advantage in goals scored, but the advantage was not enough to catch the Westies. 
Amanda Dileonardo and Alex Young each scored twice with Dileonardo also picking up an assist. Danielle Bertolini, Gabi Prisco and Ashley Dalton each scored once.
Prisco also added two assists as she increased her team lead in goals to 30 and points with 39. 
Nina Casalaina made 11 saves in West Haven's fifth victory of the year to complete the sweep of the Milford school. 

Westies fall to Mercy
Loss drops WH to 4-8
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 11, 2015) - 
The West Haven girls lacrosse team fell to Mercy 16-5 Monday evening at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven. The Westies watched as Mercy scored early and often, taking a 9-2 lead to the half and cruising to the win. 
West Haven could not stop Casey Nelson and Emma Bonnassar as each scored five times. Danielle Richardson added four goals and five assists, while Bonnassar had two assists and and Nelson had one. 

















Blair Ludoviconi (9) against Mercy, May 11, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Tigers outscored the Westies 7-3 in the second half and were never in trouble in the contest. 
Amanda Dileonardo led the Westies with two goals, while Gabi Prisco added a goal and an assist. Danielle Bertolini and Cailynn Joyner each scored once in the loss. 
Jill Moran made 11 saves in the loss for West Haven. 

On Fire
Prisco, Dileonardo continue torrid scoring in 21-10 win over Lyman Hall
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 7, 2015) -
 West Haven junior Amanda Dileonardo and sophomore Gabi Prisco continued their scoring ways as the girls lacrosse team defeated Lyman Hall, 21-10, Thursday evening at Ken Strong Stadium. West Haven's second straight win allowed the Westies to improve to 4-7 on the year. 

















Amanda Dileonardo (17), seen here against Branford, scored five times against Lyman Hall in a West Haven win, May 7, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Dileonardo has scored in three straight games, while Prisco has scored in every game this season for the Westies, increasing her team-leading total to 28.

















Gabi Prisco (r.), seen here against Branford, scored five times against Lyman Hall in a West Haven win, May 7, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
West Haven led just 8-4 at the half, but pulled away with 13 goals in the second half. 
Prisco and Dileonardo each scored five times with Prisco also adding two assists and Dileonardo one helper. Danielle Bertolini had three goals and one assist, Ashley Dalton and Mary McDaniel each scored twice, while Alex Young, Amani Cayo, Madisyn Crotta and Jill Moran each scored once. 

















Alex Young (23), seen here against Branford, scored once against Lyman Hall in a West Haven win, May 7, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Nina Casalaina made four saves in the win for the Westies.


Prisco leads Westies
Sophomore scores 5 times in 10-9 win over Law
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 6, 2015) -
 West Haven sophomore Gabi Prisco had seen enough of the West Haven girls lacrosse team's four-game losing streak. Prisco took it into her own hands to change this. 
Scoring five times in the game, including the winner with 50 seconds left in regulation, Prisco helped lead West Haven to a 10-9 victory over Jonathan Law in Milford Wednesday evening. The win snapped West Haven's skid and helped the team improve to 3-7 on the year. 

















Gabi Prisco, seen here against Branford, scored five times in a win against Jonathan Law, May 6, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"This game was close the entire time," West Haven coach Chrystal Fanelli said. "Gabi scored the winning goal with 50 seconds left. The past few games we played well defensively, but were having trouble scoring. Our offense really stepped up in this game and took a lot more shots than they have been. It paid off."
The game was even at four at the half, before the Westies were able to sneak away with the win on Prisco's late tally. 
Sophomore Mary McDaniel scored twice for West Haven, while Amanda Dileonardo, Danielle Bertolini and Madisyn Crotta each scored once. Cailynn Joyner added an assist for the Westies and Nina Casalaina made six saves. 

















Amanda Dileonardo, seen here against Branford, scored once in a win against Jonathan Law, May 6, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 
Jill Parsons and Olivia Keater each scored three goals for Law, with Colleen Goodwin adding a pair. 

Branford tops Westies
Westies fall to 2-7 with 14-3 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 4, 2015) -
 The West Haven girls lacrosse team lost its fourth consecutive contest with a 14-3 defeat at the hands of Branford Monday evening at Ken Strong Stadium. With the loss, West Haven fell to 2-7 on the year. 
Branford got off to a quick start in the contest, leading 4-1, as the only West Haven goal came from Amanda Dileonardo. 
Sophomore Gabi Prisco got the Westies within 4-2, but Branford came right back with a quick goal to take a 5-2 lead to the half. 

















Gabi Prisco scores against Branford, May 4, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The second half was all Branford as the Hornets outscored West Haven 9-1 to pull away with the victory. 
Danielle Bertolini scored in the second half for the Westies, but it was not nearly enough. 

















Danielle Bertolini (19) scored against Branford, May 4, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Branford held a 24-15 shot advantage in the contest and West Haven goalie Nina Casalaina finished with nine saves in the loss. 

















Jill Moran against Branford, May 4, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Branford was led by Claire Benevento, who scored five times, and Autumn McHenry, Caroline Caminear and Ashlee Smestad, who each scored twice.

Westies drop Third Straight
Hamden posts 11-5 win over WH
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 2, 2015) -
 The West Haven girls lacrosse team was looking to snap a two-game losing streak when it played host to Hamden Saturday evening. Instead, the Westies dropped their third straight, an 11-5 decision, to fall to 2-6 on the season. 

















Nina Casalaina (c.), seen here earlier in the season, and the Westies fell to Hamden, May 2, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske. 
Hamden dictated play early and the hard work paid off for the Green Dragons as they led 9-3 at the half and never looked back. 
Samantha Cozzolino had a big day for the Green Dragons, scoring four times and adding an assist. Jade Smart and Caroline Kennedy each scored three goals for Hamden, while goalie Karolyn O'Connor made 19 saves in the win. 
Danielle Bertolini led West Haven with two goals, while Gabi Prisco and Cailynn Joyner also tallied. The goal by Joyner was her first of the season.
Amanda Dileonardo added an assist in the loss for West Haven and Nina Casalaina made nine saves for the Westies. 



Gabi Prisco scores against Branford, May 4, 2015. Double click to view full screen. 

All-State players - Kelly Stratton '00; Shannon Stratton '03; Joane Amato '03; Melanie Raubeson '03; Alix Sutcliffe '09 

GIRLS LACROSSE 2015


Lauralton too much for Westies
Crusaders post 16-6 win 
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(May 1, 2015) -
 The West Haven girls lacrosse team suffered its second straight defeat with a 16-6 loss against Lauralton Hall Friday afternoon. The loss was West Haven's second straight and dropped the Westies to 2-5 on the season.

















Alex Young and the Westies fell to Lauralton Hall, May 1, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Looking to inch closer to the .500 mark, West Haven could not do so as the Crusaders outscored the Westies 8-3 in each half. 
Lauralton's Laura Maiorano led the way with five goals and one assist, while Nikki Zaccarro had four goals and three assists. Kerry Ullman added three goals and an assist in the win for the Crusaders, who held a 33-21 shot advantage. 
Gabi Prisco led the Westies with three goals to increase her team lead to 18,while Jill Moran, Amanda Dileonardo and Alex Young each scored once. Young also added an assist in the loss. 

















The West Haven girls lacrosse team celebrates a goal in a loss to Lauralton Hall, May 1, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Nina Casalaina made six saves in defeat for West Haven. 

Cheshire thumps Westies
Prisco, Bertolini score lone goals in 14-2 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 23, 2015) -
 The West Haven girls lacrosse team suffered a 14-2 loss on the road against Cheshire Thursday afternoon. 
The Rams scored early and often, taking an 8-1 lead after the first half and running away with the contest in the second half. The loss dropped the Westies to 2-4 on the season. 
Sophomore Gabi Prisco and senior Danielle Bertolini scored the lone goals for the Westies. The goal was Prisco's team-leading 15th on the season and was also Bertolini's sixth of the year. 

















Danielle Bertolini, seen here against Amity earlier in the season, scored for West Haven in a loss to Cheshire, April 23, 2015.  
Nina Casalaina made 13 saves in the loss for the Westies. 
Cheshire was led by Megan Dutchyshyn led Cheshire with four goals, while Kaitlyn D'Andrea, Erica Stauffer, Mia Pulisciano and Brooke Jackson each scored twice. 

Westies nip North Haven
Dileonardo leads WH to 7-6 win 
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 21, 2015) -
 Junior Amanda Dileonardo scored four goals as the West Haven girls lacrosse team defeated North Haven, 7-6, on the road Tuesday afternoon. With the victory, West Haven improved to 2-3 on the year. 
Dileonardo now has ten goals on the season. Sophomore Gabi Prisco scored twice to increase her team lead to 14 goals, while senior Alex Young scored her fourth goal of the season. 

















Amanda Dileonardo, seen here earlier in the season against Amity, scored four times in a win over North Haven, April 21, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
After a slow stat to the game in which North Haven led 5-2 at the half, West Haven turned the tables with five goals in the second half. West Haven played well defensively, holding the Indians to just one goal in the second half. 
Kylie Brandt and Shayna Delucia led North Haven with two goals apiece. Nina Casalaina made 10 saves in the win for West Haven.  

Westies fall to Spartans
Amity posts 11-4 win
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 18, 2015) - 
The West Haven girls lacrosse team is looking for some consistency in the 2015 season. After four contests, that consistency has not appeared. 
Traveling to Woodbridge Saturday afternoon, West Haven fell to Amity, 11-4, to drop to 1-3 on the season. 

















Gabi Prisco (20) and the Westies fell to Amity, April 18, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Spartans received a solid effort and led 5-1 after the first half. A 6-3 run in the second half by the Spartans put the contest away. 
Freshman Gabi Prisco scored three times for 12 on the year and she also added an assist. Danielle Bertolini also scored for the Westies. 

















Jill Moran (r.) and the Westies fell to Amity, April 18, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.

First Down
WH wins first of season, 13-7, over Foran
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 17, 2015) -
 After falling in the first two contests of the season, the West Haven girls lacrosse team knew it needed a quick start in its contest against Foran Friday morning. While that quick start did not happen, West Haven used a stellar second half to defeat the Lions, 13-7, at Foran High.

















Alex Young (23) scores against Foran, April 17, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Just nine minutes into the contest, West Haven trailed 4-0. That was all West Haven would allow in the opening half and the Westies went on to outscore Foran 13-3 the rest of the way to win their first game of the season.
"Foran scored the first four goals of the game," West Haven coach Chrystal Fanelli said. "By nine minutes in, we were down four goals. After that, Alex Young scored a goal assisted by Amanda Dileonardo and from there on, we played much better. Foran received a yellow card right before the end of the first half and we started the second half with two minutes of being up a player. We really took advantage of that and scored three goals during that time."
Freshman Gabi Prisco continued her torrid start with four more goals for nine on the season, and also added two assists. 
Amanda Dileonardo and Danielle Bertolini each scored three times, senior Alex Young scored twice, and Mary McDaniel scored once. Bertolini also added a pair of assists, while Dileonardo and McDaniel had one assist apiece,
Nina Casalaina made 15 saves in the win for the Westies.

















Nina Casalaina and the Westies defeated Foran, April 17, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"Nina did awesome in goal," Fanelli said. "This is the best I have seen her play."
Kiara Kanlong led Foran with three goals, while Kali Border scored twice.

Slow Start
WH falls to Guilford in home opener
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 14, 2015) -
 Looking to get on the winning end of the scoreboard for the first time in 2015, the West Haven girls lacrosse team will have to wait. In the 2015 home opener, Guilford spoiled the celebration, scoring 12 times in the first half and cruising to a 14-4 victory over the Westies at Ken Strong Stadium Tuesday evening. 
The Indians led by nine goals at the half and eased to the win to drop West Haven to 0-2 on the season. 

















Danielle Bertolini (19) had an assist in a loss to Guilford, April 14, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Nicole Raccuia led Guilford with three goals, while Catherine Laurence, Emma Jewett and Abby Deppson each scored twice. 
Sophomore Gabi Prisco and junior Amanda Dileonardo continue to be bright spots early  for the Westies as Prisco scored twice for her team-leading fifth goals of the season. Dileonardo added another goal to improve her total to three on the season.

















Gabi Prisco scored twice and added an assist in a loss to Guilford, April 14, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Sophomore Mary McDaniel also scored for the Westies, while Danielle Bertolini and Prisco picked up assists in the loss. 
Nina Casalaina made six saves in goal for West Haven. 

Just Short
Late rally not enough as WH falls to SHA  in season opener
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 9, 2015) -
 The West Haven girls lacrosse team got off to a slow start in the 2015 season and that start was the difference between winning and losing. 
Allowing eight goals in the first half, the Westies were in comeback mode, but fell just short in a 10-7 loss to the Pacers at Sacred Heart Academy Thursday afternoon in the season opener for the Westies. 
"We had a rough first half, but completely turned it around in the second half," West Haven coach Chrystal Fanelli said. "We began communicating better on defense and transitioning better. It was disappointing to lose, but I was really happy with the way we played in the second half."
Sophomore Gabi Prisco gave the Westies a 1-0 lead with 24 minutes, 5 seconds remaining in the first half, but the Pacers  scored the next eight goals to take a commanding lead. 

















West Haven celebrates a goal by Gabi Prisco (20) against Sacred Heart Academy, April 9, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Alex Ryan answered 4:04 later, Laura Card scored twice in 55 seconds for a 3-1 lead and Ryan scored the next three in a span of 3:28 for a 6-1 advantage with 12:23 remaining in the first half. 
Two more goals by the Pacers in a span of 2:11 increased the margin to 8-1 with 10 minutes remaining in the opening half, before Amanda Dileonardo gave the Westies life with a goal with 6:57 remaining in the half. 
Trailing 8-2, West Haven jumped out to a quick start in the second half, scoring three times in less than six minutes to get within 8-5. 
Prisco started the scoring with 24:10 remaining, Dileonardo added her second of the game 45 seconds later and Shannon Siclari set up Alex Young with 20:35 to go to get the Westies within three. When Siclari set up Prisco's third of the game 2:06 later, the Westies were right back in the contest with 18:29 left, trailing 8-6. 

















Alex Young (23) scores against Sacred Heart Academy, April 9, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Pacers sandwiched a goal by West Haven's Danielle Bertolini with two of their own 5:18 apart to stop any thoughts of a West Haven comeback. 

















Danielle Bertolini (19) scores against Sacred Heart Academy, April 9, 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Nina Casalaina made seven saves in the loss for West Haven. 

Work in Progress
Westies looking to build off successful 2014 
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(April 5, 2015) - 
The West Haven girls lacrosse team had a successful season in 2014, winning 10 games before falling in the opening round of the CIAC Class L state tournament. Looking to build off of that success, the Westies will need to do so without eight graduated seniors, all of which played a big role in the team's success. 
Graduated from that team are Ava Gambardella, Allyson Hemstock, Melanie Reiss, Josie Militrano, Leah Morrissey, Alyssa Talamelli, Sydney Mursko and Catherine Depino. Gambardella had an outstanding senior campaign with a team-leading 50 goals and 62 points, while Reiss had 48 goals, and tied for the team lead with 14 assists and 62 points. 
"This is a rebuilding year for us," West Haven coach Chrystal Fanelli said. "We lost eight seniors, who were all starters. After a successful season last year, we moved up a tier in the SCC, so we have a tough schedule ahead of us. We have some strong new players this year that we will be relying on in addition to returners. 
"Amani Cayo has been promising on offense and Kaitlynn Cooke will be utilized on defense. Almost our entire starting lineup last year had been playing together since we began the youth league back in 2009, so they built up a great deal of trust for each other and played together really well. This year, we are working to build that same level of trust with our new players. There are some tough teams in the SCC, so we are focusing on playing smart and remaining competitive with them."
The 2015 Westies will be led by senior tri-captains Danielle Bertolini, Blair Ludoviconi and Alex Young. Bertolini will play midfield, Ludoviconi will anchor the defense and Young will lead the offensive attack. 

















Danielle Bertolini will lead the 2015 Westies from her midfield position. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
"They have been playing together since we began the youth league back in 2009, so they work really well together," Fanelli said of her captains. "They are all hard workers and they are looking forward to this season."
Senior Jill Moran will play along side of Ludoviconi on defense, senior Nina Casalaina will be in goal, junior Amanda Dileonardo will play midfield as will sophomore Gabi Prisco, who tied for the team lead with 14 assists one year ago. 
"Gabi Prisco was a key player last year as a freshman and she has gotten even better this year," Fanelli said. "She played for the Noreaster club team. I'm really excited to see what she does for us this year. We are going to rely on her a lot on offense. 
"Danielle Bertolini has also been one of our key players since she was an underclassmen. She has always been a great defender and has also been stepping up for us on offense during our scrimmages."

















Sophomore Gabi Prisco will be expected to lead the West Haven offense in 2015. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
Junior Cailynn Joyner will play midfield and sophomores Mary McDaniel and Colleen Monahan will play attack. Freshman Amani Cayo will add to the offense and sophomore Kaitlynn Cooke will be a nice addition on defense for Fanelli. 
"Blair Ludoviconi and Jill Moran will run our defense," Fanelli said. "Amanda Dileonardo and Cailynn Joyner will be two of our starting midfielders. We are expecting a lot from them this year. Mary McDaniel and Colleen Monahan will join Alex Young at attack."

















Senior captain Alex Young will play a key role on the 2015 Westies from her attack position. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.
The Westies, who open the season Thursday, April 9 at Sacred Heart Academy at 3:45 p.m., play six of their first seven games on the road, with their only home contest in that stretch on April 14 against Guilford at 7 p.m. The Westies close the regular season with seven of their last nine games at home.

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