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Monday Sports Roundup

by Community Contributor

Hopewell Valley Soccer Association

Division 2 girls

Fyrefly Yoga v. Hopewell Express. On Saturday the Hopewell Express played Fyrefly Yoga in a fiercely contested match.  Sophia Landolina got the Express on the board first with a goal in the first quarter. Great team defense by Sloan Ritter, Eva DeMinico, Reece Bourne, Kayal Kasi and Brigid Falk along with flawless goaltending by Natalie Frush and Sophia Landolia would make that goal stand up and keep the Express leading 1-0 at the half. A goal in the third quarter by Sadie Bloom for team Fyrefly Yoga would tie the game at 1.  Late in the fourth quarter, Sloan Ritter would score the go-ahead goal. Great defense led by Ashley Kurian, Morgan Upson, and Lauren Dwyer secured the 2 – 1 victory for the Express.  

Clarke Insurance v. Greenleaf Landscaping.  Celia Carsky-Wilson, June Branham, and Samantha Parsons provided the goals for Clarke Insurance in a 3-1 victory over Greenleaf Landscaping. Clarke Insurance’s goalkeepers Anna Bailey, Scarlett Ialamov, and Ava Berg showed superior performance throughout the game for a hard-earned win.

Hopewell Express v. Greenleaf Landscaping. On Sunday, the Hopewell Express battled to a 2 – 2 tie with Greenleaf Landscaping.  Kayal Kasi, Natalie Frush, Sophia Landolia, and Ashley Kurian all played fantastic in net for the Express.  Ashley Kurian scored her first goal of the season giving the Express and 1-0 lead early in the second quarter. Greenleaf Landscaping would score back to back goals by Catelyn Fox and Bella MIller to take a 2-1 lead in the third quarter. Morgan Upson would tie the game at 2 early in the fourth quarter. Great team defense by both teams would keep the score tied at two at the final whistle. 

Clark Insurance v. Fyrefly Yoga. Clarke Insurance and Firefly Yoga played to a 1-1 tie. Clarke Insurance scored first with a goal from June Branham in the first half. Fyrefly Yoga immediately responded with an unstoppable shot by Sophia Prunetti to equalize the score. In the second half, Clarke Insurance created many opportunities by counter attacking Fyrefly Yoga, however unable to score a goal because of a great overall team effort by team Fyrefly Yoga. Clarke Insurance formed a solid team defense and played their best game so far with Celia Carsky-Wilson, Eleanor MacDonald, Olivia Armendinger, Samantha Parsons, Kelly Hujber, Kate Krupa, Olivia Hack and goalkeeper Fiona Dilek showing unmatchable performance to fight against Fyrefly Yoga’s powerhouse attackers through the game. 

Division 3 girls

Pixie Salon v. M3 Studios. Pixie Salon played hard on both Saturday and Sunday against m3 Studios and ended up with tie games on both days. Angelyn Li scored one goal on Saturday, and one on Sunday. Kaylie Weeast scored one goal on Sunday.  Offensive assistance was provided by Luca Burd, Daphne Edmond-Marietti, Andrea Odaa, and Alexandra Rowe. Defense was led by Sophia Acerenza and Samantha Weeast, along with Lola Caruso, Siria Vallucci, and Ainsley Weed.

Hopewell Valley Regional School District

Due to the pandemic, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) has pushed back the official start of most fall sports. Competition began for most sports October 1 with the exception of football, which started its season on October 2 and girls tennis, which will begin October 28.

Cormac Dow runs for Hopewell Valley cross country (photo by Paul Domboski)
Cross Country

On Thursday, October 1, the Colonial Valley Conference opened its season on a new course at Reed/Bryan Farm at Mercer Meadows. Hopewell Valley, Hightstown and Lawrence had the privilege to officially christen the new course. Due to the pandemic, no large county and state meets will be held and the emphasis will be on small dual and tri meet records.

Hopewell Valley Boys scored against Hightstown, and Hightstown scored against Lawrence while all three ran at once. Hopewell Valley defeated Hightstown 19-42, while Lawrence beat Hightstown 22-34. Cormac Dow was first across the finish line overall with a time of 18:07. Cullen McDermott was first for Lawrence at 18:23.2 nipping Cameron Watkins of Hightstown at 18:23.4.  Hopewell Valley’s Adam Golin, Arthur Kim, Ben Angwenyi, Ben Veale and Robbie Avanzato all finished in the top 10.

The girls race had similar results. Hopewell Valley topped Hightstown, 17-46 and Lawrence bested Hightstown, 22-33. Hopewell Valley’s Paige Dumont was first overall at 20:16, followed by teammates Dorothy Wong at 21:32, Sofia Venezia 21:39. HV runners Elizabeth Chandler, Katie Rowe and Mia Vaughn also finished in the top 10.

Football

Friday night lights returned to Hopewell Valley October 1 as the Bulldogs hosted the Blue Devils of Ewing for the opening of football season. Football, cheerleading and band/color Guard all saluted their graduating Seniors.  

On the field, the Blue Devils made several big gains to top the Bulldogs 24-6. Ewing’s Gabriel Abel ripped off 214 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. As dominant as Ewing’s rushing offense was, its heroes were the staunch team defense that prevented Hopewell Valley from gaining any momentum. Hopewell’s only touchdown came on a 37-yard pass to Devin Higgins from C.J. Szafranski in the third quarter. Mekhi Gibson had 2 touchdown runs of 7 and 14 yards for Ewing.  

Coach Dave Caldwell, Tommy Belsky, Devin Higgins (#2), and Terrence Peterson (#44) join together to present the pink-out check to Dr. Lisa Allen and Dr. Rose Mustafa of Capital Health (Photo Diane Hasili)

On Wednesday, the Gridiron Club made a donation to Capital Health from last year’s pink-out fundraiser. This year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the team will be unable to have the traditional pink-out game. In lieu of pink-out shirts, the team will be selling pink-out masks which feature the team’s bulldog mascot and “Hopewell Strong.” Details are available on the HVGIC Facebook page and HVGIC.com website. Proceeds will be donated ahead of next year’s pink-out game.

On Friday, October 9, Hopewell Valley Bulldogs took on neighboring Lawrence. While Lawrence celebrated Senior night off the field, they also celebrated a 23-14 come from behind victory. Lawrence opened the scoring with a long pass from Brandon Decker to Gabe Mitchell-White. Hopewell Valley answered with Terrance Peterson rumbling for a rushing touchdown. HV took advantage of a Lawrence fumble that Tommy Belsky dashed for the defensive score. Lawrence marched right back and took the lead on a Brandon Decker quarterback sneak. They closed out the scoring with a sack of C.J. Szafranski in the end zone for a 2-point safety. 

Hopewell Valley’s Marching Black and Gold performs at halftime of the Hopewell Valley /Ewing football game. (Photo by Paul Domboski )
Soccer

Wednesday was Senior night for the Hopewell Valley girls soccer team. They celebrated in a big way posting a 6-0 shutout over Hamilton West.  Nicola Mosionek had a hat trick. Nicolette Evich, Emily Chess and Emily DeNero each added goals as well.

Field Hockey  

Thursday afternoon, the Steinert Spartans traveled to Hopewell Valley for field hockey. Paced by Bella DiNardo’s four goals and an assist, the Bulldogs breezed past Steinert 8-0. Caroline Colavita had a goal and assist. Isabella Randazzo, Regina Franco-Valverde and Chloe Margulis each had a goal.  


With great thanks to our correspondents including Heidi-Marie Weeast and Catherine Wilson for HVSA and Paul Domboski for HVRSD football, field hockey, and soccer, Paul and Aron Oldfield for cross-country and Terry Pisauro for the pink-out! If you would like to submit the write up for your team, please email [email protected]. Weekly deadline is Sunday at 8pm. Photos are encouraged. Note: the awesome lead photo of girls cross-country also is by Paul Domboski.

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