Girls’ Ice Hockey: To get a good start on the season, the Wildcats used scrimmages against Greenwich and Darien high schools to work on a lot of plays and systems.
By Melanie Cane
Girls’ Ice Hockey
To get a good start on the season, the Wildcats used scrimmages against Greenwich and Darien high schools to work on a lot of plays and systems.
In their opening game against Canterbury, December 4, their quality play was not on display. But after a 5-0 loss, the Wildcats quickly regrouped and trounced The Hill School 9-2 on December 7. In that game, freshman defenseman Sarah Ince tallied six points (three goals and three assists), Captain Ciara Claire contributed with two goals and four assists, and Charlotte Fleischman and Olivia Weaver each netted a goal. Additionally, Maddie Lyons scored one goal and had three assists, and Steph O’Brien scored one and had two assists.
After their morale-boosting win, The Wildcats were looking forward to a rematch against Canterbury at home on December 14, but the game was snowed out.
According to Coach Courtney Doucette, the team’s goal is “to improve each time we step on the ice.” She pointed to Claire, Ince, and O’Brien as the players to watch.
Their next game is December 18, post-press time, against Greenwich Academy at home.
Wrestling
The Wildcats have high aspirations this season: to finish better than .500 in dual meets, challenge the better teams at their league championships, and crown some NY Prep champs.
To achieve those goals, said Coach Rich Knazik, the team will rely heavily on senior Captains George Matelich and Dylan Bronson. The coach is impressed by newcomers Riley Faulk, Arthur Nagashima, and Hannes Boening, and is pleased with the turnout. The team is comprised of four seniors, one junior, and several underclassmen, so this is a team in progress.
In their only meet so far, the Canterbury Tournament on December 7, Bronson won his first two matches, before a heartbreaking loss in overtime in the semifinals. Brian Araque, Nagashima, Sean Price, Boehning, Marc Schneider, and Justin Chun all won at least one match, but did not place.
The Wildcats have back-to-back dual meets at home December 18 and 19, hosting Horace Mann and then Rye High School.
Girls’ Squash
The Wildcats are in the unique position of having sisters occupy the No. 1 and 2 spots. Junior Captain Caroline Kimmel is the top player and freshman Catherine Kimmel is right behind her. Behind the Kimmel sisters are Madeleine Pierpont, Mariana Lee, Michelle Haut, and senior Captain Sydney Ginsberg.
As of this week, the Wildcats are 4-0. Coach Alex Langerhorst says the girls are aiming to make the top 10 in the Nationals and New England’s this year. “Individually, they’re striving to become the best players they can be.”
With such proven talent and team unity and fitness — Langerhorst says this team is the fittest girls squash team in Rye Country Day history — those goals are certainly within reach.
