Boys Soccer Ties West Haven, Girls Soccer 2-0 over East Haven, and Field Hockey Beats Lyman Hall, 7-2

The Amity boys soccer team kicked off its season Tuesday by playing West Haven to a 1-1 tie. Halfway through the first half, Joe Guerra gathered in na pass from Ricky Mayer, turned and banged the ball past Blue Devil goalie John Matrischiano. That 1-0 lead lasted only 12 minutes as the Westies’ Jose Marcos answered with a score at the 30 minute mark.

The Devils outshot Amity 8-7. Spartan goalie Noah Safian recorded nine saves.

According to Amity Coach Mike Marchitto, “Noah was spectacular today in goal. He will certainly be a big key to our season.”

He added, “We were very tight and nervous in the first half. After not winning a game last year, I can understand why my guys were tight and nervous but last year was last year. It’s over and behind us. This is a different year. We just need to relax and do the things we did during our pre-season scrimmages and last week-end’s Jamboree.”

While frustrated with his team’s play in the first half, Marchitto was far more pleased to see his booters settle down and play much better in the scoreless second half.

“I wish we had put more pressure on the West Haven goalie, but we’ll be tough once we learn to relax,” he added.

The 0-0-1 Spartans visit Hamden Friday at 3:45 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

Scoring a goal in each half, the Amity girls soccer team opened its season Tuesday afternoon with a 2-0 SCC inter-divisional road victory over East Haven. Allison Maier (on a feed from Meghan Howard) scored with 1 minute, 30 seconds left in the first half. Tatiana Brown added an insurance goal at 66 minutes. Howard also picked up an assist on that score. The winners outshot the Easties 12-6. Lady Spartan goalie recorded three saves. Amity returns to action on Friday with a 3:45 p.m. home game against West Haven.

FIELD HOCKEY

Pairs of goals by Danielle Leibowitz and Katie Becker led the Amity field hockey team to a 7-2 season-opening SCC victory over Lyman Hall on Tuesday afternoon. Leibowitz opened the scoring with a goal at 27:42. Becker's first goal came with 4:09 left in the first half. Sam Testa made it 3-0 when she also found the net at 1:24. Only 24 seconds later, The Trojans' Mouna Sosiane scored to spoil the Lady Spartans' shut out bid but they still walked off with a 3-1 halftime lead. Becker, Jess Kreiger, Leibowitz and Sydney DeStefano all scored in the second half to give rookie Coach Sarah Hale her first varsity win. Sosiane added a second goal in the second half for the losers. Amity and Lyman Hall each recorded nine shots. Winning goalie Hannah Bercovicci made eight saves. The Lady Spartans visit Sacred Heart next Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.