New Canaan Sports Digest Sept 14

New Canaan third in preseason CSWA football poll

Judging by the preseason rankings, New Canaan and Masuk could be headed to another showdown in the CIAC Class L state championship game.

New Canaan (11-2) is ranked third in the preseason Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance preseason poll, which was released Tuesday night.

Xavier (13-0), the No. 1 team last season, edged Masuk (13-0) by one point -- 434-433 - for the top spot in the preseason poll.

Last season, Masuk defeated New Canaan 50-20 in the Class L final, ending the Rams' four-year state title run. The Panthers again will be led by UConn-bound quarterback Casey Cochran.

Matt Milano, who threw 42 touchdown passes last season, also is back to guide New Canaan's potent offense.

Trumbull (11-2) is ranked sixth in the preseason poll. The Eagles finished last season ranked fifth after losing to Xavier in the CIAC Class LL state championship game.

The only other FCIAC team in the preseason top 10 is Staples at No. 7. The Wreckers (9-2) were not ranked at the end of last season after losing to Glastonbury 7-6 in the quarterfinals of the Class LL playoffs.

St. Joseph (10-3), the two-time defending Class S state champion, did not make the top 10 as the Cadets return only two starters and appear to be facing a rebuilding season.

Here is the top 10 poll:

Also Receiving Votes: Windsor 8-2 133; West Haven 8-3 114;  Glastonbury 10-2 69; North Haven 9-2 67; Brookfield 9-3 64; St. Joseph  10-3 61; Berlin 10-1 53; Bunnell 7-3 47; Darien 10-2 40; Montville 10-2  40; Greenwich 5-5 32; Southington 8-2 31; Torrington 7-3 30; Valley  Regional/Old Lyme 11-1 27; Norwich Free Academy 11-1 23; Ledyard 7-3 19;  Pomperaug 8-2 14; Notre Dame-West Haven 7-3 13; Northwest Catholic 4-6  12; Stamford 6-4 11; Naugatuck 9-2 10; Conard 8-3 9; Middletown 7-3 9;  Cromwell 7-4 8; Shelton 6-4 7; Avon 8-2 6; Hyde Leadership 7-4 4;  Fairfield Warde 5-5 2; Hall 8-3 2; Fitch 6-4 1; Gilbert/NW Regional 9-3  1; Maloney 8-2 1; Newtown 8-2 1; Plainville 8-3 1; Ridgefield 7-3 1;  Waterford 7-3 1

Jay Tennis Tourney Set for Saturday

The seventh annual Allan Jay Memorial Tennis Tournaments are set for Sept.17 at New Canaan's Meade Park and other area clubs.

This tournament has grown to become one of New Canaan's premier sporting events with more than along with more than 100 spectators.

Last year's championship draw included several players who competed on the ATP Tour, including two NCAA Division II champions and one former Davis Cup player.

There are three separate doubles draws to accommodate all levels of player. Any tandem, regardless of gender is eligible, but one player on the team must be at least 15 years old.

There also are separate sections for mixed teams, husband and wife, and parent and child. The cost per team is $40.

The semifinals for the elite draw is 3 p.m., followed by the finals at 4 p.m.

To enter, contact Hal Schaefer at 203-803-5396 or email him at hal@customframeit.com

TUESDAY'S RESULTS

Girls soccer

New Canaan 8, Norwalk 0 -- Sarah Mannelly had three goals for the Rams and Anna Borrea, Lauren Holec Madzie Carroll, Courtney Overacker and Eileen Finney one each

Field hockey

Stamford 1, New Canaan 0 (OT)  Jasmine Li scored 7:35 into overtime for the Black Knights. Stamford goalkeeper Lesly Sanchez frustrated the Rams with 12 saves. New Canaan's Britt Gardella needed to make only two stops

WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE

Boys soccer

New Canaan at Danbury, 4 p.m.

Girls volleyball

New Canaan at McMahon, 4 p.m.

Boys cross country

McMahon, St. Joseph, Greenwich. New Canaan at Staples, 4 p.m.

Girls cross country

McMahon, St. Joseph, Greenwich. New Canaan at Staples, 4 p.m.

Girls swimming

Trumbull at New Canaan, 3 p.m. (New Canaan YMCA)

THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE

Football

New Canaan at Bassick, 6 p.m.

Girls soccer

New Canaan at Fairfield Warde, 4 p.m.

STANDINGS

• Football

Bassick

Boys soccer

Girls soccer

Fairfield Warde

The Daily Sports Digest is designed for you to add your best photo and/or video to share (instructions here). If you see anything in our scores, standings, or schedules that requires updating, please e-mail regional editor Michael Dinan at michaeld+sports@patch.com