New Canaan Sports Digest Sept 15

Rams open football season at Bassick

Lou Marinelli begins his 31st year as New Canaan football coach on Thursday when the Rams take on Bassick at Kennedy Stadium in their season opener (6 p.m.)

The Rams saw their string of four consecutive titles shattered by Masuk in last December's Class L championship, getting blown out 50-20.

Marinelli is hoping that defeat will serve as motivation for the Rams, who are seeking a sixth consecutive trip to the state finals.

"It's motivation for me," Marinelli said. "I hope it's motivation for the kids. The goal is to get back and play Masuk again. I know they'll be there. I'm hoping we can be there. We want to go and win it back"

New Canaan quarterback Matt Milano, who threw a state-record 42 touchdown passes last season, returns for his senior year.

The Rams are ranked third in the preseason Connecticut Sportswriters' Alliance top 10 poll behind Xavier and Masuk. New Canaan also is third in the New Haven Register media poll, which was released Tuesday.  Again, the Rams trail Xavier and Masuk.

Marinelli, who has guided the Rams to eight state championships and four FCIAC crowns, boasts a career mark of 263-91-7, including a 244-84-6 record at New Canaan.

Marinelli ranks second among active coaches in wins in the state, only trailing West Haven's Ed McCarthy, and fourth all-time.

Here is the Register's preseason top-10 poll:

Team Points   Last    Class

1. Xavier (13-0) (13) 724 1 LL

2. Masuk (13-0) (12) 722 2 L

3. New Canaan (11-2) 592 3 L

4. Hillhouse (10-3) 543 6 M

5. Ansonia (11-2) 503 9 M

6. Staples (9-2) 433 NR LL

7. Hand (10-2) 367 8 L

8. New London (10-3) 311 NR L

9. West Haven (8-3) 299 NR LL

10. Trumbull (11-3) 257 5 LL

Fairfield County Senior Men's Baseball League Playoffs

The semifinals are set in the Fairfield County Men's Senior Baseball League playoffs.

In one semifinal, the New Canaan Cannons will meet the Monroe Top Hats with game one of the best-of-three series set for Saturday at 9 a.m. at Mead Park Game two will played on Sunday, also at Mead at 9 a.m., with the third game to follow if necessary.

The Cannons advanced to the semifinals by winning a play-in game behind Bob Cote's three-hitter. New Canaan has one seven straight games.

The Top Hats went 14-2 during the regular season to secure the top seed.  One of their players in Norwalk's Pete Tucci, a former professional player out of Norwalk High School.

In the other semifinal series, the second-seeded Fairfield Mariners take on No. 3 seed Bridgeport Brewers,

The Westport Cardinals, Stamford Phillies, Trumbull Titans and Bridgeport Dodgers, the No. 5 -8 seeds, are vying for the President's Cup in the lower tier playoffs.

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

WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS

Boys soccer

New Canaan 1, Danbury 1

Girls volleyball

New Canaan 3, McMahon 0 Kellen Tensen had 11 service points, four aces, five kills and five digs for the Rams.

THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE

Football

New Canaan at Bassick, 6 p.m.

Girls soccer

New Canaan at Fairfield Warde, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY'S SCHEDULE

Boys soccer

Bassick at New Canaan, 4 p.m.

Girls volleyball

Danbury at New Canaan, 5:30 p.m.

STANDINGS

• Football

Wilton

Boys soccer

Girls soccer

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