Connetquot Central School District

Weekly Sports Update - October 1

Boys JV Volleyball vs. Smithtown: The Sept. 23 junior varsity volleyball match with Smithtown-West was the fifth straight win for the T-Birds, who improved their overall record to 5-1, according to coach Nick Piampiano.

Girls Soccer vs. Smithtown-East: The high school girls varsity soccer team was protecting a scoreless tie for 39 minutes in the first half against visiting Smithtown-East but went into the half-time break down 1-0. Despite 12 saves by the T-Birds’ Gabbie Pinero, the visitors scored again in the second half to earn a 2-0 win and improve its record to 6-1-1. Connetquot drops to 4-2-1 in Suffolk Division I, which places them in the seventh spot among 25 teams.

Football vs Half Hollow Hills: The varsity football team got on the scoreboard first at Half Hollow Hills-East on Sept. 25 but in the end fell short of their League II opponents by a score of 48-20. The T-Birds are now 1-2 while Half Hollow Hills East improves to 2-1. Devon Shapiro scored from the 5-yard line on a pass from quarterback Michael Ross; Nick LaMantia scored on a 70-yard kickoff return and Nick Pepitone scored on a one yard run late in the fourth quarter. Half Hollow Hills East running back Dakim Griffin carried the ball 19 times for 274 yards. Despite the disappointing outcome, Connetquot coaches and a sizable crowd of parents and students recognize the potential for a successful season for the 2021 T-Birds!

Girls Junior Varsity Soccer: Coach Caitlin Gallo reported that the junior varsity team has 32 players and the girls work really well together and build each other up in such a positive way. The team is currently 7-1. The final score of Saturday vs. Brentwood was 7-0. Goals were scored by Madison Caputo (2), Jamie Elliot, Thalia Guidice (2), Megan Erdman and Rachel Brunette. All players got in the game. Saves were made by Julia Wachsmuth and Christie Clark who have been protecting the goal all season and doing a great job.

Boys Junior Varsity Soccer: Coach Chris Walsh reported that Josh Paul and Garfield Gillespe scored for the T-Birds in the team's 2-1 double at home overtime win against Newfield High School on Sept. 24. The team is working hard and improving with each outing.

Gymnastics: The girls varsity gymnastics coach Renee Guerrieri’s Lady T-Birds defeated Patchogue-Medford at home on Sept. 23 by a score of 164.7 – 150.6 to remain undefeated at 3-0 in Suffolk League I. Arianna Platti won the beam with a 9.4, while Alex Melchiona won the floor exercise (9.35) and bars (9.3). Gianna Touya placed second on the bars with a score of 8.4. Coach Guerrieri and her talented gymnasts are working hard to repeat as Suffolk County Champions.

Boys Varsity Volleyball vs. Smithtown-West: The boys varsity volleyball team took part in the program’s annual Dezy Strong fundraiser on Sept. 23 and helped raise awareness and needed funding. They also earned their fourth win of the season. The T-Birds are now 4-1 in Suffolk League I. Connetquot won three straight matches by scores of 25-19, 25-12 and 28-26. Ben Lillie and Sean Rogalle led the team with 9 kills apiece while Dom Ruggiero led the team with 28 assists. Lillie led the T-Birds with six blocks.

The DezyStrong Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established by Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer in February 2019. Their mission is to provide the opportunity for individuals who are fighting cancer to have access to support that affects a positive mental well-being. The foundation encourages everyone to get involved to support this important initiative. Whether by making a monetary donation, attending an event, or by volunteering your time, you can help support those in their fight against cancer.