Last school year already seems so far away, but it brought some of the most exciting and enjoyable sports in recent memory. This week, we continue to remember the best that the Hawks and ‘Hounds had to offer since last September.
In the second of a three-part series, we’ll take a look back at the top 10 games of the last academic year. We were lucky enough to see some phenomenal contests in all different sports, and many of them came in the Woodland-Naugatuck rivalry. We’ve picked out our 10 favorite games of the year, listed chronologically.
Next week, we’ll conclude the series by recounting the top 10 senior athletes of the year. For more, including links to all the best games of the year, log on to mycitizensnews.com.
Top 10 Games
Woodland volleyball beats Seymour, 3-0 (Oct. 5, 2010): In a hostile gym at Seymour High, the Hawks staged an unexpected sweep of the previously unbeaten Wildcats, including a comeback from 9-1 down in the third game. In fact, Seymour had not lost a game all season before the sweep, as Adriana Ambari and Heather Framski led the charge for Woodland.
Naugatuck boys soccer beats Woodland, 5-3 (Oct. 6, 2010): The undefeated Hawks led, 3-0, at halftime, but the Greyhounds rallied to tie on a Richard Mitchell goal to send the game to overtime. In the extra period, Naugy added two goals to seal the comeback. A pair of penalty kicks helped the ‘Hounds rally after Woodland scored three goals in the first 15 minutes.
Naugatuck girls soccer beats Woodland, 3-2 (Oct. 7, 2010): Nicole Sambrook fired in the game-winning goal from 20 yards with 27 seconds remaining to push the Greyhounds past the Hawks. Woodland was pesky, as each time Naugy pulled ahead, Raven Palmerie evened the score with a direct kick. Sambrook scored twice to lead the ‘Hounds to the win.
Woodland football beats Naugatuck, 25-6 (Nov. 5, 2010): In a game that both teams thought was for the Naugatuck Valley League Copper Division title, Woodland held a potent Naugatuck offense to less than 200 yards. Jack DeBiase broke the game open with a 96-yard interception-return touchdown in the third quarter, but the Copper championship had to be put on hold…
Woodland football loses to Sacred Heart, 30-27 (Nov. 11, 2010): …because it turned out Woodland had to beat Sacred Heart the following week. The Hawks had a chance to win the game with under two minutes left, but a fumble at the 2-yard line ended the rally. Woodland squandered a late, 27-24 lead after rallying from an 11-point deficit in the second half.
Naugatuck football beats Ansonia, 38-20 (Nov. 25, 2010): For the first time since 2001, Naugatuck defeated Ansonia and won the NVL championship with a dominating performance at Jarvis Stadium. Erich Broadrick threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more while the Naugy defense held Montrell Dobbs to 105 yards and Aaron Echevarria recorded five sacks.
Woodland boys basketball beats Naugatuck, 55-53 (Dec. 28, 2010): As coach Tom Hunt continued to turn around the Woodland boys basketball program, his team showed its clutch ability by holding onto a close win over Naugy thanks to two free throws by Yahmad Rountree with 2.9 seconds left. Mick Pernell just missed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that would have given Naugy the win.
Woodland girls basketball beats Waterford, 64-63 (March 1, 2011): Heather Framski added a signature moment to her fantastic career by grabbing an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and hitting a fadeaway, turnaround, three-footer that slowly rolled around the rim and fell through with 3 seconds left to clinch a first-round state tournament win at Woodland.
Naugatuck baseball beats Watertown, 11-8 (April 11, 2011): The Greyhounds rallied from an 8-4 deficit in the borough by mounting a three-run rally in the sixth. In the seventh, Karl Johansen led off with a triple and scored on a passed ball before Zack Mercer won the game with a two-out, three-run, walk-off home run to right field, scoring Nolan Kinne and Arber Mehmedi.
Naugatuck softball beats Woodland, 8-5 (May 24-25, 2011): The teams tied, 5-5, after seven innings, rain soaked Wolcott High and forced the eighth inning to the following afternoon after a back-and-forth battle throughout regulation. Naugy scored three runs in the top of the eighth and held the Hawks scoreless in the bottom half to move to the semifinals against Holy Cross.
