Athletics Results

Lacrosse

Phoenix Level Kildonan

Saturday, Amenia NY: The Woodhall Phoenix Lacrosse team took the lead in the first quarter versus the Kildonan squad and never looked back. The play of the defense held off the Kildonan scoring until the second quarter, as well as the incredible saves by senior goalie, Weylen Slay.

The 1 - 0 at the end of the first was too small a margin for the Phoenix. The Kildonan midfielders had speed, and the attack could threaten with a shooter. Defensive play stood out by David Miller who consistently turned over the possession back to the Phoenix. Also, David Rusinko sent a message to attacking players that the crease was his territory. By half time, the margin had grown to two, and the Kildonan squad was beginning to unravel.

The Phoenix began to take off in the third quarter with a string of goals. It ws a 4 - 0 shutout in the third for the Phoenix with a goal by senior midfielder Oliver Kinkel, assisted by freshman attackman Greg Wasserstom from the top of the box. Then the junior midfielder Justin Premeaux continued his scoring streak with six goals on the day, and one assist. The Phoenix run was also helped now by even more stalwart play by Slay. Time after time he came up with saves that kept the Phoenix lead and possession. It was certainly one of his best performances of the season. Statistics on the game could show twenty or more saves by Slay. In the end the Phoenix held the lead from 8 - 2 and ran down the clock with offensive possessions anchored by sophomore Sam Kenney picking up numerous ground balls, and senior AJ Kessler literally running time off by working the perimeter, In transition, midfield play was helped by the clears from Slay and the attention of the midfielders who usually foung open space and won ground balls. Sophomore Jason Gershow handled the ball well on the move, and junior Andrew Lillis kept the battles alive on ground balls.

-Coach Reycroft

The Phoenix Take Flight

It may have been a knuckle rubbing, claw biting, stuggle of a take off, but the results are the same. After an extraordinary game last week versus the unfamilliar Nonnewaug Lacrosse Club, that was brought to overtime by the determination and consistent play of the team, the Woodhall Phoenix Lacrosse team welcomed the Kildonan School from Amenia, New York to Fuller Field in front of a crowd of hundreds. The victory that ensued was started with the rainy drizzle at face-off that added another atmosphere to the already dramatic contest. Last year's two game split with Kildonan left a feeling with the Phoenix squad. They took to the field determined to make a statement to the visitors, by scoring more than last year's one game best of seven goals.

Kildonan opened the scoring, and the answer came quickly from the Phoenix. There were many alternating possessions in the first half. The Phoenix offense kept producing shots on goal, and slowly began to gain the edge, but Kildonan worked to hang in the game. The balance of momentum was in the middle for the first half. The score was tied 4 - 4 at halftime.

The Phoenix scoring was led by co-captains Justin Premeaux with five goals and AJ Kessler with two. The final separating goal was scored by a senior midfielder, Oliver Kinkel, in the fourth quarter. That goal gave the Phoenix a two goal lead, that they would hold for the last three minutes of the game. The Phoenix produced the lead after half and never looked back until the last few minutes. The hard work on ground balls by midfielders Andrew Lillis, Justin Premeaux, Oliver Kinkel, Ben Fleming, and Ty Kavanaugh kept the momentum on the Phoenix side. Andrew Lillis had a few decisive ground balls that he turned into offensive possessions. Ty Kavanaugh turned the ball through the midfield and even found a few chances on offense. Ground balls were also won by the Phoenix defense. As a unit, the defense kept Kildonan from shooting inside. Sophomore Martin Lewis won his matchup versus Kildonan's left handed star attackman by holding him to one goal on the day. Co-Captain David Miller administered multiple poke checks and held up the Kildonan fast break. Senior David Rusinko demonstrated how to play a physical game and won most of the contests on the ground. And, of course, the defense was anchored by the play of senior goalie Weylen Slay, who turned out another stellar performance.

When the final whistle sounded and the score showed 8 - 6 for the Phoenix, there was a resounding revelry from the Phoenix and the fans. The next Phoenix match is versus Marvelwood on Saturday, April 24th, and look for another victory from the flying Phoenix.

-Coach Reycroft

Season Opener Sizzles at Storm King

The Woodhalll Phoenix Lacrosse Team traveled away from Fuller Field, to Cornwall-on-Hudson, for the first game of the 2010 season.They faced off against the Storm King School just after scheduled time in unusually warm condidtions at the field on Skiff Mountain. The Phoenix came out from the first whistle with intent to play a competitive match. After winning the opening face-off, and the following ground ball, the midfield carried the possession into the offensive box and set up the first offensive possession. The ball moved consistently around the box allowing a look at the match-ups in the field.

The game was full of more than what was expected on day one of the season's schedule. Attackman Sam Kenney tallied his first goal of the season on a fast break pass from Midfielder Ty Kavanaugh as he entered the box. Sam turned with the pass and shot low on the far side to beat the goalie. Midfielder Justin Premeaux rolled around the back of the goal on a sleepy defense and sprung up front to tuck home a shot.

Defensive highlights included Matin Lewis forcing turnovers with the poke checks and David Miller addressing poignant checks aimed to hit the hands and force the ball free. Weylen Slay tallied many saves in the game, many spectacular.

The midfield corps showed aggressiveness on the face-offs and had an advantage on the day. In short, the Phoenix arrived to surprise the Storm King squad with a game to remember, and may return disappointed with the 3-4 score, but impressed with the play of the game.

-Coach Reycroft

Ice Hockey

The Woodhall Hockey League - the WHL - Makes its Debut on the Pond

As the snow rests on the frozen pond, eh, the shovels are at the ready. And as your silly football season ends, it's time to sharpen the skates, tape up the sticks, and take to the ice. In its opening season, four teams of three compete for the coveted trophy of the WHL. The Phoenix Cup, standing 4'8", a mere two inches taller than rookie skater, Josh Fand. On skaters like Fand, the Pond Guy says, "That's why I do it, eh. It's why I freeze my butt off hosin' down the pond, ya know. To see those skaters take the ice with such intensity...It's a beautiful thing, eh."

At the outset of the season, people are wondering, "Will it be the Leafs?, eh. Or that west coast team, uh... oh yeah, the Queens?" Who cares, eh? I heard the big bad bears from Boston, the Bruins, may be the early favorites, ya know. With that wicked skater up front, Ian Chace. Word is, he's got a shot, too. Could score a lot of goals. It will be nice to see how the rivalry between forwards Andrew Lillis and A.J. Kessler plays out, too. There's some real tension on the ice that only a shining, silver cup can ease. In any case, it should be fun to watch as the players give it their all for the chance to hoist the Cup over their heads and skate it around the pond.

-The WHL Report is courtesy of Mr. "Number 4, Bobby Orr" Greene, and Mr. "Pond Guy" Reycroft.

Basketball

2/8/10, Phoenix vs. Devereaux-Glenholme
In a pulsating overtime thriller, the Woodhall Phoenix basketball team defeated Devereaux-Glenholme 42 - 36. Paced by the scoring and rebounding of Martin Lewis '12 and Sam Kenney '11, Woodhall began the game strong, running out to small leads in the first and second quarters. The Phoenix carried a four point lead late in the fourth quarter and only a miracle finish by Glenholme forced the game to overtime. In the four minute overtime, Woodhall outscored Glenholme by a 9 - 3 score; standout defensive play and clutch free throw shooting by the Phoenix sealed the victory.

2/4/10, Phoenix vs. Forman        
The Woodhall Phoenix basketball team lost a heartbreaker to the Forman Lions, 39 - 36. The Phoenix began the game strong. Excellent defensive play from David Rusinko '10 and strong teamwide passing led the Phoenix to a 7 - 6 lead after a quarter, and a two point lead at the half. But late in the game the Lions showed their strength, winning the game by regularly breaking down the Phoenix defense for high-percentage shots near the basket. After the game's finish, Martin Lewis '12 received an award from the Forman School for his sportsmanship and effort.

Basketball photos by Alex White

Cross Country

Season Openers

The Phoenix Cross Country team opened its 2009-2010 season with a meet on September 30, 2009 against Forman School, Hamden Hall Country Day School and Wooster School. After two weeks of conditioning and training, the team raced over the rolling course of 3.00 miles on the Forman School campus. Good early season times were posted by all of the Phoenix runners with Ty Kavanaugh finishing in fifth place and Sam Kenney in eighteenth place. Ian Chace, Michael Ernstmeyer and Rob Rappoport quickly followed in a tight grouping. George Sutherland Howard and Patrick Doyle finished strong. The race experience was beneficial to all runners.

On October 3^rd the team journeyed to Storm King School for a meet with Storm King and Marvelwood Schools. The runners attacked the 2.8 miles course and produced improved race pace times after their initial outing. Ty Kavanaugh led all 29 runners with a first place finish that was a minute ahead of the rest of the field. He quickly was followed by Sam Kenney in eighth place, Michael Ernstmeyer in tenth place, Ian Chace in twelfth place and Rob Rappoport in thirteenth place. George Sutherland Howard and Even Goldman completed the placing of the Phoenix runners. All of the competitors saw the benefits of their training runs. In dual meet scorings, Marvelwood School bested the Phoenix 23 - 32, while The Woodhall School edged Storm King School 27 - 28.

Phoenix Runners  Perform Well on the Marvelwood School Course

On October 14^th the Phoenix cross country team journeyed to Skiff Mountan, Kent, CT to challenge Darrow School and Marvelwood School in a cross country meet. Running on a cool and windy afternoon over the hilly and challenging 3.1 miles course, the Phoenix harriers turned in their best times of the season. Ty Kavanaugh led The Woodhall School finishers with a strong effort and placed second overall. He was followed quickly by a pack that included Ian Chace (fifth place), Sam Kenney (sixth pace), Michael Ernstmeyer (eighth place), and Rob Rappoport (tenth place). Evan Goldman, George Sutherland Howard and Patrick Doyle ran excellent races and finished with good efforts. The strong finishes earned The Woodhall School runners a narrow victory over Darrow School (27 - 28) and a decisive decision against Marvelwood School (19 - 38).

-Coach Seefried

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