Girls Basketball: New Canaan 55, Westhill 8
The New Canaan Rams girls basketball team put together a dominant performance on Senior Night, rolling past West Hill 55-8 at home. The Rams jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, holding the Vikings scoreless in the second half while showcasing a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defense.
New Canaan set the tone early, finishing the first quarter up 14-4. By halftime, they had extended their lead to 26-8, with senior Sarah Marshall hitting a key three-pointer and Callie Patterson leading a relentless defensive effort. The Rams’ defense forced multiple turnovers, preventing West Hill from establishing any rhythm on offense.
The second half saw complete control from New Canaan, as they continued to pressure West Hill into forced passes and contested shots. Sabrina Bourlaskii provided an offensive spark, knocking down four consecutive jumpers from the perimeter in the third quarter. Junior Natalia Cota and senior Grace Driscoll contributed on both ends, with Driscoll securing key rebounds and Cota recording a crucial block under the basket.
Despite missing the first quarter, Callie Patterson made an impact after checking in, forcing turnovers and converting transition layups. Freshman Lucy Detmer and junior Lily Sommers also played valuable minutes, helping extend the Rams’ lead to over 30 points.
By the start of the fourth quarter, New Canaan had widened the margin to 41-8, sealing the outcome long before the final buzzer. The Rams slowed the pace in the final minutes but still managed to surpass the 50-point mark, with contributions from underclassmen helping close out the game.
With the victory, New Canaan improves to 2-1 in its last three games. The Rams now prepare for a road game against Bridgeport Central on Friday before facing a difficult stretch against St. Joseph, Trumbull, Ridgefield, and Danbury to close out the regular season.
Girls Ice Hockey Stays Perfect, Extends Winning Streak
New Canaan girls ice hockey continued its dominant season with back-to-back wins, including a 5-0 shutout against Stamford/Westhill/Staples on February 3. The Rams’ first line powered the offense, while sophomore goaltender Macyn Callahan secured the clean sheet with a steady performance in net.
Callahan, now in her second year as the Rams’ starter, has filled the shoes of past standout goaltenders with confidence. Head coach Rich Buonanno praised her strong play, noting her ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations. Across the ice, SWS relied on sophomore McCaffrey Tuttle, who made 29 saves in a valiant effort despite facing a barrage of shots.
New Canaan’s top line dictated the pace of play, accounting for all five goals. Maddie Tully continued to prove why she is one of the state’s premier forwards, notching two goals and three assists. Serena O’Connor contributed a goal and two assists, while Fiona Curri found the net twice and added an assist. Ashton Pinkernell and Jenna Vigano anchored the defense, keeping SWS’s offensive chances to a minimum.
The Rams controlled the game from the start, although the first period ended in a scoreless tie. Just 30 seconds into the second period, Tully and O’Connor connected on a crisp passing sequence, with Tully finishing for the game’s opening goal. Minutes later, the two reversed roles as O’Connor converted a feed from Tully to extend the lead.
The Rams’ pressure never relented. Curri added a goal late in the second period off a setup from Tully, sneaking a shot past Tuttle from an acute angle. In the third, the Rams put the game out of reach, with Curri and Tully each scoring again to cap the 5-0 victory. Callahan faced 10 shots, turning each away with poise.
The shutout victory followed another strong performance on February 1, when the Rams defeated La Salle Academy (RI) 6-2. New Canaan exploded for four first-period goals, overwhelming La Salle’s defense early. Tully led the charge with two goals and two assists, while Curri and Vigano each tallied a goal and two assists. O’Connor, Izzy Hanna, and Isabella Madrid also contributed offensively. Callahan made 19 saves to secure the win.
New Canaan’s defensive core, led by Pinkernell, Vigano, and Marissa DelCarmine, continues to provide stability. The Rams have established themselves as one of the state’s top teams, blending offensive efficiency with disciplined play in their own zone.
With key matchups ahead in February, including a long-anticipated rematch against Darien, New Canaan looks to maintain its undefeated record and solidify its place atop the FCIAC standings.
Boys Hockey Undefeated with 3-2 Victory Over Notre Dame-West Haven
New Canaan’s varsity ice hockey team extended its perfect season with a 3-2 road victory over Notre Dame-West Haven on Wednesday night at West Haven High School. The Rams (15-0) overcame an early deficit, scoring twice in the second period to secure the win and maintain their No. 1 ranking in Connecticut.
Notre Dame (7-7) struck first, scoring two goals in the opening period to take an early advantage. New Canaan responded with a goal in the first and dominated the second period with two unanswered goals. Despite a scoreless third period, the Rams’ defense and goal-tending held strong to secure the win.
Senior forward Bryce Lyden continued his offensive dominance, adding to his team-leading 13 goals this season. Jack Thompson, the Rams’ assist leader with 14 on the year, played a crucial role in setting up scoring opportunities.
On the defensive end, goaltender Blake Pozatek continued his outstanding season, shutting out Notre Dame in the final two periods. His performance helped maintain New Canaan’s exceptional 1.4 goals-against average, which ranks among the best in the state.
For Notre Dame, Nick Stevens netted his ninth goal of the season, while Zack Goetze contributed with his ninth assist. Despite a strong start, the Green Knights struggled to generate offense in the final two periods.
New Canaan’s offensive depth remains a key factor in their success. The Rams have scored 71 goals this season while conceding just 2, averaging 4.9 goals per game. Their ability to capitalize in critical moments was evident in Wednesday’s victory, where they controlled play after the first period.
Notre Dame, ranked No. 10 in Connecticut, has shown resilience but struggled against top-tier opponents. The Green Knights have averaged 3.6 goals per game, with a 2.5 goals-against average, and will look to rebound in their next contest.
New Canaan will aim to continue its undefeated streak as it prepares for a crucial stretch in the regular season. With dominant performances on both ends of the ice, the Rams remain a top contender for the state championship.
Notre Dame will look to regroup as they push for a strong finish in conference play. Despite the loss, their early offensive spark against New Canaan showcased their potential.
New Canaan’s flawless record remains intact as they continue their dominant campaign.
