Warde/Ludlowe Soccer: Mustangs Edge Falcons in Girls Game; Boys Play to Scoreless Tie

Tuesday night was the annual Ludlowe/Warde boys and girls soccer doubleheader. 

The games are doubleheaders each year, but the location rotates between the two schools each year and the team who plays first and second rotates in some fashion as well. 

This year, the boys played the first game and the girls the second game. 

The boys game ended in a scoreless draw. Both teams had chances but couldn't convert anything. Solid goaltending from Ludlowe's Chase McCormack and Warde's Gabriel Tiene. 

Warde retains the Swedish Cup, having won in 2023. 

In the girls' game, Warde won 1-0 to retain the FUSA Cup. The two teams tied in 2023 and Warde won the regular season matchup in 2022 (they also faced off in the postseason that year, with Ludlowe coming out victorious). 

The Mustangs goal came early on in the game, as Paige Shaughnessy found the back of the net. Ludlowe had their chances but couldn't push anything across. 

It was another solid night for the town and the two schools. It's always special for the entire town to see what great athletes and people are across town. It's also a community event with the youth players and just casual fans coming out to support. 

Ludlowe Doubleheader Sport Saturday

Ludlowe soccer handshake line following Saturday's win. 

Saturday was a long, busy day at Ludlowe. But a fun day. 

Let me first put this disclaimer. I don't have to be at most games. Other than sort of with my Nest advisor role and games I work, separate from my real job. I go because I enjoy sports and like to support these kids, families and teams. That's not to make me sound great or anything, just to explain something that is misunderstood by a lot of people, because I am at so many games, but not at others. 

First up was the boys' soccer game vs St. Joe's. 

Ludlowe came away with a 3-0 victory to improve their record to 6-1 on the season. 

The Falcon goals came from Ian Moore, Luke DiLillo and Timmy Bennett. Chase McCormack and Will Bostrom combined on a shutout in goal. 

It's rivalry week up next as Ludlowe will face Warde in soccer on Tuesday at Ludlowe. The boys' game is at 5pm, with the girls to follow at 7pm. 

After the soccer game, and a short break, it was on to football. 

The game versus Bridgeport Central was originally scheduled for Friday night but got moved to Saturday to due schools being closed in Bridgeport on Friday due to social media threats in the Bridgeport Schools.

Ludlowe did what they needed to do and came away with a convincing win to improve to 2-0 on the season. 

Next up, the travel to Notre Dame of West Haven on Friday night.  Two more road games after that, at New Canaan and Stamford, before returning home on October 26, to face Darien. 

Thanks to FLHS parent Scott Torello for filling in on the PA for the football game. Very solid job done by Scott. 

Shoutout to FLHS Site Director Frank Anile-Santiago on a terrific job all day. 

And the rest of the crew, led by Athletic Director Todd Parness. Art Cockerham, Justin Tomczyk, Chris Kearney, Craig DeAngelis and Mel Sulich, among others. 

I say I won't write about the high school sports I am at all the time, but that is so much of my life other than actual work, which is high school sports. Hopefully I will write about other topics and write more soon. 

2024 Football Opener

Ludlowe/NFA Football Action 

High school fall sports are off and running in Connecticut. 

Friday night was the opening night of football in Fairfield at Ludlowe. 

Lots of excitement and optimism in the air. 

It went extremely well for the home team. 

The Falcons came away with a 53-7 win over Norwich Free Academy. 

Ludlowe got contributions across the board. Too many to name all off hand, but early touchdowns from Justin Toothaker and Ryan Tompkins was more than enough. 

It was 31-0 after one quarter and 47-0 at halftime. Not a whole lot more to say. Just a dominant performance from the Falcons. 

I should start to mark down who does what so I can give everyone the credit they deserve. There's just so much going on and I am not always in a position where I am able. 

The last two years I was on the scoreboard. This year, we hired a referee clock operator. That meant I was back on Nest control and overall, just being around. Let's leave that right there. The less I say the better. 

Again, it's about the kids. The student-athletes. The student fans. The parents and all the other fans. It's about the experience. Having fun, while being safe. 

Great job by everyone. 

Ludlowe is back at home next Friday as they host Bridgeport Central at 6pm. 

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As for Warde, they came away with a 20-6 win at Harding. The first win for Christian Parisi as head coach of the Mustangs. 

Warde is back in action next Friday with the home opener at 6pm against New Canaan. 

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Earlier in the day at Ludlowe, the fall Pep Rally was held. 

Great job by the Nest leaders, the sports captains, and all the other group leaders who were a part of it. It's about getting excited about the school events and having pride in the school. As well as everyone supporting their classmates. 

Nice work by the cheerleading team, dance team, and pep band with their performances as well. A full school affair

Where Were You?

Where were you "when the world stopped turning" 23 years ago. 

September 11, 2001. 

The attacks on our country. 

The World Trade Center

The Pentagon

Shanksville, PA. 

The day the world changed. In so many ways. 

For people my age, it's the worst tragedy and biggest news story of our lifetime. 

This is what JFK's Assassination or Pearl Harbor, among other events are to those older than me. 

I tell this story ever year, but, like so many, we think about where we were when we heard the news. That is what happens with national or world news. 

Twenty-three years ago, I was in first grade at Riverfield Elementary School. 

We were in morning meeting in Ms. K's class when Mrs. Sue Breisler (who is now a colleague) came into the classroom to tell Ms. K what had happened. 

I don't remember what happened in the immediate aftermath, other than I presume there was some type of announcement made about us being dismissed from school early.  

The next thing I remember was getting dismissed and my dad, who worked in Farmington, CT, meeting my mom, brother and I at the school. From there, we went home. A very weird memory that doesn't matter at all, was being on the wooden playground (that was replaced shortly thereafter) in the school yard. 

I have a very vague memory of the rest of that day, or the days following. I have heard many stories and read and watched many items on the events of that Tuesday and the days and months following. 

On a day like today, I think of my extended family in Law Enforcement. 

I also think about my cousins, who lost their cousin, who was working in the North Tower of the Trade Centers. 

We remember all those who lost their lives that day and those who have passed away in the years since then, due to that day. We also think of all the family members impacted. 

It's about the First Responders and the regular citizens. 

Furthermore, I remember going to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey in early 2002 and from the observation deck you could see across the Hudson River and see the blue tribute lights where the towers stood. This is a powerful image for me. 

We use the phrase, Never Forget, which honestly sounds cliche, but it's so true. We will never forget the memories of that day, and the people who were lost and the impact that day had. 

We remember

We honor

We Never Forget