Sport Shorts

The Hazlet Hawk Junior PeeWees became the first Hazlet Pop Warner team to win a Jersey Shore League Championship with a 13-6 victory over the Lacey Lions. The Hawks completed a perfect 12-0 season with the victory. Both teams traded turnovers as the Hawks’ George Davis and Dallas Ouano came up with big plays, thwarting the Lions’ drives. The Hawks trailed for only the second time all season when the Lions scored with less than minute to go in the first half. The Hawks came out strong in the second half as they scored on an Eddie Terry sweep, tying the score at 6-6. The PAT was good as Robert Palmer threw to John Krajunas, who made a great diving catch to give the Hawks a 7-6 lead. The Hawks continued their scoring as they drove down the field on the running of Marcus Mandeville and Devin Fitzpatrick. Palmer capped off the drive with a one-yard QB sneak. Lacey showed no quit as they drove down the field, but the Hawks’ defense, led by John Gazerwitz, Nathan Rucinski and Mike Visconi, stiffened, and Terry forced a fumble, solidifying the Hawks’ first championship. The remainder of the championship squad consists of Peter Brown, Chris Van Fechtman, C.J. Haines, Cody Mooney, Robert Bandy, Mark Stancati, Anthony Davino, Matt Argudo, Nick Sparacello, J.P. Byrne, Chris Lobello and Richie Lafaman. Injured for the game, but contributing greatly to the team’s season, were Jerry Dean and Brian Whalen. The head coach was Greg Fitzpatrick, and he was assisted by Ken Mandeville, Tom Furlong, Bobby Lanno, Mike Gavrilides, Eddie Hernandez and C.J. Emslie.

The Hazlet Wave, an U14 boys’ premier soccer team, ended its fall season on a high note by winning the Thanksgiving Lacey Tournament. The boys played two games Friday. The first game was 5-0 win against the Robinson Revolution on goals by Scott Latham (assisted by Tom Grobelny), Jimmy Pineda, two goals (assists by Luis Martinez and Gerard Marrone), and Sean Lennon, two goals (both unassisted). Their second game was a 3-1 win against the Clifton Stallions on goals by Conrad Symber (assist by Lennon) and Jimmy Pineda, two goals (assists by Symber and Lennon). The final game of the tournament, played Saturday, was a close game — 1-0 against the RPSA Conquistadores. The only score of the game was on a penalty kick taken by Sean Lennon. The offensive and defensive players Justin Cesario, Tommy Devlin, Greg Godzwon, Angel Martinez, and Mike Sullivan did an exceptional job of keeping the ball away from their opponents. Goalie Robby Hollywood played an outstanding series in allowing only one goal in the tournament. Gene Lennon coached Hazlet.