FOOTBALL

PAL third graders win Nashua Elks Super Bowl

When the Nashua PAL Force organization canceled its “Third Grade Super Bowl” jamboree at Nashua High School North at the last minute, the Nashua Elks Crusaders not only stepped up for the kids to to hold a similar event at Stellos Stadium, they graciously extended an invitation to the PAL Force third graders.

The Force took full advantage of the invitation, going undefeated with victories over the Hudson/Litchfield Bears, their crosstown friends and event hosts (Elks Crusaders) and a come-from-behind win over the Salem Rams.

This year’s PAL third grade team included Keegan Mills, Brody Mills, Patrick Melanson, Robby Long, James Heitmiller, Logan Mathewson, Jaiden Dupont, Chris Heitmiller, John Jigargian, Shea Philbrook, Owen Finn, Donovan LaBate, Mike Zabriskie, Jack Zabriskie, Max Ackerman, Shaun Marion and Kyle Kulikowski.

Nashua Middle Schoolers, coaches named All-Stars

Seven Nashua middle school football players and four coaches were named to the 2010-11 UnderArmor American Youth Football and Cheer All Star Tournament to be held in early November at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The All-Star lineup will feature eight teams from the East Coast facing eight teams from the West Coast battling it out for the title of AYF National All-Star Champions. Colby Gunter, Connor Baldassaro, Demitri Jackson and Matt Lavallee were selected from the PAL Force middle school squad, while Andrew DeCarteret, Kevin Smith and Tyler Boudreau made the team from the Nashua Elks Crusaders. The New Hampshire coaching staff includes Jason Kamman and Scott Baldassaro from the PAL coaching staff, and Steve Boule and Mike Smith from the Elks staff.

CHEERLEADING

PAL Mini Mites, Middle Schoolers win state titles

The Nashua Police Athletic League Force middle school cheerleading squad earned first place at last week’s New Hampshire Youth Football and Spirit Conference Championships at the Whittemore Center on the University of New Hampshire campus in Durham.

Competeing in the large team-advanced skills division, the girls’ field topping performance advanced them to the New England Regional Championships in the Verizon Center in Manchester on Nov. 20.

Competing on the PAL squad were Morgane MacKay, Alicia Savage, Sara Bevilacqua, Alexandra Thompson, Elizabeth Ellison, Bryanna Griffin, Justice Grondin, Jamie Lavoie, Amanda Shaughnessy, Hailey Fraize, Briana Terrizzi, Alyssa Burns, Holly Burns, Hailey Dube, Victoria Grady, Victoria Poulin, Kailey Dozois, Brianna Lyons, Carmen Butler, Aneisha Canto, Alcia Columb, Amanda Boudrot and Ari Foreman.

The PAL Force Mini-Mites (U7) cheerleading squad also earned the top spot at last weekend’s NHYFSC Championships.

Competing on the PAL squad were Paige Brooks, Nicole Valncia, Kaylie Keegan, Elizabeth Klayton, Mabel Winn, Kendall Dwyer, Madison Winnett, Halee Mele, Lauren Grondin, Jaiden Ackerman, Emily Wynne, Laura Valencia, Grace Books, Samantha Sullivan, Alyssa Stanton and Lillian Langlois.

HOCKEY

Squirt

Panthers II comeback falls short against Wilmington

After being down 6-1 in the third period, the Nashua Panthers Squirt II stormed back with four third period goals to fall just short of tying the game and eventually losing to Wilmington (Mass.) II, 6-5.

Stephen Licata opened the scoring for the Panthers in the second period with an assist by Nick Dapolito. At the halfway point of the third period the flood gates opened with a goal by Dapolito. A minute and a half later, Isaiah Kepnes scored on a breakaway to get the Panthers back in the game. Elise Yabroudy scored her first goal of the season with just under two minutes to play to close the gap to two goals. And with less than a minute left on the clock, Ian Morse notched his first goal of the season to cut the lead to one. The Panthers had a couple of quality scoring chances after pulling the goalie, but Wilmington held on for the win.

PeeWee

Northern Cyclones Minor Elites go 3-0 in NEHL action

The Cyclones showed their offensive power this weekend scoring a total of 17 goals in three games. Mitchell Pelletier (five goals, two assists) and Joey Paige (four goals) led the Cyclones offensively.

In Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Portland Pirates, although penalties plagued the team, the boys managed to stay on top with a 4-3 victory. Pelletier scored the opening goal assisted by Ben Peterson.

Paige earned the second in the period assisted by Ryan Fitzgerald. And Eric Langley banked one in on the power play assisted by Michael Zogin.

The only other goal for the Cyclones came in the second by Peterson, who once again zipped it top left corner assisted by his linemates Dominic Frederico and Pelletier.

Strong defense by Nate Newton, Bobby Haverty, Danny Shea and Eric Pica and great goaltending by Curtis Wirbal definitely kept the Cyclones on top while being down a man for six minutes in the third.

In Game two, Portland came out strong scoring the first two, but the Cyclones rebounded. Brendan Martin got the team on the board assisted by Fitzgerald. In the second, the defense and strong goaltending by Jack Moro held the Pirates to only one goal while the Cyclones scored three – Langley assisted by Connor Berry and Haverty; Quinn Tucker assisted by Pica; and Paige unassisted.

With the score 5-3 heading into the third, Pelletier and Davin Granahan both scored unassisted, and Paige knocked in the insurance goal with 1:46 left assisted by Martin giving them the 7-4 victory.

The Cyclones faced for the first time the Worcester Crusaders on Sunday and what a game it was.

The hats were thrown for Pelletier, who also got an assist on the opening Cyclone goal scored by Langley.

Both Martin and Berry earned assists on Pelletier’s goals.

Tucker popped one in midway through the second and Paige from Berry late in the second gave the Cyclones the lead.

With a tie game half way through the third, Pelletier scored his third only seconds after the Crusaders scored to tie it.

The 6-5 victory was a great end to a hard fought weekend earning them a greatly needed six points.

SOCCER

U14 Cobras win a pair

The Nashua U14 Cobras visited the Hollis Cavaliers. Kenny Robinson started the scoring for the Cobras with a crossing pass from Evan Lowe. Max Leatherman and Mitchell DeMinico added to the Cobras lead with assists from Nick LaBate.

Hollis scored to cut into the Cobra lead but Ryan Guidaboni scored on a penalty kick before the half.

Keeper Wesley Vanderburgh with support from Garrett Prince, Alexandre DePenasse, David Wang and Sean Fenlon held off the Hollis attacks in the second half to hold on for the 4-2 win.

The Hanover Lighting SC visited the Nashua U14 Cobras. The teams played to a scoreless half after strong defensive play by keeper Ryan Naber, Abigail MacIntosh, Andrei Jungkman and Matt Migneault.

Kennedy Dowling started the attack with a pass from the wing to Kenny Robinson for a goal. Srishail Thapa added to the lead on a header from a crossing pass from Ryan Guidaboni. Naber and the defense held on for a 2-0 win.

SWIMMING

Nashua Y opens strong

The Greater Nashua YMCA swim team began the 2010 season with a splash. The team traveled to White River Junction to swim against the Upper Valley Aquatic Club and Executive Health and Swim Club of Manchester.

“It’s important for our team to achieve the individual progress and personal best times early in the season,” head coach Corey Sullivan said.

Thirty-seven Storm swimmers achieved personal best times during the meet. Among the top performances included, Davis Johnson who won the 100M Fly. Bryan-Norris Laborera won 50-meter backstroke, while coming in second in his age bracket in both 50-meter butterfly and 200-meter freestyle. Big brother Carl-Nico Laborera won the 100-meter breaststroke, while also taking two seconds in the 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter freestyle.

Other individual firsts were taken by Khristoffer Ortiz (200 IM) and Jordan Teirney (100 fly). While Matthew Puksta won two events; the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter breaststroke.

The Storms next meet is in Goffstown at the YMCA Allard Center. For more information about the Greater Nashua YMCA and the Storm Swim team call 598-1533 or visit www.nmymca.org.