Let’s start with a trivia question: Who was the last team to beat Masuk in the SWC?
If you guessed Newtown in the 2023 SWC championship game, you would be correct. That win by the Nighthawks snapped a 90-game league winning streak by the Panthers.
So who was the last time to beat Masuk before Newtown did it?
Well you’d actually have to go back to the 2016 season when Newtown did it again! But how about before that?
Who was the last team other than Newtown to knock off the Panthers? Actually, earlier that same 2016 season, Brookfield defeated Masuk, as well.
In other words, it’s been nine years since somebody other than Newtown has topped the Panthers in league play.
Can anybody do it this year?
Masuk’s overall win streak stands at 32 games, if you include last year’s 27-0 record and the five wins it took to win the 2023 state title, as well.
Are there teams in the SWC that can knock off the Panthers this season?
Stayed tune.
Here is a look at this year’s SWC:
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BETHEL
Coach/Years: Jill O’Connell, 2nd
2024 Record/Playoffs: 9-12, lost to Berlin 8-3 in the first round of the CIAC Class L tournament.
Top Players Returning: Emily Turek Sr., SS-P; Katelyn Mould, Sr. 3B-1B; Vicky Dembeck Jr., CF; Giselle Parisi, Jr., C.
Key Newcomers: Kendall Mietz, Fr., OF; Giuliana Mazzeo, Fr., 1B/OF; Morgan Helbig, Fr., P-OF.
Outlook: Bethel has an extremely young team this season, as the roster includes 15 freshmen … “Which I’m absolutely ecstatic about,” O’Connell said. Now in her second year as varsity coach, O’Connell plans on starting to develop the culture of the program she wants to build. Dembeck was an All-SWC player a year ago.
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BROOKFIELD
Coach/Years: Alyssa Lionetti, 1st.
2024 Record/Playoffs: 17-6; lost to Guilford in the CIAC Class L quarterfinals.
Key Players Returning: Sydney Miller, Jr, P/1B; Chloe Fitzgerald, Sr, CF; Isabella Pontecorvo, Sr. RF/1B;
Top Newcomers: Lila Conrad, Fr, P; Olivia Sinapi, Fr, SS
Outlook: After three years as a varsity assistant, Lionetti takes over the program this spring. Brookfield, which went 10-1 in the SWC Patriot Division, lost seven seniors from last year’s squad, but with Miller back in the circle the Bobcats will still be in a lot of games. A “mix of seasoned returners and talented newcomers should set us up for a successful season,” Lionetti said. The squad is looking to win some big SWC games this year and hope to make it deeper into the state tournament.
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BUNNELL
Coach/Years: Scotty Nails, 2nd.
2024 Record/Playoffs: 6-14, no playoffs
Top Players Returning: Sydney Sedlock, Sr., OF; Mimi Cabrera, Jr., 2B; Parker Smith, Soph., P-IF.
Key Newcomers: Bella Caramanica, Sr., SS-OF; Shea Toth, Fr., P-1B-OF; Leilani Navarro, Fr., P-SS
Outlook: The good news is that Bunnell has good numbers with 20 players on its roster. The not-so-good news is 13 of those are either sophomores or a freshmen so it should be another growing year for the Bulldogs. That being said, there is talent in the likes of Sedlock and Cabrera, who were All-SWC Colonial League selections a year ago. And Caramanica, who has already committed to play at Barry University, is a transfer from six-time state champ Masuk. Three pitchers are also on the roster, so Nails will have decisions depending on how games are going.
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IMMACULATE
Coaches: Brian Lugo and Drew Hall
2024 Record/Playoffs: 12-12, lost to Coventry 6-5 in CIAC Class S quarterfinals.
Top Players Returning: Olivia Lugo, Sr., C; Cami O’Rourke, Sr., SS; Sophia Schnatz, Sr., P; Karina Soni, Sr., 3B; Kaylee Hall, Sr., 3B.
Key Newcomers: Nora Whitmore, Soph., OF; Laurel Pucci, Soph.; Caroline Murray, Soph.
Outlook: The Mustangs almost pulled the upset of the state tournament last season when it pushed eventual state champ Coventry to a 6-5 decision in the quarterfinals a year ago, showing a team with plenty of talent. Five senior leaders are all expected to play key roles and a strong sophomore class will truly make an even bigger impact this season. One curve ball for Immaculate: Head coach William Mackinnon stepped down right before the start of the season, so Lugo and Hall, assistant coaches, are still up to fill the void this spring.
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KOLBE CATHEDRAL
Coach/Years: Chris Smith
2024 Record/Playoffs: 7-13, no playoffs
Top Players Returning: McKayla Green, Sr.; Areanny Vasquez, Sr.; Nariyah Robinson, Sr.; Jaylynn Benjamin, Jr.; Ruby Mendez-Tejeda, Soph.; Yoselyn Vargas, Soph.; Aaliyah Martinez, Jr.
Key Newcomers: Tyiana Conquest, Soph.; Ryan Ivory Rdriquez.
Outlook: The Cougars have a young team this season with just three seniors, according to Smith, but the coach is hoping that leadership can light a fire under some of the younger players. Kolbe just missed the state tournament by a single win last season. Smith knows he has some inexperience as certain spots on the field this season, but he’s hoping to see some young talent raise their game and help the team find at least one more win—if not more.
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JOEL BARLOW
Coach/Years: Lauren Greywacz/1st
2024 Record/Playoffs: 6-14, no playoffs.
Top Players Returning: Maggie Jiminez, Sr., P; Sophia Kelly, Jr., C; Alisen McTague, Soph, 3B
Key Newcomers: Morgan Ross, Jr., SS; Sofia Huydic, Fr., IF.
Outlook: After 14 years at Ridgefield High, Greywacz has taken over the Barlow program this spring and the veteran coach is focused on building fundamentals and knowledge of the game. Jimenez and Alyssa Marushak are the lone two seniors listed on the JB roster and a trio of juniors includes Natalie Wantke. That means eight of the spots on the 14-player roster are sophomores and freshmen.
• • •
MASUK
Coach/Years: Leigh Barone/11th
2024 Record/Playoffs: 27-0, SWC Champions, CIAC Class L State Champions.
Top Players Returning: Julia Bacoulis, Sr., P; Sofia Lieto, Sr., 2B; Alyssa Castillo, Sr., C; Ava Moretti, Sr.; Aubrey Zvovushe-Ramos, Sr., OF; Madison Aguirre, Sr.; Grace Ely, Jr., SS; Juliana Falcone, Soph..
Key Newcomers: Eleven freshmen have joined the program.
Outlook: The Panthers return eight of nine starters from last year’s roster. In other words, after 31 straight wins dating back to the 2023 SWC championship game, all roads to the SWC and Class L title once again go through Monroe. Bacoulis is the defending Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year and while the Panthers did lose an all-state outfielder, there is plenty of gas in the tank to get this bus back to Storrs come June.
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NEW FAIRFIELD
Coach/Years: Mary Gallucci
2024 Record/Playoffs: 11-11, lost to Lewis Mills in the CIAC Class M first round.
Top Players Returning: Gianna Garafola, Sr., C; Briana Puff, Sr., P-SS; Lindsey Briggs, Soph., SS-2B; Sarah Ottusch, Soph, P.; Brooke Malanaphy, Jr., OF; Sophia Roldan, Jr., 3B; Sophie Callahan, Soph.< CF; Claire Stogner, Soph., 2B.
Key Newcomers: Alex Van Leuven, Fr.; Gig LeRose, Fr.
Outlook: The Rebels are certainly looking to better last year’s .500 performance and could be in a position to do just that. It’s a veteran group that Gallucci has returning to the diamond. The coach is hoping with those returning players coupled with some key younger players stepping up that New Fairfield could grow even more this season. The seniors are certainly surrounded by some young talent. Garafola is an All-SWC and All-State player; while Puff and Briggs are both All-SWC Patriot League players.
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NEW MILFORD
Coach/Years: Rob Farmer, 1st
2024 Record/Playoffs: 14-9 overall, lost to Newtown in the SWC semifinals and lost to Fitch in the first round of the CIAC Class L tournament.
Top Players Returning: Nea Plisko, Sr., P; Ava Kopp, Sr., 3B; Cienna McNamara, Soph, SS.
Key Newcomers: Regan O’Loughlin, Jr., OF; Lia Manka, Jr., IF; Kelsey Blom, So., IF; Lilly Fortier, So., C; Lydia Rocky, Fr., P.
Outlook: Farmer had been with Masuk’s powerful SWC program as an assistant coach before relocating to North Carolina, but the draw of CT softball—and some of his private lesson players—drew him back to take over the New Milford job. And, hope springs eternal on campus. The team’s slogan is “It’s All About the Climb,” and serves as a reminder that every step forward brings us closer to the squad’s full potential, Farmer said. A mix of veteran experience and some youthful energy should keep New Milford in the SWC playoff mix and could surprise a few teams in the state tournament.
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NEWTOWN
Coach/Years: Megan Goyda, 2nd.
2024 Record Playoffs: 18-8, finished as SWC semifinalists, and lost to Cheshire 5-0 in the CIAC Class LL quarterfinals.
Top Players Returning: Madison Thoesen, Sr., P-SS; Sophia Caruso, Sr, C-3B; Addy Cordova, Jr., P-SS; Gabby Ansman, Jr., 1B.
Top Newcomers: Reagan Shenzer, Fr., OF-C.
Outlook: Once again, Newtown is expected to be a contender in the SWC and a team that could make a deep run into the postseason. Solid senior leadership and strong returnees are the strength of this year’s Newtown group, but the Nighthawks also have some young talent that could catch opponents off guard. The Central Connecticut-bound Thoesen is a legit front-line starter who can win any game. Goyda is also expecting good things about her offense this season, so the Nighthawks could put up some runs.
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NOTRE DAME PREP
Coach/Years: Jamie Bartone, 3rd
2024 Record/Playoffs: 11-11, lost in first round of SWC tournament and state tournament.
Top Players Returning: Mekenzie Revere, Sr., P; Erika Fabian, Jr., P-Util; Molly Garfield, Soph., CF; Jess Holton, Soph, C; Bella Holton, Soph., 1B-Util.
Key Newcomers: Alexis Revere, Fr.; Gigi Quatrucci, Fr.; Carmen Hernandez, Fr.
Outlook: The Lancers are young, but some key players return—the biggest of which, Bartone said, is the team’s pitcher, Mekenzie Revere. Notre Dame Prep is setting its goals high: The Lancers want to play for a league and state title this season. Bartone admits she has a puzzle before her, but thinks she has the pieces to make a surprise run in the postseason.
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POMPERAUG
Coach/Years: Frank Durante, 3rd season
2024 Record/Playoffs: 14-10. Lost to Masuk in SWC Semi-finals, Lost to St. Joe’s second round of Class States
Key Players Returning: Julia Carter, Sr., SS; Corinne Sartor, Jr., CF; Claudia Burrus, Jr., C;
Top Newcomers: To be determined.
Outlook: The Panthers graduated eight seniors from a year ago, so it’s a young team with respect to varsity game time experience. The team will be led by a trio of talented captains (Carter, Sartor and Burrus) who have excelled at bringing this young team together. Despite being an inexperienced team, Durante believe we have the pieces to make some noise in the highly competitive SWC. “I think we may even ‘surprise’ a few teams on the relentless level of play that we will bring to all competition,” the coach predicted. He admitted there are a lot of unknowns, but Durante is excited to see what his team can do.
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STRATFORD
Coach/Years: Gary Sherrick, 5th year.
2024 Record/Playoffs: 11-10, lost to Guilford in the first round of the CIAC Class L tournament.
Key Players Returning: Carolyne Burlone, Sr., C; Shyan Rolle, Sr., SS; Morgan Letizia, Jr., P; Ashlyn Tracy, Jr., OF-1B-P.
Key Newcomers: To be announced.
Outlook: Stratford’s goals for 2025 would be to qualify for the state tournament again, but also find a way to get into the always competitive SWC playoffs, too. Sherrick has one of his smallest rosters to date, the Red Devils have a the ability to mix and match players on the field and in the line-up, allowing them to be more versatile and creatives. Burlone is a returning All-State player who leads a group of seven seniors.
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WESTON
Head Coach/Years: Stacie Reisner, 7th
2024 Record/Playoffs: 4-16, no playoffs
Key Players Returning: Ashley McCain, Jr.; Alice Sullivan, Jr.; Cameron Duppstadt, Jr.; Sarah Lawler, Jr.; Kayla Liao, Jr.; Lily Moskoff, Jr.
Key Newcomers: Eight incoming freshmen.
Outlook: There is not a single senior on the Weston roster, so the Trojans enter the campaign with a very young squad. Six juniors will lead the way, meaning the other nine spots on the roster are filled by eight freshmen and one sophomore. Reisner just wants to see improvement from her team this season and increased competitiveness.
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