ROCKY HILL - The summer is officially over for thousands of disappointed students and teachers. As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler it signifies that fall is near and that the high school sport’s season is upon us. We covered football last week, so here’s a look at the other local teams and players that will be taking center stage as autumn approaches and the leaves begin to fall.

      

       Field Hockey

       Newington broke through last season, making the Class L tournament following an eight-win season. The eight wins matched the team’s win total from the previous two years. Junior Karlene Wells returns following her all-conference season a year ago and Paul Macchi will be back coaching the team for his eighth season. The Indians home-opener is Friday, Sept 18, against Southington at 3:45 p.m.

       Wethersfield has struggled over the last couple of years, but hopes to turn it around this season with the return of Amanda Lamore, who earned all-conference honors a year ago. Head coach Colleen Budaj will guide the Eagles, who open the season at home vs. E.O. Smith Friday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m.

      

       Girls Soccer

       Wethersfield came within a game of the Class L title game after winning 13 of 18 games, before losing in the semifinal round of last season’s tournament. It was the team’s best finish since 1994. Second-year head coach Emily Fanelli looks to help the team build off of the success from a year ago and will have senior goalkeeper Summer Budaj returning to protect the net. The Eagles open the season at home against Plainville Friday, Sept 11, at 6:30 p.m.

       Rocky Hill is also coming off a stellar season, winning ten regular season games before falling in the quarterfinal round. The senior tandem of Madison Nastri and Madison Stabile will be back helping veteran coach Annemarie Catania in the team’s pursuit of another tournament run. The Terriers first home contest is against crosstown rival Wethersfield Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 3:45 p.m.

       Newington is coming off a tourney appearance and has a lot of firepower returning. It could be third-year head coach Adam Wilkinson’s best roster as Mackenzie Luiz, Amanda Gagnon, Kaila Lozada, Kayla LaRosa and Lindsey Fairbanks all return following fantastic performances last season. The Indians open the season at home vs. Middletown Friday, Sept. 11, at 3:45 p.m.

       Cromwell snuck into the tourney last season in Marcelo Caetano’s third year leading the team. Goaltender Allison Bennett returns along with fellow seniors Emma Belcourt and Jamie Tine. The Panthers host Valley Regional Friday, Sept 11, at 3:45 p.m.

      

       Boys Soccer

       Newington missed the post-season after posting only three wins last season, but they have a lot of promise returning to the field this season. Head coach Jeff Brunetti enters his sixth season and has key seniors Vasco Augusto and Blake Mamaclay coming back, along with goalkeeper Zach Harmon and co-junior Joey Terranova. The Indians first home game is Wednesday, Sept. 16, against Maloney at 3:45 p.m.

       Cromwell’s squad will have several new faces this season. The team lost 11 seniors to graduation and two-time state champion head coach Jon Harder departed to coach in Middletown. Last year’s JV coach Clifford Parker will take over the reins and look to keep the winning tradition alive. The new-look Panthers will play Valley Regional Wednesday, Sept 16, in their home-opener at 3:45 p.m.

       Wethersfield won 10 regular season games and advanced to the second round of the tourney last season. Long-time coach Rob Jachym has a good group of players returning to the pitch this season. Senior goaltender Jimmy Slayton is back along with fellow senior Chris Shimwell. The Eagles will battle rival Rocky Hill to open their home schedule Wednesday, Sept 16, at 6:30 p.m.

       Rocky Hill has a storied soccer tradition and is hoping to build off last season’s 10-win season, which ended with a tournament berth. The Terriers lost several key seniors, but have a chance to kick off the year with a home win Friday, Sept. 11, when they face Bristol Eastern at 3:45 p.m.

      

       Girls Volleyball

       Head coach Debbie O’Brien is back leading Wethersfield following an 11-win season and a tournament appearance. The Eagles lost some key players to graduation, but they will have a handful of seniors returning, led by Laura Kelly. The Eagles open the season at home against Plainville Friday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m.

       Newington’s volleyball program has been put on the map because of the success of the multi-championship boy’s squads, but the girls seemed primed to take the next step. Chris Wanner takes over as the head coach and has a senior-laden group coming back. Carly Wanner-Hyde, Kaitlyn Bernacki and Sarah Ericson are all entering their senior seasons. The experienced Indians first home match is Friday, Sept 18th against rival Hall at 5:15 p.m.

       Cromwell finished 7-13 last season, narrowly missing the post-season. Head coach Tracie Capodice is entering her fifth season and has the core of the team returning, including captain Araya Lessard, who led the team in kills and blocks a year ago. Abena Asante will also be back along with sophomore Amaya Feitel, who should assume the setter duties. The Panthers open with Haddam-Killingworth at home Friday, Sept 11, at 5:30 p.m.

       Coach Scott Ferguson again leads the Rocky Hill Terriers, who had a young roster last season and are coming off a down year. Senior Julie Slavin will help lead a talented group that includes juniors Samantha Brady (setter) and Ivana DiGrazia. The Terriers first home match is Monday, Sept 14, against E.O. Smith at 5:45 p.m.

      

       Cross Country

       Cromwell girls have a great group of runners returning, led by junior Nikki Bitinatis, who finished sixth at last season’s finals. Senior Shelly Delaney and sophomore Alana Haimdeh will also be covering a lot ground for the Panthers. Senior DaVaugh Dawkins and junior Alec Drzewiecki will pace the boys. The teams will host the CT River Valley Championships at Cromwell High School Saturday, Sept. 19, starting at 8:30 a.m.

       Senior Rebecca Hines and junior Molly Desrochers return for Wethersfield. The boys will be led across the county by seniors Troy Stegman and Brendan Livingston. The Eagles host a meet against Bristol Eastern Tuesday, Sept. 22, starting at 4 p.m.

       Senior Jessica Greenspan and sophomore Reva Shan will head a talented group of girls at Rocky Hill. The boys will have several runners returning, including seniors Kyle Devine and Billy Crafa. Junior Cameron Cheyney and sophomore Jason Oostendorp will also be back blazing trails. The Terriers host Berlin at Elm Ridge Park Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 3:45 p.m.

       Junior Lucia Visconti and sophomore Angelina Zacharias will head the pack of runners at Newington. Thomas Doyle will set the pace for the boy’s team. The Indians welcome Bristol Central to John Wallace Middle School Thursday, Sept. 17, at 3:45 p.m.

      

       Girls Swimming & Diving

       Wethersfield finished as the runner-up in the Class M finals a year ago and will again be a force to be reckoned with in the water. Seniors Paige Landers, Alyssa Difiore and Taylor Galusha will assume the leadership roles and sophomore Maura Stewart will also be a key factor. Diver Caroline Logozzo is entering her senior season following a third-place finish at the Class M finals a year ago. Head coach Lee Schwartman’s squad has their first meet at home against rival Hall, Friday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m.

       Rocky Hill has a good group returning, led by senior Brooke Chao and junior Kate Sullivan. The Terriers welcome East Catholic for their first home meet Friday, Sept. 18, at 3:45 p.m.

       Junior Lindsey Mangiafico will make waves for Newington this season. The Indians open the season hosting Manchester Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 3:45 p.m.

       Cromwell’s senior Holly Gamer will lead the aquatic Panthers this season.

      

       Questions? Comments? Email Josh Howard at josh@rarereminder.com