Aug 31, 2010 By Jim Downey 6 min read

Connellsville was not very welcoming to its former junior varsity coach Monday afternoon as the Lady Falcons shut out visiting Southmoreland, 5-0, for a non-section victory. The Lady Scots’ Jim Kessler takes over the reins after the retirement of veteran coach John Ciarimboli, coming to the Southmoreland program after serving as Bill Ricks’ assistant coach last year.

“I helped with the (Connellsville) summer program and all those girls played for us this summer,” said Kessler.

The coaches decided to go pro-set format because of the 90-plus degree heat and the match was non-section. The Lady Falcons’ Lyndsey Boors defeated Chelsea Pence, 10-5, at No. 1 singles, and teammate Lyndsey Dove defeated Chelsie Leonard by the same score at No. 2 singles. Malinda Miller completed the sweep of the singles matches with a 10-4 victory over Elizabeth Frank at No. 3 singles.

The Lady Falcons’ Carlie Terhurst and Sara Keffer defeated the Horaks, Clarissa and Clyina, 10-4, at No. 1 doubles, and the No. 2 team of Trisha Hann and Breanne Hyatt completed the sweep with a 10-1 victory over Kristy Figg and Ashley Belzer at No. 2 doubles.

Kessler is familiar with the program with daughters who have attended Southmoreland, but the first-year coach takes over a team that’s unrecognizable from the 2009 season.

“We graduated 11 seniors. Only one senior returned,” said Kessler. “This is not John’s (former coach John Ciarimboli’s) team left here.

“I don’t want them to think it’s a rebuilding year. I don’t want the mentality we’re rebuilding.”

Pence is the lone returning starting, moving up from No. 3 singles. Southmoreland plays in Section 1-AA, the home of Brownsville’s Sarah Shashura, who won the boys WPIAL Class AA singles title last spring, and traditional powers Greensburg Central Catholic and Mount Pleasant.

“Chelsea has taken on the responsibility (of playing at No. 1). I think she’s looking forward to the challenge and is becoming a leader,” said Kessler.

Kessler believes the Lady Scots will need to be successful at No. 2 and 3 singles, as well as No. 1 doubles, to finish in the top three and earn a team playoff berth.

“Chelsea will win some big matches. The other girls held their own (in a loss to Greensburg C.C.). We lost a couple of tiebreakers,” said Kessler.

Though it’s early in the season, Kessler is pleased how the team has progressed to date.

“I can see a big difference in their swings and attitude. They’re a nice group of girls,” praised Kessler. “They’re having fun.

“I don’t have the flexibility with the roster (with only 12 girls) as I did with Connellsville, but I’m having a good time at Southmoreland.”

The Lady Scots (1-1, 2-2) host California this afternoon and then travel to rival Mount Pleasant on Thursday. Connellsville (0-2, 1-3) hosts Section 1-AAA foe Franklin Regional today.

Boys golf

Laurel Highlands 210, Belle Vernon 211 – Playing without Bo Lustig, the Leopards lost a close Division I, Section 2 match on the road at Duck Hollow Golf Club.

Laurel Highlands improves to 4-0 in the section as well as overall, while Belle Vernon slips to 2-1.

The Mustangs’ Jeremy Guzy was the medalist with a 3-over 35. Derek Plaski shot a 41, and Alex Ashton finished with 42. Richard David carded a 43, and Ben Cole rounded out the scoring with a 46. John Gabriel’s 52 wasn’t used.

Brett Bishop and Tim Moore shared low honors for the visitors at 4-over 39. Brad Antal shot a 41 and Kirby Manown carded a 44. Chaz Balsano closed out the scoring with a 48. John Molchan’s 52 was thrown out.

Mount Pleasant 213, Uniontown 217 – The Vikings came away from Duck Hollow Golf Club with a key road victory, edging the Red Raiders in Division I, Section 2 action.

Mount Pleasant’s Ryan Bull was medalist with a 39. Zac Heide finished with a 41, and Cameron Swink and Mark Polcha both shot 42. Andy Yoder added a 49 to the final score. Justin Dent’s 51 was thrown out.

Uniontown’s Mason Fordyce had one of those holes golfers dread on his way to an 8-over 43, taking a 12 after two lost balls and one hit in a water hazard. Ben Sampson was the low man for the Red Raiders with a 41. Luke Wallace had a 43, and Josh Nelson scored a 44. Zack Nelson closed the scoring rounds with a 46. Chris Kovach’s 49 wasn’t used.

Uniontown (2-1, 3-1) hosts Brownsville this afternoon in a non-section match. Mount Pleasant improves to 2-2 in the section.

Connellsville 218, Albert Gallatin 235 – Duck Hollow Golf Club was abuzz with activity with the Falcons winning the third of three Division I, Section 2 matches held on the course.

Connellsville’s Tyler Stillwagon continued his fine play of late, leading the way with a 5-over 35. Shawn Bennett, playing at No. 6, shot a 41. John Leonard and Eric Harrer both finished with 45, and Jonathan Grinko closed out the scoring with a 47. John Malone’s 57 wasn’t used.

Brandon Sutton was low man for the Colonials with a 40. Pat McDonough shot a 45, and Ben Rozzi finished a stroke behind. Charlie Depp shot 49 and Brandon Kenney finished with a 55. Garrin Guesman’s 57 wasn’t used.

Connellsville breaks into the win column, improving to 1-2 in the section as well as overall. Albert Gallatin slips to 0-4.

Brownsville 278, Washington 285 – The Falcons won for the first time this season, defeating the visiting Prexies at Carmichaels Golf Club in Division II, Section 8 play.

Brownsville’s Nick Calvaresi was the medalist with a 3-over 40. Anthony Rhodes (57), Jared Gibson (59), Aaron Golembiewski (60), and Brad Britvich (62) rounded out the scoring for the Falcons. Jacob Murray’s 65 wasn’t used.

Davy Oliverio was the low man for Washington (0-2, 0-2) with a 43.

Brownsville (1-3, 1-3) takes a break from section action with a road match against Uniontown at Duck Hollow Golf Club.

California 222, Jefferson-Morgan 235 – Although the Rockets’ Zack Berkstresser was medalist with a 2-over 38, the Trojans had three golfers under 45 for a Division II, Section 8 home victory at Cedarbrook Golf Course’s Gold course.

Nick Roberts shot a 6-over 42, Eric Rucci had a 43, and Alex Roach finished with 44 for the Trojans. Derek Stein had a 46 and Blake Mudry closed out the scoring with a 47. Matt Palyas’ 48 was thrown out.

Alex Rush kept the Rockets in contention with a 41. Cameron Roberts (49), Brandon Faieta (51), and Jacob Guthrie (56) closed the scoring. Charles Mattish’s 58 wasn’t used.

California improves to 1-2 in the section and 1-3 overall. Jefferson-Morgan loses for the first time this season, slipping to 3-1 in the section as well as overall.

Frazier 222, Charleroi 238 – The Commodores took to the road and returned back to Perryopolis with a Division II, Section 2 victory over the Cougars.

Frazier’s Zach Smalich was the medalist at Mon Valley Country Club with a 6-over 42. Robert Gondura finished with a 43. Andrea Lash counted a 45, and Tyler Rock and D.J. Hudik both shot 46. Eddie Miller’s 48 wasn’t used.

Brandon Koneck and Gunner Riley shared the low round for the Cougars (0-2, 0-2) with both scoring 43.

Frazier improves to 2-0.