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Volleyball 12–6 New England Semifinalists Founders League Champions One year after their second straight trip to the Championship game and graduating many key starters, this team again put together an inspiring season, making it to the New England tournament for the fifth consecutive year. Behind the steady, all-around play of captain Abby Conroy ’06 and Alex Lauren ’06, the 2005 squad shocked undefeated and eventual New England Champ Hotchkiss (3–0) to win the Founders League title. Other key wins included two against Loomis and, in the first round of the New England Tournament, an upset win over Miss Porter’s (3–1). Kanako Nakarai ’06 was the team’s defensive specialist and was a League All-Star along with Conroy and Lauren. Kiel Stroupe ’06 led the powerful attack from the right side of the court all season. With several talented sophomores making up the bulk of this team, the next two years look promising.
Jackee Snikeris ’07 in action against Greenwich at home in the season opener
the offensive production was uneven, Western New England League All-Stars Shayna Bryan ’06 (15 goals) and co-captain Liz Carlos ’06 (12 goals, 15 assists), along with co-captain Meg Edwards ’06, led the team all season. Next year’s defense will be tough, with Colleen Sweeney ’07 in goal (eight shutouts this year) and Founders League All-Star defender Holly Donaldson ’07 as captain. Boys’ Soccer 9–6–2 This was an uneven season for this wellbalanced team, but the chemistry and hard work led to several spectacular wins. Taft Bulletin Winter 2006
Peter Frew ’75
The most impressive games came against the strongest teams in New England, including a convincing 3–0 decision over eventual New England champion Avon. Later in the season, Taft also knocked off tournament-bound Choate (2–1) and Loomis (1–0) to stay undefeated at home (6–0–1) for the season. The stingy team defense was led by All-New England stopper Woody Redpath ’06, co-captain Toren Kutnick ’06, and Founders League All-Star Andrew Strumolo ’06. In the midfield, Gordon Atkins ’07 and Will Minter ’06 ran the show, while up front Pat Clancy ’07 and Alex Kremer ’07 were a force throughout the season.
Field Hockey 15–1–1 New England Finalists Founders League Champions This was one of the great seasons for a program that has seen many strong teams over the years. Taft overpowered some opponents (Kent 8–0, Choate 5–1) and then played their best games against the other top-ranked teams (Deerfield 3–0, Westminster 3–0). The regular season finale saw Taft (12–0–1) at their peak in defeating Hotchkiss (also 12–0–1) with two first-half goals—the second coming with no time on the clock—to win 2–1. That inspiring victory secured the Founders League title, the Western New England League title, and the #1 ranking for all of New England. The tournament started with a tight 2–1 home victory over Milton, followed by an exciting 3–2 win over rival Greenwich Academy— to avenge a 3–3 tie during the regular