Hockey: 2011-12 Season Recap

•  Team Continued into State Playoffs

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Junior Will Paro skates longside barrier after assisting with score for Nutley at Hackensack's Ice House.

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Nutley attack attemps to even the score in the Glen Rock match at the Ice House.

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Sophomore defenseman Anthony Gandolfi is the Assistant Captain of the Nutley team. He made firistr team, all-conference this season.

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The barrier-free team box at the Ice House enabled this view of the Nutley coaching staff headed by Eric Pucio (second from right).

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Sophomore goalie Alec Astorga on defense while teammate deflects attack by Montclair-Kimberly in the Saturday, Feb. 25 match.

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Nutley hockey players at the Feb. 25 awards program at the Codey Arena.

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Sophomore Ryan Demgard (with puck far left) on power play in opening period of West Orange match. Nutley was scoreless in the first period while West Orange jumped to an early 2-0 lead.

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Nutley captain David Fierro battles in attempt to make the Raiders' opening score in match with West Orange.

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Nutley's team captain Dave Fierro (center) challenges Ben Arden of Livingston in the final seconds of the Dec. 10 match. The Highlanders came from behind scoring three goals in the final two minutes of the Super Essex Conference match.

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Nutley's right forward Ryan Demgard on the attack in opening period against West Orange.

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Nutley sophomore Michael Conca in opening period of West Orange match.

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Matt Basile (center) takes on Livingston's Ben Arden (left) in final two minutes of action Dec. 10 at the Codey Arena.

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Sophomore Ryan Demgard sets up a second period goal for Nutley in the February 11 dual with /west Orange High.

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The clock ran out before junior Will Paro finished this drive that ended the second period in Nutley's Feb. 11 match with West Orange Paro is the assistant captain of the Nutley team.

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That's Capt. Dave Fierro leading the attack that led to a Nutley goal late in the final period of the Nutley-West Orange match on Feb. 11. Nutley scored two late goals to win 2-1 in the Saturday night contest at the Codey Arena.

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Sophomore Matt Basille won this battle for control as Nutley fought for its final goal in the third period against West Orange.

Feb 17, 2012 – With a team loaded with freshman, sophomore and junior stellar players, Nutley High will have much to celebrate when next year's hockey season arrives. The team ended the 2011-12 season in fierce non-stop state tournament match against Glen Rock Tuesday at the Ice House in Hackensack. The Bergen County team prevailed it what surely was one of the best-played games of the season.

The Nutley score came in the second period with the two championship teams clashing continuously through the final minutes with Glen Rich clinching the victory with seconds left on the scoreboard. Although NJHometown photos from the game are featured with this report, individual game stats were not available.

Post-season games for Nutley also included a 5-1 loss to Montclair Kimberly in competition for the the McInnis Cup on Saturday, Feb. 25, Will Paro scored Nutley's lone goal late in the first period

Nutley 4-3 Over Verona

Nutley edged out a 4-3 victory over Verona in the semifinal round for the McInnis Cup. That matched on Feb. 20 included goals by freshman Mike Frade with assists by Richie LaFuria and Ryan Demgard, a second period goal by David Fierro with an assist by Will Paro, and two third period goals, Will Paro assisted by Justin Souza and an unassisted score with just 1:33 left by Fierro. Goalie Alec Astorga had an almost unbelievable 50 saves (Matt Brehn for Verona had 15.)

Nutley's post season series began with a 7-0 shutout over Monroe on Feb. 17 at the Codey Arena. Will Paro and David Fierro each scored two Nutley goals. Other scores were contributed by Ryan Demgard, Mike Conca and Justin Souza. Scoring assists agaist Monroe: Ryam Demgard 3, Will Paro and David Fierro 2, and one each for Mike Conca, Mike Frade, Gandolfi and Jake Giordano.

Season Recap: 14 Victories vs. 10 Loses

Nutley's season this year is one of the best ever - not only in the number of victories, 14 against 10 loses, but in the growth of the sport at Nutley High. Nutley school trustee Fred Scalera noted at Monday's last night's Board of Education meeting that next year's returning soccer players will make up what will be the largest team in the past 36 years in the history of the sport at Nutley High.

"And looking ahead ti 2014, we'll have the largest hockey team in 40 years," Scalera said.

Nutley lost its chance this year for regional honors this past Saturday when Montclair Kimberly overpowered the Raiders 5-1 in the final round of the annual McInnis Cup. Nutley junior Will Paro's goal late in the first period turned out to be Nutley's only score of the match.

Nutley sophomore goalie Alex Astorga had 43 saves in the game and his season total so far is among the highest in the state.

(Send corrections and comments to news@njhometown.com)

Nutley 7, Monroe 0 - Friday, Jan. 17

Nutley's red-hot hockey team picked up its fifth consecutive win today shutting out Monroe High School 7-0 at the Codey Arena in West Orange. Today's victory, the fifth consecutive win in a demanding schedule that included five games -- all victories - starting with an 8-3 drubbing of Millburn this month.

Not to undermine any of Nutley's outstanding players but adding to the excitement of this season is the spectacular performance of a freshman, Will Paro, who consistently has competed as if he were a stellar senior member of the team. Paro, as an example, scored two of Nutley's seven goals and assisted on two others in today's game.

Other scoring today: Sophomore Ryan Demgard with an assist by Mike Frade with 5:39 left in the opening period, and sophomore Mike Conca with assists by Demgard and sophomore Jake Giordano with 1:32 left in the period.

Justin Sousa and Demgard scored the only goal in the second period. Paro and Fierro scored the two goals in the final period.

Earlier this week, Nutley captured a 6-4 win over Johnson Nigh School of Clark on Tuesday. And last Saturday, it was a close match with West Orange leading 1-0 until the final minutes when Nutley scored back-to-back goals for a 2-1 victory. Those winning goals came from Mike Conc with assists by David Fierro and Will Paro, and by assistant team captain Will Paro and Mike Conca.

Photos take at the West Orange match are also included with this report.

The Nutley team's three coaches are backed up (and the team financially supported) by a strong booster group of parents and friends including several former players. Head coaches Eric Puzio, Chuck Baker and Mike Falco combine to mentor both the varsity and jayvee teams.

Juniors Dave Fierro, the team captain, and Will Paro, assistant captain, are the two high-scoring players for the Raiders. Capt. Fierro, with assists by his freshman lieutenant, opened today's match with Nutley's first score at 11:07 in the first stanza and the pair closed the game scoring a final goal with 4:18 left to play.

With the season ending soon, Nutley's upcoming schedule, at least at this writing, is not clear. The soccer coaches, often with assists by the strong support of parents, seem to be charged with the responsibility of arranging the soccer schedule with other high schools. A practice session has been scheduled for this coming Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in the Codey Arena.

The Nutley team

ted yesterday's match with Montclair by scoring two quick first-period goals and another late in the third stanza for a final 3-1 victory.

High scoring for Nutley this season is freshman Michael Frade who wasted no time last night in scoring the Raiders' first goal with an assist by Ryan Demgard at 13:52 in the opening period. Two minutes later, Nutley team captain Dave Fierro connected with an unassisted score for a 2-1 lead that continued into the final third period.

Montclair's Evan Janifer scored midway thru the third period but three Nutley players teamed for a final score with just 2:11 left in the match to clinch the victory. It was sophomore Ryan Demgard who scored the Raiders' third goal with both Mike Frade and Jack Giordano credited with assists.

Sophomore goalie Alec Astorga, a sophomore, had 33 saves for Nutley while Montclair's Hannan Synnott had 37.

Nutley 8, Millburn 3 on Feb. 3

Feb. 3, 2012 (Fri.) -- Hockey standouts Mike Frade, David Fierro and Ryan Demgard opened Nutley's first period with goals to rally the Raiders to 3-1 first period jump start over Millburn after last Wednesday's 9-3 hockey loss to Montclair Kimberly. The win over Millburn evens Nutley's season record at 9-9.
Team captain David Fierro scored four goals in the match while the Raiders' star freshman, Michael Frade, added two scores. Frade scored first with an assist by Ryan Demgard giving Nutley at 3-1 first period lead.

Nutley continued to showcase its power in the second period with Fierro leading off with two goals and sophomore Mike Conca adding another. Fierro's scores were assisted by Anthony Gandolfi, Will Paro (2) and Mike Conca.

Freshman Mike Grade, unassisted, scored the only Nutley goal in the final period. Millburn's Philip Pikus and Josh Pikus also scored in the final stanza.

Nutley's aggressiveness was evidenced by the team's total of 63 shots at the Millburn goal while permitting Millers only eight shots in return.

Nutley plays next at 6:45 p.m. this Firday against Montclair High School.

Montclair Kimberly 9, Nutley 3 on Feb. 1

Feb. 1, 2012 (Wed.) -- A strong Montclair Kimberly hockey team scored three points in the opening period and was never headed in a 9-3 triumph over Nutley Wednesday night (Feb. 1).

It wasn't until the second period, after Montclair had scored three goals that Nutley's Mike Frade was able to break through with the Raiders' first score. David Fierro with an assist by Patrick Scott gave Nutley its second goal late in the same period but by then Montclair Kimberly had taken a 6-2 lead that was bettered to 7-2 as teams began the final period.

Kimmberly upped the score to 9-2 before Mike Conca, with just 1:14 left in the match, scored unassisted to set the final outcome a 9-3 in Kimberly's favor.

Scoring for Montclair Kimberly: First period: Mark Bowen with assists by Eddie Haracz and Nick Picinic at 13:00 and Dyland Parker with assists by Nick Picnic and Kyle Clark at 9:01. Kimberly scored four times in the second period: Eddie Haracz (C.J. Geering), Eddie Haracz (Alex Morse and Geering), Kylan Parker and Mark Brown.

Nutley goalie Ales Astorga had 48 saves.

Red Bank 2, Nutley 1 on January 30

Jan. 30, 2012 (Fri.) -- Nutley sophomore Matt Basile scored Nutley's only goal against visiting Red Bank High School. The score came at 15 minutes into the first period.

Red Bank tied the game early in the second period and then pulled ahead with a second score late in that same period. The two evenly matched teams went scoreless in the final stanza at the Codey Arena in West Orange.

Scoring for Red Bank were Keith Guzman with an asist by Joe Franco at 4:48 in the second period, and by Joe Franco with an assist from Joe DelSordo with just 2:42 remaining before the teams played to a 0-0 end in the final period.

Nutley goalie Alec Astorga had 32 saves.

Nutley 6, Verona 4, on January 25

Jan. 25, 2012 (Fri.) -- Nutley's varsity hockey team won its ninth game of the winter season tonight by overcoming a four-point early lead by Verona and capturing the victory in the final minutes of the match at the Codey Arena in West Orange.

Verona scored four times in the opening period and its wasn't until midway through the second stanza that sophomore Richie Lafuriai, with an assist by David Fierro, put Nutley on the scoreboard. Verona appeared shaken up by the Nutley score as the Raiders rebounded with back-to-back goals by David Fierro and Anthony Gandolfi.

Verona regained its posture in the final period with Matt Lander scoring back-to-back goals that evened the score at 4-4. Nutley fans had to wait until the final three minutes before Fierro hit the net again with the go-ahead point. With only 29 seconds remaining, freshman Mike Frade surprised the Nutley fans with an unassisted final goal. Final score: 6-4.

Nutley's sophomore goalie Alec Astorga was credited with 28 saves.

Hillsborough 3, Nutley 1 on January 20

Jan. 20, 2012 (Fri.) -- Nutley got off to a fast start but fell behind in the second and third periods to loose a 3-1 hockey match tonight to Hillsborough High School. Ryan Demgard scored 11 minutes into the first period with assists from teammates Anthony Gandolfi and Will Paro.

Goalie Alex Astorga had an exceptional busy night with 38 saves.

Hillsboro scored twice in the second period and once in the third on goals by Joe Tarascavage, Kyle Powers and Chris Digerolamo.

The Raiders will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when Verona challenges Nutley in a 4:15 p.m. match at the Codey Arena.

Nutley 2, Hanover Park 1 on January 16

Jan. 16, 2012 (Mon.) -- Nutley Hockey Coach Eric Puzio's varsity players celebrated today's holiday by scoring a 2-1 victory over Hanover Park this afternoon at the Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown. No sooner had the match begun before David Fierro, a junior, passed to classmate Patrick Scott for the first score at 1:43.

Hanover failed to score until late in the second period when Jimmy White evened the game with an assist by Michael Meggiolaro at 12:47.

With the match tied, Nutley waited until late in the final period to regain the lead. Junior foward Will Paro with an assist by sophomore Mike Conca scored at 8:51 to set the score at 2-1 where it remained for the rest of the afternoon.

Nutley took 15 shots at goal compared to Hanover Park's 30. Sophomore Alex Astoria had 29 saves for Nutley; Connon Vorhies had 14 for Hanover.

Nutley 5, West Essex 1 on January 6

Jan. 6, 2012 (Fri.) -- Nutley's assistant hockey team captain Will Paro relayed a pass from teammate Anthony Gandolfi into the net for the team's first score tonight and setting up a match that would never see the Raiders loose the lead.

Although West Essex tied the match in the second period, Nutley followed with four consecutive scores for a 5-1 victory at the Codey Arena. The Raiders are now 4-6-0 for the season.

Sophomore Mike Conca scored for Nutley in the second period. In the final stanza, Nutley took control of the arena with three goals, by sophomore Matt Basile, senior captain Dave Fierro and sophomore Mike Parigi.
Assists for Nutley were executed by Mike Ruggieri, Ryan Demgard, Will Paro and Conca.

Nutley played West Essex earlier this season, on Dec. 14, and won that match 3-1.

Nutley Raiders 4, Mountain Lakes 0

Dec. 26 (Mon.) -- David Fierro, Nutley's captain of the varsity hockey team scored first with teammates Patrick Scott, Michael Frade and Matt Basile following suit in the Raiders 4-0 shutout over Mountain Lakes last night at the Codey Arena. The match was the first round in the arena's annual Winter Hockey Classic.

Sophomore Richie LaFuria contributed two assists in the match which left Nutley with a record of three wins against four losses this season.

Nutley's scores so far this season:
Dec. 17 - W.Orange 3, Nutley 1
Dec. 14 - Nutley 3, West Essex 1
Dec. 12 - Nutley 6, Millburn 2
Dec. 10 - Livingston 3, Nutley 1
Dec. 5 - Nutley 6, Millburn 2)
(score of one match missing)

West Orange 3, Nutley Raiders 1

Dec. 17 (Sat.) -- Sophomore Mike Conca scored a second-period goal for Nutley in the second period of tonight's hockey match with West Orange played at the Codey Arena. West Orange.