Sports

Girls Soccer Soars to an Incredible Season!

The girls played an amazing season, finishing with a record of 12-3-1 to make it to the state tournament. The #5 seed North Haven girl's soccer team played in their first ever state championship on November 15th against #2 seed Masuk. Unfortunately, they lost 2-1 against Masuk in a close and gut-wrenching loss. Congratulations to the girls on a very successful and historic season!

Gia Giaimo tries to get by a defender

The team celebrates after their win in the semifinals

Olivia Ranciato looks to get to the ball

Boy's Ice Hockey Claims the 5th Annual Pink Game!

The Pink Game is played annually in late October to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer. The boy's ice hockey team won the game for the fifth year in a row.

Girl's field hockey poses for a picture at the pink game

Boy's ice hockey team and girl's field hockey teams celebrate the game

2025 Nikh Bowl team practices for their annual game

The North Haven Nighthawks will take on West Haven High School on Monday, November 24th, at Vanacore Football Field

The North Haven Nighthawks and Amity Spartans pose for a picture after a scrimmage

North Haven Athletics Recognizes the 2025 Fall Scholar Athletes

Joshua Stefanik and Faith Nicholas were honored with the awards for the fall sports of 2025

Joshua Stefanik (left) is a senior captain for the boy's soccer team, and Faith Nicholas (right) is a senior captain for the girl's soccer team.

Girl's Soccer Coach Gary Collins voted SCC Coach of the Year!

Coach Collins was honored with 2025 SCC Coach of the Year by the SCC Girl's soccer coaches. Kara Sweet (left) earned All-SCC 1st team and Faith Nicholas (right) earned All-SCC 2nd team.

North Haven Student Athletes Attend the 2025 CIAC Sportsmanship Conference

These athletes were hand selected by their coaches to attend this conference. They heard from a variety of important sports persons who taught them about the topic of sportsmanship.

From left to right: William Gagne, Maxwell Pugliese, Evan DiMauro, Benjamin Serra-Cruz, Shane Ros, Gia Giaimo, Emelia Brandi, Payton Palmese, Kailyn Gilmore, Gabriella Foster

Take a Look at The History of the US Open

See why the popular event has drawn millions over the years

By: Priyam Upadhyay

The 2025 US Open in New York City was a tournament to remember, packed with big wins, emotional moments, and powerful history. Thousands of fans filled the Arthur Ashe stadium to watch some of the best athletes in the world for one of the biggest tournaments in tennis. This year marked “75 years of breaking barriers,” celebrating tennis legend Althea Gibson, who became the first Black player to compete in the tournament, helping break the color barrier in tennis. The event was opened with a tribute to Gibson and was accompanied by Mellissa Koby, the first African-American to be chosen to design the US Open’s official theme.

On the men’s side, the bracket was full of surprises and excitement right from the start. Several of the world’s top players were knocked out very early, creating one of the most interesting and unpredictable tournaments in recent years. Players like Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, was knocked out in the first round, along with the world number 3 Alexander Zverev, world number 17 Frances Tiafoe, and world number 6 Ben Shelton, all making exits in the third round. In the end, the two players that everyone did expect to win did make the final. The two being 22 year old Spanish phenom Carlos Alcaraz and the 24 year old defending champion Jannik Sinner. Carlos Alcaraz walked away the winner after defeating Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 64. This victory gave the World number 1 spot back to Alcaraz along with his 6th Grand Slam win. Despite the loss, Sinner boasted an incredible year which allowed him to be the youngest man in decades to reach all four Grand Slam finals in one season.

On the women’s side, world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka once again proved why she’s one of the toughest competitors in the sport. She defended her title with a hard fought 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), win over Amanda Anisimova. Sabalenka became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win back to back US Open titles. Her consistent power and energy during the tournament was a reminder of why she remains as the best player in the world on the women’s side. Amanda Anismiova’s run, meanwhile, was one that inspired many. She was once seen as a teenage prodigy but stepped away from tennis for mental health reasons and her comeback to reach the US Open final was a display of her potential.

The wheelchair division added even more depth and inspiration to the event as Tokito Oda, the 18 year old sensation from Japan, won the men’s wheelchair singles title in a three set thriller against Gustavo Fernandez. Oda pulled the 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (13-11), win to accomplish the Calendar Year Grand Slam, meaning that he won all 4 Grand slams in one season, and also the Golden Slam, which adds an Olympic gold medal to the Calendar Year Grand Slam. Japan also dominated the women’s wheelchair singles as Yui Kamiji made an incredible comeback winning against Li Xiaohui after dropping the first set 0-6. This victory ended Diede De Groot’s six year reign as the US Open champion and reaffirmed Kamiji as one of the sports greats.

Let The Games Begin: Popular NFL is Back

Fans look forward to another exciting year culminating in Superbowl extravaganza

By: Jaiden Walton

It’s been 207 days since the Superbowl where the Philadelphia Eagles won, but on September 4th, the NFL regular season finally started. The reigning champions defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-20, beginning a year already full of close finishes. A lightning delay and an ejection on the first play of the game added drama to the opener, setting the tone for a very unpredictable start to the season.

A main story in the NFL ‌this season is the new kickoff rules, designed to make returns more frequent and exciting. The NFL moved the touchback spot to the 35-yard line, allowing for more opportunities for special teams to make big plays. In the first few weeks, the kickoff return rate is already at its peak since the year 2010.

Several teams have unexpectedly made very strong early impressions. The Los Angeles Chargers started their season in Brazil, where they would beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-21. Justin Herbert threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns in the win. With this win, the Chargers have proven themselves to be a playoff contender this year. The Indianapolis Colts began their season 3-1 behind their newly signed quarterback, Daniel Jones. In their first three games, the Colts only punted once, being one of the most efficient starts in team history.

In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers have looked serious. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has picked up where he left off last season, recording 4 rushing touchdowns in the first four weeks. He is currently on pace to break the record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season, which he set in 2023 with 15 rushing touchdowns. The 49ers offense, led by Christian McCaffrey, has kept them near the top of the standings, where they are currently the second seed. The question for this team, which has been the same for many past years, is whether they can remain a Super Bowl-contending team despite the injuries. The 49ers already have 11 players on the IR, including former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.

Not every team started out smoothly. The Tennessee Titans opened 0-4 with rookie quarterback Cam Ward still adjusting to the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens, who made the AFC Championship last year, have started off with one win and three losses. The Saints are also one of the few winless teams, with a brutal 31-point loss vs the Seahawks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings made history in week 4 by playing in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Ireland, where the Steelers won 24-21. Kenneth Gainwell rushed for almost 100 yards and two touchdowns, and veteran Aaron Rodgers helped manage the game with his efficient passing. This win improved Pittsburgh’s record to 3-1 and helped expand the league's fanbase into new areas.

Many rookies have also made a strong impact. Tampa Bay’s Emeka Egbuka caught two touchdown passes in his debut, and Indianapolis’ Tyler Warren is leading all tight ends in receiving yards. Heisman winner Travis Hunter hasn’t been notably exceptional for the Jaguars so far, but he has made history being the first two-way player, playing wide receiver and cornerback, in the modern era.

Although early in the season, injuries are already piling up. Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow is out for at least three months, and star receivers Malik Nabers and Tyreek Hill are out for the season due to knee injuries, leaving fantasy owners in shambles.

Viewership numbers show how much excitement the new season has generated. Week 1 averaged over 22 million viewers per game, marking the NFL’s highest early-season ratings in five years. With rookie stars emerging, rule changes reshaping strategy, and close games every week, the 2025 NFL season is off to one of the most competitive and unpredictable starts in recent memory.

Basketball Extraordinaire Paige Bueckers Wins 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year

Former UConn women's basketball player made a successful debut in the WNBA

By: Liana Maignan

If you've been paying attention to basketball over the last few years, you already know the name Paige Bueckers. She was a star at Uconn, the number one pick in the WNBA draft, and is now officially 2025’s WNBA rookie of the year. Bueckers was picked 70 of 72 first place votes for the rookie of the year award. With WNBA legend Sue Bird saying she’d “pay to watch Paige play”. Although the Dallas Wings didn’t have a good start to the season, this all changed when they selected UConn star Paige Bueckers on their team.

In her first professional season she averaged 19 points and 5 assist, passing all rookies. What makes Bueckers stand out is her quick thinking and smooth play. Earning her praises and being well known throughout the sports industry. Bueckers has became a role model for athletes everywhere, showing how confidence can take you far. Her success has brought more attention to women's basketball. Her journey from UConn to the Dallas Wings shows determination on the court. Paige Bueckers is expected to be the biggest name in the League.

The Ryder Cup 2025 Raises Eyebrows

The rowdiest event in golf again proved to be worth the watch

By: James Sagnella

Every two years, golf fans across the world await for the coveted match up between the United States and Europe. This match contains three different formats, fourball or best ball, alternate shot, and singles matches. Lasting three days and only occurring every two years, the Ryder Cup is one of the biggest sports events in the world, with over 3 million viewers around the world.

This year captain Keegan Bradley of the United States selected Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay, and Sam Burns to play alongside the players who automatically qualified through their play from this year. European captain Luke Donald selected Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick as his six captain picks.

This year's Ryder Cup was played at Bethpage Black, which is widely known as one of the hardest, if not the hardest course in the United States. Somewhere between 225,000 and 250,000 from over 100 countries attended the Ryder Cup in New York.

In the opening four matches of alternate shot on Friday morning, Rahm and Hatton defeated DeChambeau and Thomas 4&3, Åberg and Fitzpatrick won their match 5 & 3 against Scheffler and Henley, and McIlroy and Fleetwood won 5 &4 against Morikawa and English, with the U.S’s only point coming from Schauffele and Cantlay, who won their match against MacIntyre and Hovland 2 up. In the afternoon the European team continued their dominance, with Rahm, Straka, Fleetwood, and Rose all winning their matches. Due to a half by McIlroy and Lowry and Burns and Cantlay, and a win by Young and Thomas, the U.S. was down 5 ½ to 1 ½ after Friday.

In the morning alternate shot matches on Saturday, the European team continued to dominate, winning three out of the four matches, with the United States’ only win coming from DeChambeau and Young. The afternoon matches on Saturday went the same way, with Europe winning three out of the four matches, Spaun and Schauffele were the only ones to bring in a point for the U.S.

Going into the 12 Sunday singles matches, the European team was leading 11 ½ to 4 ½, the largest lead by any side in the history of the Ryder Cup. After Viktor Hovland withdrew due to a neck injury, the score was 12-5. The European team needed 14 points to tie and retain the cup, while the U.S. team needed 14 ½ to win.

Although Europe was in firm control of many of the matches on Sunday, the U.S. team started to make a comeback, with Cameron Young and Justin Thomas both birdying the 18th hole to win their matches and keep their dreams alive. Bryson DeChambeau also made a historic comeback from 5 down to halve his match on the 18th hole. Xander Schauffele, Ben Giffin, J.J. Spaun, Ben Griffin, and Scottie Scheffler all won their matches, and it was looking like the U.S. was going to make the most improbable comeback in golf history. However, in the fifth match Ludvig Åberg defeated Patrick Cantlay 2 & 1, and with the half by DeChambeau, that put the European team at 13 ½, needing just a half point to retain the cup. In the 9th match, Russel Henley had two putts from under fifteen feet on the 17th and 18th hole, both to defeat Shane Lowry and keep the U.S. dreams alive. However, both putts were left short of the hole, and Lowry made an eight footer on the last hole to tie his match and give the European team the half point they needed to at least tie the United States’s and ensure that they retained the cup. One of the last three matches went to the U.S., while the other two were halved, bringing the final score to Europe 15, United States 13.

Tommy Fleetwood Wins His First PGA Tour Event

After countless runner-ups, Fleetwood cements himself in PGA Tour History

By: James Sagnella

The 2025 FedEx Cup playoffs proved to be nothing short of cinematic. The FedEx Cup is a season-long event in which players earn points for good finishes in tournaments. The players with the most points at the end of the season earn a bonus for their good play.

The first event in the FedEx Cup playoffs is the FedEx St. Jude Championship, in which the top 70 players from the season compete. The entire year, players are racing to win tournaments, trying to be in the top 70 to ensure that they play in the playoff events. This year's FedEx St. Jude ended in a playoff between the U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun, and Justin Rose, who was also in a playoff with Rory Mcilroy at the Masters. After multiple play off holes, Justin Rose won with a birdie on the 18th hole, securing his win and his spot in the next event, the BMW Championship.

This second event is harder for players to get into, with only the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings being eligible for this event. This proved to be a common scene for golf fans around the world, as Scottie Scheffler defeated Robert MacIntyre by two strokes to win his 6th event of the year.

Finally, the event the whole season had been leading up to the Tour Championship at East Lake. All eyes were on Scottie Scheffler, the number one golfer in the world who had just won the week before and was no doubt looking for his second FedEx Cup title. However, after three rounds Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Cantlay were tied for the lead at 16 under par.

On the final day, Fleetwood and Cantlay battled it out, and coming to the last Fleetwood had a multiple shot lead on Cantlay. After a good shot and a decent approach to just left of the green on the par 5 18th at East Lake, Fleetwood hit his pitch to about 10 feet and two putted, giving him his first win on the PGA Tour in 164 starts.

Up until that win, Fleetwood was top of the list of the highest ranked players in the world without a win. Without a doubt he had a bit of a chip on his shoulder with his loss at the Travelers in June to New England native Keegan Bradley, who birdied the 18th hole while Fleetwood bogeyed to give him the win.

Across his whole career, Tommy Fleetwood has played in 164 PGA Tour events, making 140 cuts. Even though he has 8 international wins, he struggled to break through on the PGA Tour until his big win at the Tour Championship. With 45 top 10’s, 31 to 5’s, 6 3rd, and 6 runner up finishes, it was only a matter of time before Fleetwood broke through and finally won on the PGA Tour.

Early November Brings About Blockbusters and Bold Moves

Breaking Down the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline

By: Matthew Campbell

The 2025 NFL trade deadline was one of the most dramatic in league history, featuring multiple All-Pro players on the move and a record 27 in-season trades — the most in over two decades. As the clock hit 4 p.m. on November 4, teams across the league had either doubled down on Super Bowl dreams or pressed reset for the future.

The biggest shock came from New York, where the Jets traded away two of their franchise stars. Cornerback Sauce Gardner, a two-time All-Pro, was sent to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two future first-round picks and young wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Moments later, the Jets shipped defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-rounder, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. These blockbuster moves signaled that the Jets are entering a full rebuild, prioritizing draft capital over short-term success.

For the Colts, acquiring Gardner was a statement of intent. With a strong offense already in place, Indianapolis strengthened its defense in hopes of making a deep playoff run. The Cowboys, meanwhile, added Williams to bolster their front line, hoping his interior presence would reignite a defense that’s struggled against the run this season.

Other notable deals included the Baltimore Ravens trading for pass rusher Dre’Mont Jones to boost their sack numbers and the Seattle Seahawks landing wide receiver Rashid Shaheed from the Saints for two mid-round draft picks. Each of these moves reflected teams’ distinct approaches — contenders filling urgent roster holes while rebuilding teams collected assets for the future.

Analysts agree that Indianapolis emerged as one of the biggest winners, while the Jets’ long-term payoff remains uncertain. The Cowboys made one of the boldest bets, hoping Williams can return to elite form. As one NFL insider put it, “This wasn’t a quiet deadline — this was a reshaping of the league.”

With contenders loading up and rebuilding teams cashing in, the 2025 trade deadline perfectly captured the modern NFL’s mindset: win now, or plan for later. The true impact of these trades won’t be known until the postseason — or maybe even years from now — but one thing is clear: this deadline changed the landscape of the league.

Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland Dies Tragically at 24

NFL Community Mourns Rising Star

By: Matthew Campbell

Frisco, TX — The Dallas Cowboys and the wider NFL community are in mourning after the sudden death of 24-year-old defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, whose body was found early Thursday morning following a late-night police search. Authorities report that Kneeland died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after fleeing a traffic stop on the Dallas North Tollway. Police discovered his crashed and abandoned vehicle around 11:30 p.m., prompting a search involving drones and K-9 units. He was located approximately two hours later.

According to dispatch audio, Kneeland had sent a final text message to his family before disappearing, and his girlfriend alerted authorities that he had struggled with mental-health challenges. The tragedy unfolded just days after one of the high points of Kneeland’s young career, when he scored his first NFL touchdown by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone on Monday Night Football.

Drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan, Kneeland appeared in 18 games for Dallas and quickly became known for his explosiveness, leadership, and upbeat personality. His former college coach, Lance Taylor, praised him as a “light in every room,” while Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called him “unique in his zest for life,” adding that his death underscores the importance of mental-health awareness among athletes.

Kneeland’s family released a heartfelt statement describing him as “kind, determined, humble, and full of love.” The Cowboys organization has established a memorial fund to support his girlfriend, Catalina, and their unborn child. As tributes continue to pour in from teammates, fans, and coaches across the country, Marshawn Kneeland’s memory endures as a reminder of both his athletic promise and the unseen struggles faced by many young players.

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