rivereast Standout Athletes

The boys soccer team at East Hampton High School has started 5-0 this fall. The Bellringers are coming off a state championship appearance a season ago and welcome back a slew of talent, including returning all-conference junior Will Nafis, who was named a Standout Athlete of the Week.  

Here is a double dose of Rivereast Standouts of the Week for the week of Sept. 18 – 24:

Will Nafis - East Hampton High School (Soccer): Following an all-conference selection as a sophomore, Nafis has continued to power a Bellringers team that has won all five games this fall. Nafis, now a junior, scored a goal during the team’s latest victory, a 3-2 road win over Morgan on Sept. 22. Ethan Marshall and Nick Guarino also scored in the Shoreline Conference (SLC) triumph. Next, the undefeated Bellringers will welcome conference foe Cromwell to East Hampton High School for a game today (Friday, Sept. 29) at 4 p.m.

Maya Korczak - East Hampton High School (Soccer): Korczak picked up right where she left off after an all-state junior season last fall, scoring three goals as the Bellringers started the 2023 season with a pair of victories. Korczak, a senior, netted a pair of goals in a 6-1 win at North Branford and then added another goal in the team’s home opener, a 3-1 victory over Valley Regional. The Bellringers are in the middle of a four-game road trip, heading to Lyman Memorial on Saturday, Sept. 30 for a game at 4 p.m. 

Parker Thompson - Portland High School (Soccer): Thompson scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the closing minute as the Highlanders defeated Cromwell 2-1 on Sept. 23. Thompson, a junior, sparked the offense while senior goalie Erik Medvecky solidified the back end. Two days earlier, Medvecky blanked Valley Regional 3-0 behind a pair of goals from Gio Discenza and another from Alex Dawson, with two assists coming from Thompson. Next is a road game at New Britain High School on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. 

Cristina Austin - Portland High School (Soccer): Austin scored the contest’s only goal as the Highlanders dealt Bristol Eastern a 1-0 defeat. Austin, a sophomore, provided the offense and sophomore goalie Gracie DeRing kept the net clean with the help of a stout defense led by senior Lily Carroll. The team next hosts Westbrook on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.

Brady Gould - Bacon Academy (Football): Gould scored four touchdowns as the Bobcats visited the capital city and throttled Weaver 49-6 on Sept. 22. Gould, a senior captain, was one of four Bacon Academy players to find the end zone. Avatar Disher, Julian Rodegher, and Eddie Gignac also scored touchdowns, while kicker Jace King connected on all seven extra point attempts. Dylan Ward, who was celebrating his birthday, intercepted a pass to lead a defense that also shutout Bethel, 21-0, in their home opener on Sept. 9. The Bobcats now welcome Griswold/Wheeler to Bacon Academy for a game this Saturday, Sept. 30, kicking off at noon.

Boden Paul - Bacon Academy (Cross-Country): Paul ran a 19:06 to take first place as the Bobcats defeated Waterford 23-33 at Zagaway Farms in Colchester. Paul, a freshman, led the way as Bacon Academy took four of the top six spots with Michael Dickey (3rd / 19:30), Carson Brown (5th / 20:06) and Ian McLain (6th / 20:07) rounding out the top four Bobcats to finish. 

Ava Machowski - RHAM High School (Soccer): Machowski scored her eighth goal of the season during the Raptors 3-1 win over Granby at RHAM High School on Sept. 29. Machowski, a senior, has been a main offensive threat for a Raptors team that has started the season by winning four of five games. Next up is a home game against South Windsor today (Friday, Sept. 29) at 3:45 p.m.

​T.J. Machowski - RHAM High School (Soccer): Machowski made five saves as the Raptors shutout powerhouse Glastonbury 1-0 on Sept. 21. Machowski, a junior, has been manning the net for a Raptors defense that has blanked four of their first six opponents this season. Senior Troy Miller scored the only goal in the win over Glastonbury and now RHAM travels to South Windsor for a game today (Friday, Sept. 29) at 4 p.m.