The Gym Bag: Two S.I. Giants squads capture flag football crowns, Wagner College news and more

Two Staten Island Giants girls’ teams captured championships and a third Giants team lost in the title game in the Halloween Havoc Flag Football Tournament last weekend in Hillsborough, N.J.

The Giants’ 12U and 14U squads brought home crowns and qualified for the Nationals, while the 17U team lost in overtime of the championship tilt.

“It’s great to get the girls back out there competing again on the national level,” said S.I. Giants president and 14U head coach Mike Colt. “We almost pulled off the sweep in all the girls’ divisions but our 17U girls fell just a little short in overtime.

“It’s been a rough few months. We got blocked out of the last two tournaments in New Hampshire and Delaware due to COVID-19 restrictions so it definitely felt great to be back out there coaching again on the national level.”

The 12U team recorded a 4-0 mark, including a 13-0 title championship win over over the Leominster Blue Devils.

It was the defense that led to the Giants’ first score as linebacker Ariana Lajara recorded a pick-6. A few drives later, quarterback Jillian Molfetta hit receiver Jaclyn Molinini on a deep out-route to give the Giants a 13-0 advantage.

The defense, led by linebacker Lajara, safety Isabella Castro and cornerback Sofia Colletti, registered four interception in the title game. Blitzers Nyla Caetano, Elizabeth Davis and Annabella Baez all had multiple flag pulls and sacks.

Meanwhile, the 14U squad went 5-0, including a 13-6 title-clinching win over Old Skewl Sports.

The offense was led by QBs Valentina Fanetti and QB Jessica Finley, who helped their team pile up 99 points on the day.

Jade Mazziotta, Olivia Rijo and Gianna Tirado got the offense moving early in the championship game as they hauled in multiple passes to help give the Island squad a quick score.

The S.I. Giants defense was the talk of the tournament as they registered two shutouts and allowed a mere six points in three playoff games. Cornerback Allison Gandlin, linebacker Mary Wigren and blitzer Adelaide Videon-Perino helped knock off Old Skewl Sports in a rematch from last year’s New York NFL Flag Regionals.

The Giants’ 17U squad suffered an 8-6 loss to the Leominster Blue Devils.

Wagner College names new Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services

Wagner College Director of Athletics Walt Hameline has announced the hiring of Nicole Gaudenzi as the Seahawks’ Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services.

“We’re excited for Nicole to be a member of our Wagner Community,” said Hameline. “She brings great energy to the position and she will be instrumental in assisting our student-athletes.”

Gaudenzi replaces Jasmine Edwards who departed for Rutgers University.

No stranger to the Metropolitan area, Gaudenzi comes to Staten Island after most recently spending time at Fordham as an Assistant Academic Advisor.

At Fordham, Gaudenzi worked closely with individual student-athletes and teams to track academic progress and provide guidance. Additionally, she assisted in course selection, scheduling, the coordination of tutoring, and the Rams’ Conduct Transition Interaction Program.

In addition to her work within the academic circle, she was an active member of the Fordham community serving as a member of the LGBTQ and Ally Network or Support as well as the Racial Solidarity Network.

Prior to Fordham, she spent time at Iona College as both an athletics Academic Advisor and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology.

A graduate of Montclair State, Gaudenzi’s earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology as well as a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a nationally certified mental health counselor.

Great Kills LL American records Senior Minor Nonna’s win

Anthony DePrima and Santino Yulfo had two hits, a walk and three RBI each to lead Great Kills American to a 12-8 Nonna’s Tournament victory over Mid-Island.

GKA, which trailed 8-2 at one point, received solid relief pitching from Christopher Turis (4 IP, 3 Ks), who earned the victory.

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The Gym Bag publishes every Wednesday on the web and will appear in the Staten Island Advance shortly after. This is where we will feature short stories, tidbits and morsels about your players or teams going forward in place of the daily game results we used to take.

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