Football Team Opens Season 3-1: After a busy, and sometimes grueling preseason, the Wolverine football team took to the field on September 13th for their first game of the season against Husson University (Bangor, ME.) After scoring on their first possession of the game, the Wolverines never looked back, defeating the Eagles with a convincing 32-0 victory. Bridgton's defense lead the way, with their first shut out in three years. Brent MacLeod (Winchester, MA) broke up four passes, and Ryan LaFromboise (Ludlow, MA) led the team in tackles with thirteen. Christian Weeman (North Attleboro, MA) continued the defensive domination when he recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.

Following their win over Husson, the Wolverines continued to play well, defeating the Curry College JV squad by a score of 28-18 the following Saturday. Kenny Brock (Burlington, NJ) lead the offensive attack through the air, completing 17 of 33 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Alex Colorito (Beaverton, Oregon) had an impressive game, catching three passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Scott Benzing (Brookfield, CT), Brett Parenteau (Manchester, NH), and Keith Williams (Simi Valley, CA) all racked up multiple catches as well.

Although pleased with the start of the season, Coach Rick Marcella remained focused on the upcoming September 30th game against Holy Cross JV - a division 1-AA opponent that would prove to be a challenge. Despite the Wolverines offensive control of the game, running 90 plays to Holy Cross' 55, it was costly turnovers that resulted in Bridgton's downfall, ending in a 28-20 loss. Kenny Brock continued to lead the Wolverines offense, throwing his third consecutive 200 yard game. Defensively the team improved throughout the game, giving up only one score in the second half. Defensive leaders included Ryan LaFromboise, Brandon Murphy (Branford, CT), and Jonathon Balcacer (Peabody, MA), who Coach Marcella has called "the most improved on defense."

It didn't take the Wolverines long to rebound from the loss at Holy Cross, providing audiences at the Parents' Weekend home game with a great contest against Springfield College. In their only home game of the season, the Wolverines defeated Springfield 34-27 in a back-and-forth competition that left Bridgton fans on the edge of their seats. For the first time of the season, the BA offense did not have the upper hand in time of possession or plays run. It was key plays by the Wolverines that led to the victory including an amazing endzone catch by Brett Parenteau, and a fumble recovery in the last minute of the game by John Moscotel (Lexington, MA). Melikke Van Alstyne (Salem, MA), and Phil Bigelow (East Orange, NY) had great games. In what Coach Drew Inzer referred to as "the biggest game of the year," the Wolverines travel south this Saturday to face longtime rival Navy Prep in Newport, RI. Kick off is at 2:00 p.m.

Fall Schedule Proves Successful for Baseball Wolverines - The 2009-2010 Bridgton baseball team is looking sharp, starting their season off in fine fashion with a ten-game winning streak. In their season opener, the Wolverines exploded for seven runs in the 2nd inning versus Southern Maine Community College (South Portland, ME), ending the game with a 9-5 victory. BA southpaw Will Whittemore (Waltham, MA) held the Seawolves in check with a strong performance, scattering six hits throughout six innings, and striking out five. Offensive highlights were many, but included a base-clearing triple by Tom MacInnes (Plymouth, MA), and another triple by Mike Bullett (Stanford, VT.)
In their first New England Club Baseball Association conference game of the season, the Wolverines earned their next win with a 13-0 shutout over the University of Maine. Pitcher Tom MacInnes, pitched a four-hit shutout, with thirteen strikeouts in six innings. Andrew Gummow (Brookline, MA) led the bats with three hits and four RBI's. In game two of the UMaine doubleheader, the Wolveines combined timely hitting, good defense, and solid pitching for the 6-2 sweep. Nick Billingham (Edgartown, MA) opened the top of the fifth with a mammoth solo home run, high of the 340 mark in left center. 

BA continued its busy schedule when they found themselves on the diamond the following day against University of New England. The cobwebs lifted in the third inning, as the Wolverines pushed across three RBI singles by Andrew Gummow and Zach Vouros (St. Charles, IL). Tad Gold (Vineyard Haven, MA) further quieted the rivals with a grand slam home run in the third inning, sealing the eventual 16-6 victory.

A few days later, the team had their closest game yet, eeking out a gutsy 3-2 win over Central Maine Community College. Head coach Brad Smith praised pitcher Will Whittemore for a great game, and felt the defense played a virtually errorless ball game with stellar performances by Nick Billingham and Sam Stauber (Cumberland, ME). 

The winning streak continued with BA's first home victory, earning a 8-6 win over Navy Prep. BA hurler Gabe May (Portsmouth, NH) struck out five to pick up his second win of the season. Bridgton's pitching proved strong again during a doubleheader sweep over University of New Hampshire on September 20th. Dustin Brown (East Falmouth, MA) pitched masterfully in the second game, striking out a season high ten UNH batters. Although they fell to a score of 6-2 in the first game, the Bridgton team came storming back with five runs on two consecutive bunts. The UNH sweep placed the Bridgton boys at the top of the conference standings.

Gabe May once again proved to be a great asset on the mound when the Wolverines played Southern Maine Community College on September 23rd. In the finest pitching performance of the season to date, Gabe tossed a masterful one-hitter, leading BA to it's ninth win in a row.

As all winning streaks usually do, the Wolverines came to an end in their Parents' Weekend home game on Friday, October 2nd. Avenging an earlier 3-2 loss, the Mustangs of Central Maine Community College combined excellent pitching and timely hitting to defeat the Wolverines 6-0 Holman Diamond. CMCC jumped on BA starter Will Whittemore for all the runs they needed as they scored two runs in the first on a towering home run to right field. Facing one of the toughest pitchers to date, the BA bats were pretty much silent throughout the entire game and were unable to mount any offensive attack. Now 10-1 and 6-0 in NECBA, the team plays three games this weekend, with a home game on Saturday and a doubleheader at Merrimack College on Sunday.

Navy Sinks Wolverine Lacrosse - The Bridgton Academy Wolverines lacrosse team opened up their initial fall season with a game against Navy Prep in Newport, Rhode Island. The Wolverines, having played together for only three weeks, faced a very talented group and were handed a 14-3 setback. Coach Bamann called the game, "a learning experience," in which his defense was being pressured for the majority of the game. Bridgton gave a few scoring opportunities away by shooting too quickly, and not controlling the ball, which lead to opportunities for Navy Prep. The Wolverines had to quickly adjust to the pace of the game, which was quicker than many of the players were used to.

There were, however, positives to draw from the game. Coach Bamann was pleased with the effort saying, "individually we played well, but we are going to have to play better as a team in order to win." On the offensive side Steve Knezick (Burlington, NJ) won half of his draw controls and also scored a goal. Kevin Looney (Manhattan Beach, CA) and Kam Bumpus (Needham, MA) each had a tally for the Wolverines. Will Janney (Richmond, VA) turned away 15 shots in net for BA. This Sunday, October 11th, Bridgton will take part in the Hartwick College Classic at 9:00 a.m.

Hockey Opens Season on Parents Weekend - The ice was put in and the locker room refurbished - painted with Bridgton hockey's mantra of Commitment, Sacrifice, and Responsibility. All was ready for the start of the 2009-2010 season this past weekend. In front of a crowd of parents, friends, faculty, and alumni, the Wolverines opened their season against the Maine Moose, ending with an exciting 5-4 overtime win. This marked the first victory as a Bridgton Academy head coach for Jonathan Lounsbury '01.  Darren Casey-Covell (Orono, ME) started the scoring, followed by scores from Patrick Martin (Hanover, MA), Mike Iacobucci (Franklin, MA), and Aaron Semio (North Reading, MA). Starting goalie Nate Potter (Hartford, VT) stood strong against continual shots early in the game, and Robby Campbell (Braintree, MA), finished the game in goal with 13 saves on 15 shots.

The following day, the team played their second game in as many nights defeating the Eastern Kodiaks 4-0 thanks to goalie Ian Edwards (Linden, MI) who turned aside 44 shots. This weekend, the hockey Wolverines will attend the IJHL Showcase in Exter, New Hampshire.