Sports Shorts

The Old Bridge youth hockey instructional program is accepting registrations for its winter program, which begins Jan. 8, at the Old Bridge Sports Arena and is sponsored by the township Department of Parks, Recreation & Social Services. Youngsters will be instructed on the fundamentals of hockey, including stickhandling, passing, and shooting. Participants are required to wear full equipment. The sessions are broken into two age groups: 5-8 and 9-13. The 5-8 group runs Sundays from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the older group runs from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The cost is $250 for Old Bridge residents and $300 for nonresidents. For more information, visit the arena Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., or call John Piccolo at (732) 721-5600, ext. 4025, or at (732) 679-8339.

Spotswood Youth Baseball League is holding its second spring registration on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Spotswood Municipal Building. All children accepted from ages 5-16 as of April 30, 2006, are eligible. Bring a photocopy of child’s birth certificate. Anyone wishing to manage or coach should also bring a photocopy of their Rutgers Safety Certification Card. Registration fees are $65. Work bonds are also collected at sign-up. For more information, call the hotline at (732) 251-6111.

The East Brunswick Blasters, a U13 girls soccer team, completed its fall season with a 5-0-5 record, winning the flight championship. The Blasters outscored their opponents 14-6. The team had great goaltending from Sarah Botzenhart, Devin Massih and Pooja Adarkar, as well as excellent defense from Pooja Adarkar, Franni Drachtman, Brooke Levine, Devin Massih, Alyssa Silver and Jennifer Gutterman. The midfield displayed supportive skill from Samantha Petosa, Lindsey Kirschenbaum, Danille Morgan and Ariel Shladovsky. And the forwards were always a threat to the opposing defense, including Ariel Shladovsky, Bradlea Kerwin, Vicky Tadros, Sarah Botzenhart, Haley Temin and Lauren Drain. The team is coached by Peter Botzenhart, Dave Kirshenbaum and Rich Drachtman.

Monroe Township Baseball Association will hold on-site registration Saturday at the Monroe Township Community Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fee is $85 for the first player, $75 each additional player, and a $50 work bond per family/household.

Registration is open to all Monroe Township resident (boys and girls) ages 4 through 16. Players age 4 as of 4/30/06 April 30 are eligible for T-ball. T-ball is ages 5 and 6, Farm League Rookie Division for ages 6 and 7, Farm League AAA for age 8, Minor League for ages 9 and 10, Major League ages 11 and 12, Junior League ages 13 and 14, and Senior League ages 15 and 16. Registration fee will increase to $125 per player after Jan. 7, so register now.

While everyone else was resting from their turkey dinners this weekend, the Monroe Phoenix U10 boys soccer team was busy playing soccer in the Montgomery Thanksgiving Tournament. The team finished the tournament with an impressive 3-1 record. On the first day, the Phoenix won 4-0 with the second win coming by forfeit. Matthew Anderson led the scoring with two goals. Brian Sullivan scored off a beautiful cross from Jeremy Roth while Nick Scardilli banged in a hard shot at the end. On the second day, the Phoenix lost a heartbreaker 2-1 with Christian Corbisiero scoring an acrobatic goal in the second half. Out of 20 games this fall, that was the Phoenix’ lone loss. In the final game, the Phoenix came back with a very strong 6-1 performance. Once again, Matt Anderson led the scoring with two goals. Chris Germano, Tyler Utheim, and Michael Mischler each had a goal a piece while Christian Corbisiero rounded out the scoring with his second goal of the tournament.

Also having a very strong tournament on offense and defense were John Cosenza, Corey Klaskin, Richie Toth, and Russell Clayton. Once again, Tyler Utheim and Russell Clayton played outstanding games in goal as the only gave up three goals the entire tournament. The teams final fall record was an incredible 15-1-4. They start their indoor season on Dec. 10 at Mercer County College.