Montville - Brittany Connors, a 2007 Waterford High School graduate who later enjoyed a distinguished career at Western Connecticut State University, was named head softball coach at St. Bernard School on Tuesday.

Connors replaces Jeff Mauri, who resigned over the summer after leading the Saints to a berth in the Class S state final last season. Connors was an assistant on that team.

"Brittany is going to be an excellent fit here at St. Bernard," athletic director Brendan Case said. "Her work ethic, attention to detail, and the fact that she is a teacher make her a tremendous asset.

"Our expectations are very high. We have a terrific core of players coming back, and we look forward to Brittany continuing the success and tradition of Saints softball."

Connors, who just turned 23, is thrilled about her new job.

"I'm so excited," Connors said. "I've known that I've wanted to be a coach when I was done playing. I can't believe it is actually time."

Connors said she learned a great deal working as an assistant under Mauri, who had hinted during last season that he might step down.

When the opportunity came, she jumped at it.

"I was just waiting and waiting for the opportunity," Connors said. "It worked out well. ... Tons of people out there want to be a head coach and it just kind of fell into my lap.

"I've been preparing for a very long time and I'm ready."

Connors hopes to bring in her father, Don, as her assistant coach.

"He taught me everything I know," Connors said.

H.S. field hockey

• Alex Steward scored one goal and assisted on another as Old Saybrook defeated Norwich Free Academy 2-0 in a non-conference game. NFA finishes the regular season 9-7.

Connecticut Tigers

• The Connecticut Tigers announced that tickets and select merchandise for the 2013 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, which will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Dodd Stadium, will go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 9 a.m.

"We're moving full steam ahead with our planning for this wonderful event," vice president/general manager C.J. Knudsen said. "We see this as more than just an All-Star Game, it is a celebration that will highlight baseball in this great state."

Ticket prices will remain the same as individual game tickets in 2013. Premium season tickets are on sale for $325 per seat and reserved season tickets are on sale for $250 per seat. Both plans include a ticket to the All-Star Game in the same seat. The Dodd Stadium Box Office is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Men's basketball

• Philkwan Tate had 14 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and three blocks as Avery Point won its season-opener, 62-60, over Bristol CC of Fall River, Mass. Mike Martin scored a team-high 17 for the Pointers and Malcolm Simmons added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Women's basketball

• Kim Bouten scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the first half as Avery Point began its season with a 72-44 win over Bristol CC. Ashley Oakes and Mikayla Wells both scored 13 for the Pointers.

Women's soccer

• Coast Guard won the NEWMAC Sportsmanship Award for the fourth consecutive season. "We are extremely honored," coach Susan Grant said. "It says a great deal about the character of the members of our team. Regardless of the score at the end of a match, I am proud our team competed hard, played fair, and represented our Academy in a way that is important to us."

College volleyball

• Coast Guard placed three players on the NEWMAC all-conference teams. Junior Kelsey DePorto earned first-team honors for the third straight season while seniors Keriann Mason and Karen Matic were named to the second team for the second straight season. DePorto led the Bears with a .356 hitting percentage and 105 blocks and was second with 274 kills.

In addition, East Lyme's Molly Giannattasio, a sophomore setter at Springfield College, was named to the second team.