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04/09/2014 12:00 AMGirls' Lacrosse
After three-peating as Shoreline Conference champions before reaching their first-ever state final, Haddam-Killingworth and Head Coach Heather Ferrer (assisted by Meagan Dobson and Sheila Reilly) come into the season with captains Angelina Cretella and Kiley Anderson. The Cougars also boast Jess Kasper, siblings Julie and Katie Hausherr, Jamie Little, and Brinley Anderson as expected strong contributors.
"Our goal is to do well in our tougher matchups this season," said Ferrer. "Key games will be against any Shoreline Conference team."
Softball
Head Coach Jeff Talbott (16th season), assisted by Ryan Kish, and his Cougars return seven starters and 12 lettermen from the Shoreline Conference champion team that won 20 games last year (27-5 conference mark the last two campaigns).
HK will be captained by seniors of catcher/first baseman Casey Jackson (2013 Junior Select Game MVP, team-best .590 batting average in 2013) and shortstop Lauren McCann (.452 average, 42 hits, 23 RBIs).
Talbott eyes other key contributors of senior hurler Ciara Samuel (12-4 last season), along with juniors in first baseman Kolby Burger (hit .357, 24 RBIs) and second baseman Caroline Fortuna (.410 BA, 27 RBIs).
In a stacked Shoreline league, HK will focus its attention on pivotal Large Division battles with North Branford, Coginchaug, and Morgan while the club's goals will be to reach its fourth straight conference title tilt and do well in the Class M State Tournament.
Baseball
In his 38th year, skipper Mark Brookes (588-254 career mark) will have captains in senior pitcher/outfielder Griffin Bremer (5-1 record, .419 batting average) and junior hurler/shortstop Brian Moskey (4-2, tossed perfect game versus Hyde, .396 BA).
Senior pitcher/first baseman Rob Scully, junior outfielder Luigi Fazzino, alongside sophomores of second baseman Ty Schuler and shortstop Trevor Mann are also expected to play major roles toward the Cougars' goals of returning to both the Shoreline Conference and state tournaments. Chris Anselmo and Greg Annino are Brookes' assistant coaches as the Cougars come off a 15-5 campaign that saw them lose in the second round of the Class M State Tournament.
Girls' Tennis
Patty Earley enters her fourth campaign as head coach with senior captains Mackenzie Earley and Jennifer Halleck, who have now been with the varsity team for four seasons.
"Their commitment and focus have been steady through all four years. Both should have a great season," said Coach Earley.
Junior Reilly Fitzgibbons (17-1 last spring) figures to also be a big part of the team's success as Earley points out key matchups with Shoreline Conference rival Westbrook for this campaign.
"We have been increasing our wins since I've started and I always look to continue that," said Coach Earley, whose team was 13-5 and reached the state tournament in 2013. "This year our numbers are down so our team is young with experience, but filled with a lot of athletic, hardworking girls."
Boys' Tennis
Rod Pakus begins his 14th campaign as head coach with captains in Zach Carmichael and Thomas Irwin, who Pakus said, "bring us their experience as varsity starters and probably more leadership responsibility than we have experienced for a number of years."
HK also has returning lettermen of Ahbi Bobba, Alex Thompson, Kevin Hunt, Nate Field; along with upperclassmen Charles Crocco, Tommy DiMauro, Niko Franceschi-Hofmann, Matt Discharoon; plus freshmen Colton Soneson and Ben Blair joining the team.
"Our team goals are to improve on last year's results and return to qualifying for the Class S State Tournament," said Pakus. "How we do against Westbrook, Morgan, Coginchaug, Cromwell, East Hampton, and North Branford should define our season. Our growth this season will be measured in small increments and it's my job to make sure we recognize and build on each team and individual success."
Boys' Golf
Head Coach Sy Soobitsky (29th season) and HK will be led by senior John Abbott (3-time All-Shoreline Team player). The Cougars are coming off a 20-10 campaign (70-24 over the last 3 years) and have added two new players in Alex Segaline and Mike Szafran, along with returning letterman Torren Callander, Joe Parmelee, and Trent Soobitsky.