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05/07/2016 12:00 AMAfter losing its first game of the 2016 spring season, the Branford girls’ lacrosse squad has done nothing but win ever since. The Hornets are currently riding an 11-game win streak and have crushed the competition in most of those victories. That was the case in two of Branford’s three wins last week, when Jackie Ceccolini’s squad blew out West Haven and Hamden by scores of 16-5 and 17-2, respectively. Then in their finale, the Hornets came back from an early deficit to upend Pomperaug 16-11 and improve to 11-1. Branford has already sealed a spot in the Class M State Tournament and is in good shape to qualify for the SCC Tournament with its conference record of 6-0.
“We just have a special group of kids. From our freshman through our seniors, they’ve all been playing lacrosse a long time and come up through our youth program, which does a great job,” Coach Ceccolini said. “The girls are involved in the offseason, are putting in the work, and they just want it. It’s nice to see a group of girls that’s working hard and getting the success they deserve.”
Branford began last week by hosting West Haven on May 2 and stormed out to a 7-1 halftime lead. Sophomore midfielder Autumn McNenry scored four goals and had three assists; midfielder Sophie Spencer had three goals with one assist, as did fellow sophomore LanLe Crotty, an attacker; and sophomore attacker Erin O’Brien scored a pair of goals. Additionally, junior attacker Ashlee Smestad had a goal with an assist, while attacker Carolyn Caminear, sophomore midfielder Sabrina Torcellini, and junior attacker Katie Parker each scored one goal. Caminear is one of Branford’s three senior captains alongside defenders Sophie Angelo and Kendall Simmons, while defenders Maddy Vitale, Jessie O’Connor, and Victoria Donadio are the team’s three other seniors. They all played in this contest, as well as the subsequent Hamden victory.
“We kind of controlled the game the entire time and didn’t want to let them back in it at all,” said Ceccolini, whose club was further bolstered by six saves in net from junior Sydnie Smith. “So we kept a steady pace and were able to get involvement from every single player on the team, which was nice.”
On May 5, the Hornets faced another SCC foe with a game at Hamden and started off even stronger by taking a commanding 13-0 advantage into halftime. McHenry scored three goals and had an assist; Caminear also found the back of the net three times; and Crotty, Spencer, and junior midfielder Omaima Nasry all scored two goals. Torcellini and sophomore Haley Maercklein both chipped in with a goal and an assist, plus O’Brien, junior defender Morgan Gilman, and freshman midfielder Grace Paleski scored a goal apiece. Smith and sophomore Daly Hynes shared the goalkeeping duties.
The following night, Branford hosted a non-conference foe in Pomperaug and quickly found itself in a 3-1 hole. However, McHenry and her offensive colleagues weren’t having that as the sophomore scored a few goals in a row, after which Pomperaug tried to put the clamps on her, only to open up chances for the Hornets’ other attackers to convert. By the time the game hit the half, Branford was in control with a 13-6 lead. McHenry finished with five goals, Torcellini and Spencer both scored three, Smestad scored two goals and added two assists, Caminear netted a pair of goals, and Crotty also scored a goal. Smith had five saves in net.
“McHenry kind of took the game on her back and she had some nice goals that gave us a little run and everyone fed off that energy and followed suit,” said Coach Ceccolini. “We definitely knew that Pomperaug would be a step up. They’re a great team and very quick and athletic with good stick skills, so we knew we’d have to bring our best game against them. We had a bit of a slow start, but once we found our energy, we kept the ball rolling and it was hard for them to stay with us. We kept possession of the ball, the girls played smart on offense, and it worked for us.”
The Hornets’ offense has been netting goals in droves this spring and Coach Ceccolini talked about what’s been working for that unit, along with her strong crop of midfielders.
“Offensively, we have some smart players who understand the game, play the game a lot, are students of the game, and are constantly watching something online, checking out other games, and asking questions so they can learn. They’re developing into knowledgeable lacrosse players,” she said. “The midfield is all about effort. They have the toughest job to go up and down the field and, when we need them to, they have to find that extra gear and forget about being tired. They have to work hard and we have a great group of girls doing that, which is what we’re looking for.”
Branford’s defense is also doing a fine job by keeping the opposition in single digits nine times in the squad’s 12 games. In addition to the defenders already mentioned, Coach Ceccolini credited sophomore Caroline Erickson for her play at that position. Ceccolini also discussed the performance of Smith, who’s back for another season as the Hornets’ starting goalie.
“Our defense knows what to do. It’s just a matter of doing it. They need to work as a team and, when they are talking and sliding and working together, you can’t beat them,” Ceccolini said. “Smith, she’s right there with the defense and is the anchor, the voice that keeps going, and she’s had a lot of big stops this season. It’s a tough position to have. You have to forget when they go in and she does a good job of forgetting and going on to the next one.”
In terms of her team’s most-notable victories, Coach Ceccolini pointed out an 8-5 win versus Cheshire, as well as a 17-4 triumph against Guilford as major statements for Branford. The Guilford game didn’t count in the Hornets’ SCC record, but the rematch will the teams clash again in Branford at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18. The Hornets also have conference contests against Lauralton Hall and Hand left on the schedule in their quest to make the SCC bracket and compete in both postseason tournaments this spring.
“We’re very happy, but we’re staying focused on each game at a time,” said Coach Ceccolini. “Ultimately, we want to have the best record possible, so we’re looking for 15-1, but every game helps our seeding when it comes to the playoffs and we want to have top seeds in SCCs and states and compete for championships.”
From the Sidelines
Jackie Ceccolini is in her eighth season as the head coach of Branford girls’ lacrosse. She’s assisted by her father, Joe Alessi; and her brother, Billy Alessi; as well as JV coach Melissa Carney.
Prior to this week’s three victories, Branford’s 11-game win streak featured triumphs against Haddam-Killingworth (17-7), Mercy (10-4), Cheshire (8-5), Guilford (17-4), Amity (21-11), Masuk (15-5), Sacred Heart Academy (16-4), and Old Saybrook (12-7).
For the rest of the regular season, the Hornets host Lauralton Hall at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 9; play at Hand at the Surf Club at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 16; are home against Guilford at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18; and then play at Haddam-Killingworth at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21.