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Confident North Branford Field Hockey Squad Has Won Three Straight

Featuring seven stellar seniors, the North Branford field hockey team entered the 2016 season feeling confident that it could once again make some noise in the Shoreline Conference. The T-Birds started the season with a 3-1 loss at rival Haddam-Killingworth, but have turned it on since then and are currently riding a three-game winning streak.

“With this loss, it helped our team to see where we need to bring it up for the rest of the season,” Head Coach Babby Nuhn said. “The idea that we’re doing really well both on the home front and the road is just great.”

In the Haddam-Killingworth game on Sept. 9, North Branford fell behind the Cougars 3-0 by allowing three goals in an eight-minute span. The T-Birds regrouped and put pressure on their opponent, outshooting HK 9-1 the rest of the way. Junior Emmy Norton scored a goal to make it 3-1, but North Branford could get no closer.

The following day, North Branford brought its A-game when it hosted Waterford and prevailed 8-0. Coach Nuhn managed to get 28 different players on the field in a game that saw senior Sydney Hogan and sophomore Angelina Ramada each record a hat trick. Norton chipped in with two goals, while Danielle Ramada, Emilie Wilkinson, Hogan, Cara Sagnella, and Norton all had assists.

On Sept. 15, North Branford hosted Morgan and came away with its second shutout in a 4-0 victory. Hogan collected her second hat trick of the season and Norton added North Branford’s other goal. Assists came from Amy Raucci and Norton. Coach Nuhn said she was impressed with the play of freshman Ava Galdenzi in the win.

Nuhn also said that defense was important in her team’s training during the preseason and so far it’s shown as senior captain goalie MacKenzie Kaiser and the T-Birds’ defenders have done a great job keeping the ball out of the cage.

“One of my goals this year was for everybody to play defense,” Nuhn said. “We were trying to promote it and encourage everyone to be a complete player. They’ve got to tackle back and put more possession time on the ball. That was brought up from last year to this year already.”

On Sept. 16, the Thunderbirds faced East Lyme on the road under the lights on a turf field and proved that they’re a team with promise by netting a 5-1 victory. Norton opened the scoring on a double assist from Sagnella and Meredith Johnson, after which Raucci tapped in her first career varsity goal. Norton added another goal and Hogan scored twice late. Kaiser made four strong saves in net.

“Passing, scoring, defense, and overall intense pressure was evident in every minute of the game,” Nuhn said. “Norton’s midfield play was stellar with her ability to deny our opponents any opportunities to bring the ball down the field.”

Coach Nuhn is pleased with her team’s overall demeanor, as well as the program’s growth in numbers. With team numbers up to 41 this year from 24 a season ago, Nuhn knows that North Branford is continuing to head in the right direction.

“I give all the credit in the world to the captains leading this team. I love the attitude all of our leaders and senior class have shown,” she said. “They’re realizing, on their own, the roles they need to have and share. The seven seniors are all role models and I want to five them the credit they deserve.”

From the Sidelines

North Branford’s senior captains this season are Meredith Johnson, Stephanie Seymour, and MacKenzie Kaiser.

Sydney Hogan, Elissa Nuzzo, Cara Sagnella, and Tara Lauro are also seniors on the team.

Through four games, North Branford has scored 18 goals and allowed just four.