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09/22/2016 12:00 AMAfter winning the Shoreline Conference title and reaching the Class S state final last year, the Haddam-Killingworth field hockey team has stormed out of the gates with another sizzling start this fall as the Cougars look to ignite another drive toward postseason glory.
Head Coach Patsy Kamercia and the Cougars went 14-2 for the regular season last year and claimed their 16th Shoreline Conference crown after dispatching North Branford in the league final. HK then reached its second Class S state final since 2012 and lost to Thomaston. Thus far this season, HK sports a record of 4-1, having most recently defeated Morgan 6-0 and taking a 2-1 defeat to Guilford. Coach Kamercia said that the strong start is indicative of the heart and hustle that her athletes are displaying every day.
“We have a terrific group of kids here. They are very motivated and also determined,” said Kamercia. “I didn’t think that at this point in the season that they would be so focused, but it’s a good sign. And with that focus, there is only one way to go and that’s up. I’m very happy with the attitude, the practices, and the play.”
One person who’s played a major role in the Cougars’ recent success, but has yet to see the field this year, is senior co-captain and 2015 First Team All-Shoreline selection Brinley Anderson. Last fall, Anderson set a new HK single-season mark for goals with 30, although she’s been out of the lineup thus far this fall due to a concussion injury sustained while playing lacrosse in July. Coach Kamercia said she’s hopeful that Anderson can soon get back in action and added that Anderson is doing a fine job of leading the team with fellow senior captain Julia Kostek, a defender.
“Brinley is still on the sidelines, but we are hoping that she is returning soon. But both captains are very committed to the team with great work ethic. They are great with getting the team motivated,” Kamercia said. “Julia is a very strong defenseman and she has proven to be the leader on the field without Brinley.”
The Cougars boast experience throughout the turf behind several returning upperclass athletes, including senior Hannah Theriault and junior Isabella Cosenza in the midfield, seniors Rachel Senechal and Alise Greco in the backfield, and junior Celia Payfa at forward. Cosenza netted a hat trick with an assist when the Cougars posted a 6-0 home shutout of Shoreline Conference foe Morgan on Sept. 20. Freshman Molly Anderson had two goals and an assist, while Payfa and Theriault added assists for HK, which outshot the Huskies 17-0 with sophomore Abbie Bagnoli playing goal.
“Isabella has great stick skills and is very aggressive. She’s been our go-to player and she does a beautiful job distributing the ball. Celia has been our key scorer and has great anticipation and knows where she has to be,” said Coach Kamercia. “Rachel commits to the ball all the time and she’s always cutting and going to the ball. Hannah is strong to the ball and has great reverse stick skills. She distributes well and sets up our attack. Alise anticipates and cuts well. She is a very fast player that sets things up for the midfield.”
After defeating Morgan, HK took its first loss by dropping a 2-1 contest to Southern Connecticut Conference squad Guilford in a home game on Sept. 21. Cosenza tied the game at 14:28 of the first half on an Anderson assist before the Indians scored the game-winner in the latter stanza. The Cougars outshot Guilford 7-5 and Bagnoli made three stops.
Although her team has yet to face some of the Shoreline Conference’s top squads, Coach Kamercia knows the league well and anticipates that her club has what it takes to defend its title and maintain its status as a prominent postseason program.
“I know the conference graduated a lot of players from last year, but North Branford, Westbrook, and Valley Regional look to be the main competition in the league. It will take playing a round of a game with each of them to see the impact players on each team,” said Kamercia. “As a team, we want to defend our Shoreline title, plus we also want to have a good run in states. We also want to just get stronger with each game.”
From the Sidelines
Patsy Kamercia started the Cougars’ field hockey program in 1975 and has been its head coach ever since.
Assistant coaches on the HK staff this fall are Mary Ellen Cherry and Meagan Dobson.
Prior to last season, HK’s previous state final appearances came in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2012. The Cougars captured the Class S crown in 1994, 2005, and 2012.