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10/10/2016 12:00 AMBoys’ Soccer
The North Branford boys’ soccer team extended its streak of unbeaten games to five by posting two wins and a tie last week. Confidence is running high for the T-Birds, who currently have a record of 3-4-4. The team’s athletes are believing in themselves and North Branford now needs a win and a tie in its final five games to qualify for the State Tournament.
Last week on Oct. 3, North Branford tied Westbrook 1-1 with the T-Birds’ lone goal coming from Sean Esposito. Goalie Paul Zumbo made four saves in the game.
On Oct. 6, the T-Birds defeated Portland 4-1 as Christian Defrancesco, Antonio Pavic, Esposito, and John LaCerva scored goals. North Branford gave a great defensive effort and Head Coach Brett Gagliardi said that Jake Haeckel led the back line.
On Oct. 8, North Branford recorded a convincing win over Two Rivers by a 6-1 score. Jimmy Augur and Esposito each scored twice, while Pavic and Joseph DaSilva netted a goal apiece. Zumbo made two saves for the win.
Girls’ Soccer
North Branford prevailed in both of its games last week and has now won four of its last five contests. Overall, North Branford’s record sits at 6-2-3.
On Oct. 4, North Branford went on the road and topped Old Saybrook 4-0. The T-Birds had four different goal scorers as Amanda Bouffard, Jenny Bryden, Alexi Rosado, and Deanna Sgambato all found the back of the net. Caitlin May and Sgambato had an assist each. Allie Augur made three saves in goal for the shutout.
Two days later, the T-Birds defeated Portland 1-0 as Augur made four stops to post the shutout. Mackenzie MacGowan scored in the second half to lift North Branford to victory. Through 11 games this season, Augur and the Thunderbirds’ defense has recorded seven shutouts and allowed just six goals.
Volleyball
The Thunderbirds won a pair of non-conference games last week and improved their overall record to 3-10 this season.
On Oct. 3, the T-Birds defeated Ansonia 3-0. Megan Hanratty had 35 assists and 13 digs in the win, while Samantha DeAngelo scored 12 service points with two aces and also had three assists.
North Branford was then victorious by a 3-0 count against Creed on Oct. 5 before losing 3-0 to Hale-Ray on Oct. 7. Hanratty finished with 19 assists in the Hale-Ray contest.
Field Hockey
North Branford won a pair of home games in Shoreline Conference action last week to own an 8-2-1 record this fall.
On Oct. 4, the T-Birds defeated Haddam-Killingworth by a 2-1 score behind a pair of goals by Sydney Hogan. Emmy Norton had an assist and MacKenzie Kaiser made seven saves to preserve the win.
On Oct. 6, North Branford shut out Valley 4-0 as Kaiser made eight saves. Hogan scored twice, plus Norton and Cara Sagnella both found the back of the net once. Hogan and Norton finished with one assist each.
Girls’ Cross Country
The T-Birds ran in the Shoreline Conference Large Meet at Coginchaug High School in Durham last week and came in third place. Finishing for the girls were Mackenzie Glenn (17th, 24:33); Jillian Damiani (23rd, 25:23); Winnie Chan (25th, 25:55); Julia Cassista (34th, 26:42); Sarah Sullivan (48th, 30:28); Morgan Ryan (53rd, 31:25); and Maria Bernabucci (59th, 33:01).
Boys’ Cross Country
North Branford competed in the Shoreline Conference Large Meet with host Coginchaug, Cromwell, Haddam-Killingworth, Morgan, and Valley on Sept. 27 and recorded a fourth-place finish. Racers for the T-Birds included Michael Madoule (17th, 19:13); Jared Jamieson (29th, 20:07); Parker Nadeau (48th, 21:16); Zachary Jamieson (60th, 22:19); Patrick Miconi (62nd, 22:24); Michael Rabuffo (77th, 23:40); and Joe Delucia (78th, 23:41).