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10/17/2016 12:00 AMField Hockey
The Thunderbirds’ field hockey played three games last week and finished with a 2-1 record to improve to 10-3-1 overall and 6-3 in Shoreline Conference action this season.
On Oct. 11, the T-Birds traveled to Morgan and won 4-0. MacKenzie Kaiser recorded the shutout in goal as four different North Branford players found the back of the net. Freshman Ali Barrett scored her first varsity goal and other goals were poured in by Cara Sagnella, Emmy Norton, and Stephanie Seymour, who also netted her first varsity score. Sydney Hogan, Sagnella, and Norton had an assist each.
On Oct. 14, North Branford was defeated by Westbrook, 1-0. Freshman Melanie Norton had a great game in the midfield for North Branford, while Zelda Galdenzi played stellar defense throughout.
The very next day, the T-Birds traveled to Waterford and came away with a 2-0 win. Hogan scored twice to add to her team-leading total of 10 goals this year in the victory. Meredith Johnson played solid defense and Amy Raucci played well on the right wing by helping to set up scoring chances.
Football
North Branford has lost three-straight games to drop to 1-3 this season. Last week, Valley Regional-Old Lyme scored 28 points in the second quarter and defeated the Thunderbirds 45-0.
Jeff Jablonski completed nine passes for 92 yards and Nico Sommo led the team with 54 rushing yards as the T-Birds finished the game with 158 on the ground. Defensively, Matt Sibley had 15 tackles and Nick Mancini finished with 12.
Boys’ Soccer
North Branford played two games last week and lost each of them to drop to 3-6-3 for the year. With three games remaining, the T-Birds need a win and a tie to make the State Tournament.
On Oct. 10, North Branford lost to Valley Regional 1-0 in a game where there was a great defensive effort by Jake Haeckel, Connor Pollack, Chris Candelora, and Gianni Lavorgna. The Warriors scored in the final 10 minutes to steal the victory.
On Oct. 13, Cromwell topped North Branford 3-0. Head Coach Brett Gagliardi said there were several missed opportunities at the goal for the T-Birds in the loss.
Volleyball
The Thunderbirds split their matches last week by defeating Morgan and losing to Haddam-Killingworth to stand at 4-11 overall.
North Branford defeated Morgan 3-2 on Oct. 10 as Nina Robertson led the way with 15 kills, 22 digs, and five aces. Patience Wilson had 25 digs and five kills, plus Megan Hanratty contributed 39 assists, 17 digs, and five aces.
On Oct. 14, Haddam-Killingworth defeated North Branford 3-0.
Boys’ Cross Country
On Oct. 5 the T-Birds traveled to Haddam-Killingworth to take part in the Cougar Invitational and the boys came in fifth place out of six teams. Racers included Michael Madoule (13th, 18:59); Parker Nadeau (22nd, 19:34); Austin Gibilisco (48th, 21:16); Michael Rabuffo (61st, 22:30); Zachary Jamieson (67th, 22:51); Pat Miconi (69th, 23:13); Joey Delucia (72nd, 23:33); Jason Ash (84th, 25:05); Hunter Boni (89th, 25:43); Freddie Little (91st, 26:26); and Nick Ash (98th, 30:01).
Girls’ Cross Country
North Branford competed in the Cougar Invitational on Oct. 5 and finished in fifth place among six schools. Runners for the T-Birds included Mackenzie Glenn (29th, 24:37); Jillian Damiani (31st, 25:11); Sarah Sullivan (40th, 26:13); Winnie Chan (46th, 26:33); Julia Cassista (48th, 27:09); Morgan Ryan (62nd, 31:49); and Maria Bernabucci (66th, 34:00).