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11/06/2016 12:00 AMThe North Branford girls’ soccer team has entered uncharted territory in its fourth season with Head Coach Pat Kozloski. This season marks the first time the Thunderbirds reached the Shoreline Conference Tournament in Kozloski’s tenure and they made it all the way to the championship game before taking a 1-0 defeat to Old Lyme.
“I think the consistency is having an effect. They work so hard, focused on this season, and their efforts are fortunately being rewarded,” Kozloski said. “Consistency is huge and we’re able to build on things because we don’t have to start from scratch. Players come with an understanding of what is expected and now we’re starting to raise the bar and have higher standards.”
North Branford entered the Shoreline Tournament as the No. 6 seed and won a pair of contests on the road to reach the final. The T-Birds defeated Old Saybrook 2-1 on Oct. 29 and dispatched Cromwell by the same score in overtime two days later before getting edged by top-seeded, defending champion Old Lyme at Portland High School on Nov. 4.
In the semifinal contest against Cromwell, North Branford and the Panthers went to overtime, where freshman Lexi Rosado scored a breakaway goal in the 92nd minute to send the T-Birds to the title game.
“Oh man, the girls were extremely excited,” Coach Kozloski said. “I had a sense of relief and a sense of, ‘Hey, we need to keep our composure. We have to do things properly to preserve this win.’ But the girls were absolutely overjoyed when that happened.”
However, it wasn’t all fun and games for North Branford versus Cromwell as the T-Birds struggled early and surrendered a goal to Jenna Serrantino in the 26th minute.
“I think we struggled the first 20 minutes. We let the big-game atmosphere get the best of us. Once we settled in, we started playing our game,” Kozloski said. “Even though we gave up the first goal, we kept working and doing the things we want to do. We tied it before the half, so the next 40 was like a 0-0 game that we settled into. That’s when we played a style of soccer we’re more used to.”
Right before halftime, Mackenzie MacGowan’s cross was buried by Caitlin May to draw the T-Birds even in the game.
“It was super important because we didn’t have to chase the game,” Kozloski said. “We were able to play our brand of soccer and keep formation.”
Sophomore goalie Allie Augur, who has been a rock for North Branford all season, played strong with 12 saves to preserve the victory and advance the Thunderbirds to the conference final. North Branford had its chances against Old Lyme, but it just wasn’t in the cards, as the Wildcats won their fourth-straight conference title. The only goal of the game was scored by Old Lyme’s Mya Johnson, who put one past Augur two minutes into the second half. Augur made nine saves in the loss.
“We knew going in Old Lyme was a great team. We knew it was an intense game. It was the fastest environment I’ve been in, but the girls met the opportunity and rose to the occasion. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, but we battled for 80 minutes,” Kozloski said. “We weren’t able to capitalize and score, but we didn’t defend the whole game. We tried to attack them, especially on the counter, but we didn’t have to defend for our lives. We played good soccer, just weren’t able to score.”
Coach Kozloski felt proud of his club showing the rest of the Shoreline what the Thunderbirds are made off with their strong showing in the conference tournament.
“I think it shows that we’re a team to be reckoned with. Experience of being in these big time games will help us improve and one day win a tournament title,” he said. “I think it shows the girls have been rewarded for their efforts. All I ask is to trust to process, they did, and we’re reaping the benefits of making states and playing in these big time games.”
North Branford earned the No. 13 seed in the Class M State Tournament and will host No. 20 East Catholic on Monday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. If the T-Birds prevail, they’ll either play at No. 4 Notre Dame-Fairfield or host No. 29 Bethel in second round action at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
“Honestly, we haven’t really talked about it. We’ll prepare tomorrow, but we were focused on living the Shoreline,” Kozloski said. “Now, we’ll put a focus on states and play one game at a time.”