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12/22/2016 11:00 PMThe Morgan boys’ soccer squad made its second straight appearance in the Shoreline Conference Tournament championship game this fall, avenging last year’s loss to Old Lyme by beating the Wildcats in the semifinals. Meanwhile, first-year runner Kate Daley turned in an exceptional showing on the cross country course, while the Huskies girls’ soccer and football teams also had winning seasons.
Boys’ Soccer
Despite dealing with a slew of injuries, Morgan boys’ soccer had a solid season that saw the team reach the Shoreline Conference Tournament final for the second year in a row.
After going 11-4-1 during the regular season, Head Coach Ross Demay’s squad beat Valley Regional 2-1 in the Shoreline quarters, followed by a 1-0 win over Old Lyme in the semis on an overtime goal by Tyler Newfield. Morgan then dropped a 2-1 contest against Old Saybrook in the conference final. After that, Morgan competed in the Class S State Tournament and dispatched Whitney Tech 5-0 before losing to Cromwell 1-0 in the second round for a final record of 14-6-1.
The captains for the Huskies were juniors Juan Avila, Newfield, and goalie Anes Gadun. Avila and Gadun made the All-Shoreline First Team, while Avila was also named All-State. Jhan Carlos Bermeo and fellow junior James Saturno were All-Shoreline Second Team selections.
Girls’ Soccer
The Huskies finished with a regular season record of 8-6-2, qualifying for the Shoreline Conference Tournament and the Class M State Tournament.
In Shorelines, Morgan dropped a 1-0 loss to Valley Regional in the quarterfinal round. After that, Head Coach Megan Kilbride’s club posted an 8-0 shutout of Wilcox Tech in states. The Huskies’ season came to an end with a record of 9-8-2 after they took a 4-1 loss to Lewis Mills in the second round.
Morgan’s captains were seniors Shannon Maher and Olivia Digiandomenico. The team’s goalie was senior Kate Driscoll.
Girls’ Cross Country
The 2016 season featured Huskies’ junior Kate Daley putting together a great campaign that culminated with an appearance at the State Open Championship.
To start the postseason, Daley raced to ninth place with a time of 20:50 at the Shoreline Conference Championship, earning All-Conference First Team honors. Then at the Class SS State Championship, Daley took 15th place at 20:44 to help Morgan finish 15th. Daley capped her campaign by coming in 67th at the Open with a time of 20:47. Previously during the season, she finished first at Morgan’s Husky Run and was third at the Run to the Sun Invitational.
Morgan Head Coach Mike Underwood was inducted into the Shoreline Conference Cross Country Hall of Fame this year.
Boys’ Cross Country
Morgan came in 10th place at the Shoreline Conference Championship and 20th place for the Class SS State Championship.
Thomas Southwood recorded the Huskies’ top performance at each meet by taking 30th at Shorelines and finishing in 57th in Class SS.
Football
The Huskies finished with another winning record in their second season with Head Coach Peter Nye by going 6-4.
Morgan’s victories came against CREC (49-14), Haddam-Killingworth (33-27), North Branford (20-13), Granby Memorial (34-8), Canton (48-14), and Lewis Mills (49-14). In the H-K victory, Morgan hung by stopping the Cougars on 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line with under a minute to play. Then against North Branford, Madden Ward threw a touchdown to Harry White with 15 seconds left to give Morgan the victory. The Huskies’ season ended with a 33-32 overtime loss to Old Saybrook-Westbrook.
Morgan’s senior captains were Matt Capece (lead captain), a center/defensive lineman; along with offensive tackle/linebacker George Limosani and offensive guard/defensive end Ivan Villaneuva. Making the All-Pequot Conference Team were White at wide receiver, senior Eli Luchuk at linebacker, and Limosani on the defensive line. Senior quarterback Ward was the Huskies’ MVP, White was named Offensive MVP, and senior linebacker Zachary McCray earned Defensive MVP honors.
Volleyball
Paige Trusty was in her first season as Morgan’s head coach, replacing Joe Grippo, who had coached the team since 1983 and amassed more than 600 wins, in addition to 12 state titles, plus 22 consecutive Shoreline Conference championships. In Trusty’s first campaign, the young Huskies finished at 7-13 and came up one victory shy of states.
Morgan’s came with a 3-2 triumph versus East Hampton. The Huskies were led by senior captains Alyssa Robinson and Sydney Chomicz.
Field Hockey
The Huskies finished at 0-15-0-1 in the fall season.
Morgan picked up a point when the team dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Norwich Free Academy. The Huskies’ head coach was Melissa Fritze.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving
Morgan was represented by a pair of relays at the Class S State Championship. Sage Follo, Katherine Kios, Emma Riccio, and Alexis Alfano competed in the 200 freestyle relay, while Riccio, Follo, Alfano, and Lauren Bousquet swam the 200 medley relay.