Printer Friendly Version - 2016 Old Saybrook Rams Fall Year in Review

Head Coach Sam Barnes celebrates with his athletes after the Old Saybrook boys’ soccer team beat Morgan 2-1 to claim its first Shoreline Conference crown since 1964. During the season, Barnes also earned career victory No. 200 with the Rams, who would go on to reach the Class S state final and finish a 19-1-2.Photo by Kelley Fryer/Harbor News

There were success stories galore in Old Saybrook this fall. For starters, each of the Rams’ soccer teams reached their respective state finals with the boys also taking the Shoreline Conference title. Meanwhile, Rams’ football posted its best season in program history, while Old Saybrook also saw success on the cross country, field hockey, and girls’ swimming circuits.

The Old Saybrook boys’ soccer squad had a year to remember in 2016 as the Rams posted an undefeated regular season record, claimed their first Shoreline Conference title in 52 years, and reached the Class S State Tournament championship game.

Old Saybrook compiled a mark of 14-0-2 during a regular season that saw Head Coach Sam Barnes pick up his 200th career win when the team defeated Hale-Ray 4-0. In the conference tourney, the Rams earned a 4-1 victory versus Haddam-Killingworth and a 2-1 triumph over Morgan to win their first Shoreline championship since 1964. Senior Ashton Reina scored the go-ahead goal in the second half and also scored all four during the semifinal win.

In the State Tournament, Old Saybrook again defeated H-K (3-0) before scoring wins versus Somers (2-0) and Notre Dame-Fairfield (3-2) to advance to the championship game. In the final, the Rams lost to Coventry 2-0 to finish the season at 19-1-2. Junior Jonah Nucci was the Rams’ starting goalie.

The Rams introduced a new head coach in Berkeley Cecchini-Bond, whose squad went on a magical run in the Class S State Tournament to make its second state final in program history.

After going 8-3-5 for the regular season, Old Saybrook lost a 2-1 contest to North Branford in the Shoreline Conference Tournament semifinals. Then in the Class S State Tournament, the Rams beat Litchfield (3-0), St. Bernard (1-0), and St. Paul (3-1) to move on to the semis, where the Rams faced Portland claimed a 2-1 victory that was determined by a 5-3 margin in penalty kicks. Maggie Smith booted home the score that clinched the win. Old Saybrook took a 1-0 loss to Old Lyme in the Class S final to go 12-5-5 on the season.

Smith and MaryKate Marshall were the senior captains for the Rams, whose goalie was sophomore Kelsey True.

Old Saybrook-Westbrook recorded its most victories in program history by going 8-2 in its second season with Head Coach Mike Marone.

The Rams’ wins came against Haddam-Killingworth (41-13), SMSA-University-Classical (39-14), Coginchaug (48-16), Coventry-Windham Tech-Bolton (33-12), Windsor Locks-Suffield-East Granby (43-8), Nonnewaug (34-0), Gilbert-Northwestern (35-7), and Morgan (33-32 in overtime). Chase Cook rushed for the tying touchdown and kicked the winning extra point when the Rams edged Morgan. For the year, Cook rushed for 1,244 yards and 17 touchdowns on his way to earning All-Pequot Conference honors on offense and the Rams’ Most Valuable Playe4r Award. Fellow senior captain Kevin Morrissey made All-Pequot as an offensive lineman. Earning All-Pequot on defense were Vincent Dyer at linebacker and Victor Pascoe as a defensive back. Pascoe and Dyer were also huge contributors at quarterback and running back, respectively.

Old Saybrook second at the Shoreline Conference Championship and fourth for the Class S State Championship.

At Shorelines, Shane Henderson came in fourth with a time of 17:16 to make the All-Conference First Team, after which he finished fourth at states at 17:09 en route to All-State accolades. Henderson then ran a 17:12 to finish 62nd at the State Open. He also took first at the Shoreline Mega Meet. Dan Baldi came in eighth at the conference meet at 18:03 to make the All-Shoreline First Team. Making the Second Team were Eric Sultini (12th, 18:15) and Lance Sigersmith (18th, 18:39). Old Saybrook was coached by Pete Capezzone.

The Rams earned a third-place finish at the Shoreline Conference Championship that was followed by a fifth-place performance in the Class SS State Championship.

Jael Givehand took fourth (20:29) at the conference meet with Grace Hanratty finishing 10th (20:55) as both athletes made the All-Shoreline First Team. Tehra Givhand (15th, 21:03) and Aliana Castro (19th, 21:22) were Second Team honorees for Head Coach Pete Capezzone’s squad.

Old Saybrook won some big games down the stretch to qualify for the Class S State Tournament this fall.

Sitting at 2-9-1, the Rams claimed victory in their final four regular season contests to make states, clinching the bid with a 3-0 win over Waterford in their finale. Aubrey Efinger, Hannah Lemire, and Molly Beck scored goals for Old Saybrook, while Shadra Tiden had the shutout in net. Old Saybrook then took a 3-1 loss to Westbrook in the tournament to finish at 6-10-1 overall. The Rams were coached by Jodi Petrozak.

Sophomore Morgan Leopoldino finished in the top 10 of two events while representing Old Saybrook at the Class S State Championship.

In the 500 freestyle, Leopoldino finished third with a time of 5:25.92 to make All-State. Then in the 200 free, Leopoldino placed ninth overall at 2:04.44.

The Rams’ girls’ soccer team had an excellent year and made it all the way to the Class S championship game, where the Rams took a 1-0 loss to Old Lyme. Pictured with the Class S runner-up plaque are Head Coach Berkeley Cecchini-Bond with Arianna Heonis, MaryKate Marshall, and assistant coach Kendra Gerrish.Photo by Kelley Fryer/Harbor News

Chase Cook was a beast in the ground game for the Old Saybrook-Westbrook team, which notched its all-time best record by going 8-2 this fall.Photo by Kelley Fryer/Harbor News