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12/22/2016 11:00 PMThe 2016 fall season in Westbrook was highlighted by the field hockey team recording a boatload of achievements, including the program’s first state championship since 1975. Along with that, Caitlin McNary saw a storybook finish to an exceptional tenure in the pool.
Field Hockey
The Westbrook field hockey squad had a season that most teams can only dream about in 2016. The Knights’ campaign was filled with multiple milestones, featured a Shoreline Conference Tournament championship, and culminated with Westbrook claiming its second state crown in program history.
Westbrook tore through the regular season by netting a record of 14-1-1. On Oct. 17, Knights’ Head Coach Janet Dickey collected career victory No. 200 when Westbrook shut out Granby Memorial 1-0. The following day, Westbrook defeated Morgan 6-0 in a game that saw senior forward Alexa Mulvihill score her 20th goal on the season and break the school record, which had been 17. Mulvihill finished with 33 goals for the year.
In the Shoreline Conference Tournament, the Knights upended North Branford 3-2 in the semifinals and then captured their first tournament title by edging Valley Regional 1-0 in the final. Mulvihill scored the game’s lone goal in the second half. Westbrook then entered the Class S State Tournament and notched victories against Old Saybrook (3-1), New Fairfield (3-2), and Granby Memorial (3-0) to advance to its second state final and first in 41 years. Westbrook faced off against Haddam-Killingworth in the Class S final and the teams played to a 1-1 tie to share the title as co-champions. With her team trailing 1-0, Mulvihill scored a goal to tie the game for the Knights, who finished the year with an overall record of 19-1-2.
In addition to Mulvihill, who was named the Shoreline Conference Player of the Year, Westbrook saw senior back Zoe Ehlert and senior midfielder Lauren Kane earn All-Conference First Team honors. Senior back Cassie Vitti, senior forward Biance Ferrucci, and junior goalkeeper Lauren Wright made the All-Conference Second Team. Dickey was selected as the Connecticut High School Field Hockey Coaches’ Association’s Class S Coach of the Year.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving
Caitlin McNary capped her remarkable high school swimming career by posting a pair of victories at the Class S State Championship.
McNary prevailed in both the 100 freestyle and the 200 freestyle with times of 51.46 and 1:50.89, respectively, at the state meet. Then at the State Open Championship, McNary swam to second place in both of her events, posting a time of 51.08 for the 100 freestyle and a mark of 1:50.96 in the 200 free.
McNary’s sister, sophomore Marissa McNary, finished sixth in both the 200 individual medley (2:14.95) and the 100 backstroke (1:01.69) at the Class S meet.
Boys’ Soccer
Westbrook finished with a record of 5-5-6 during the regular season to qualify for the Class S State Tournament.
The Knights clinched their postseason berth by earning a 1-0 win over Whitney Tech on Senior Night. Then in the state tourney, Head Coach Gerald Carlone’s club was eliminated in the first round with a loss to Wamogo. The team went 5-6-6 overall.
Westbrook’s lone senior captain was Jason Raunikar. Jake Marciniec, a junior, played goalie for the Knights.
Girls’ Soccer
The Knights welcomed a new head coach in Rob McConville and notched a record of 5-10-1 on the season.
Adara Bochanis led the Knights as a senior captain.