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05/20/2018 12:00 AMGirls’ Lacrosse
The Thunderbirds’ girls’ lacrosse team won its final three games of the regular season to post a record of 14-2. North Branford is undefeated its Shoreline Conference contests this spring and has secured the top seed in this week’s Conference Tournament.
On May 14, North Branford’s offense was clicking on all cylinders when the T-Birds posted a 21-7 home victory over Morgan on Senior Night. Adriana Ingarra scored five goals, while Mackenzie MacGowan and Jessie Kilburn both scored four goals for North Branford. Emmy Norton, Emilie Wilkinson, and Ali Barrett scored two goals apiece, plus Barrett handed out a team-best four assists. Melanie Norton and Cayleen Defaranos both scored one goal for the Thunderbirds, who saw Carly Sorrentino make eight saves in net.
North Branford’s seniors—Jasmine Coleman, Ingarra, MacGowan, Norton, and Wilkinson—were honored as part of the Senior Night festivities prior to the game.
The Thunderbirds took on East Catholic on May 16 and won by the final of 10-8 in a non-conference game. Norton and Kilburn led the way with three goals each, and MacGowan found the back of the net twice for North Branford. Wilkinson and Ingarra added goals in the win. Sorrentino made eight saves to preserve the victory.
To close out the regular season, North Branford edged Old Lyme by a score of 7-6 on May 19. Wilkinson scored four goals, Norton had three goals, and Ingarra dished off three assists. Sorrentino recorded seven saves to pick up the win.
Boys’ Lacrosse
North Branford won its last two games of the regular season to clinch its place in the Class S State Tournament. The T-Birds posted a record of 8-8 for regular-season play.
On May 15, North Branford defeated Cromwell 14-3 to earn its postseason berth. In the win, Tyler Dinapoli scored six goals with three assists, while Dylan Martinik scored four goals to lead the way. Aiden Ferrucci, Matt Pedersen, Attilio Avallone, and Jacob Montanaro added one goal apiece for North Branford. Xavior Cognata made nine saves in goal.
To close out the regular season, the T-Birds beat Old Lyme by a 10-8 tally on May 19.
Baseball
North Branford punched its ticket into the Class S State Tournament by recording a big victory versus Hale-Ray last week. The T-Birds stand at 8-12 with one more game to go in the regular season.
The T-Birds started off the week by taking an 11-0 loss to North Haven on May 14, but quickly rebounded by defeating Hale-Ray 11-0 the next day to qualify for states. Steve Galluba earned the win on the mound as he allowed just three hits over five innings for North Branford, which scored 11 runs between the first two innings of the game. Carl Jacobson had a two-run home run in the first inning for the T-Birds.
Softball
The T-Birds beat Griswold on May 14 to improve to 18-0 with two games to play in its regular season.
Sydney Senerchia started the game for North Branford and went the distance, allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out 12 batters. Both of North Branford’s runs came in the first inning as Amy Raucci hit an RBI triple and Katy Pedersen followed with an RBI single. Jada Miconi had two hits and a run scored for the T-Birds, who saw Kayla Despres finish the game with a team-best three hits.
Girls’ Tennis
The T-Birds dropped a pair of contests last week to move to 8-10 with two matches remaining.
On May 14, North Branford took a 4-3 defeat against Westbrook. The Thunderbirds then faced Old Saybrook on May 16 and lost by a 6-1 score.
Boys’ Tennis
The Thunderbirds lost a 7-0 contest versus Old Saybrook on May 16. North Branford is now 0-9 on the year.
Golf
North Branford competed in two matches last week, coming away with one victory for a mark of 2-11 on the year.
On May 14, North Branford traveled to Black Birch and took on Haddam-Killingworth and East Hampton. H-K defeated the T-Birds 178-183, but North Branford’s score of 183 was good enough to beat East Hampton, which finished the round with a 201.
The Thunderbirds hosted Coginchaug at Indian Springs on May 16 and lost by the final of 174-198. Paul Zumbo shot a 47, John Lovelace scored a 49, Zack Smola finished with a 50, and Dave Murgo turned in a 52.