Printer Friendly Version - North Branford Field Hockey and Girls’ Soccer Win States Openers, Lose in Next Round

Senior captain Amy Raucci provided the assist on junior Ali Barrett’s game-winning goal in overtime when the North Branford field hockey team edged Old Saybrook by a 1-0 final in the first round of states. The T-Birds went on to take a 3-1 defeat against Immaculate and finish the year at 15-3-1-1 overall. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

The North Branford field hockey team posted an overtime victory versus Old Saybrook in its Class S State Tournament opener last week, after which the T-Birds took a loss against Immaculate in the quarterfinals on Nov. 8. North Branford completed the 2018 season with an overall record of 15-3-1-1.

In the first round of states, No. 6 seed North Branford defeated No. 11 Old Saybrook by a 1-0 score in overtime. Senior captain Amy Raucci assisted junior Ali Barrett for the game-winning goal at the 7:57 mark of overtime to secure the victory. Senior captain Jordan Regan recorded her 10th shutout of the year by making four saves for Head Coach Babby Nuhn’s club.

Two days later, North Branford was on the road to face No. 3 seed Immaculate and took a 3-1 defeat in a quarterfinal contest. Following a scoreless first half, the Mustangs scored the game’s first goal early in the second half. Immaculate added another goal about four minutes later for a 2-0 advantage. The T-Birds rallied to make it a 2-1 game following some great teamwork by junior Avonlea LeBeau in the midfield. LeBeau’s ability to work the ball up the field helped Barrett set up a goal by junior Ava Galdenzi. North Branford had several opportunities to tie the game, although Immaculate thwarted each attempt. The Mustangs went on to score an insurance goal to get the 3-1 victory.

North Branford had previously finished with a record of 12-2-1-1 during the regular season. In the Shoreline Conference Tournament, the T-Birds claimed their second consecutive title by beating Valley Regional 2-1 in the semifinals and then topping Westbrook 2-0 in the championship game.

The North Branford girls’ soccer team defeated Law in its first game of states and then lost a second-round contest versus Morgan last week. The Thunderbirds recorded an overall mark of 10-4-5 on the year.

No. 12 seed North Branford opened state tourney play by facing No. 21 seed Law on Nov. 5. The T-Birds came away with a 1-0 victory to advance to the second round. Senior Caitlin May scored on a header off a free kick from junior Lexi Rosado about six minutes into the game for the lone goal of the day. Law dominated possession throughout the rest of the first half and had its chances to tie it, but senior goalkeeper Allie Augur made nine saves to preserve the victory for Head Coach Pat Kozloski’s squad.

In the second round, North Branford dropped a 2-1 decision at No. 5 seed Morgan on Nov. 7. The Huskies scored the first goal about 25 minutes into the game, but just 34 seconds later, senior Ana Pavic found the back of the net on a long shot to tie the score. However, Morgan took a 2-1 lead by scoring the go-ahead goal with just less than three minutes to play in the opening half, and then held off the T-Birds the rest of the way to come away with the win. Augur made six saves for North Branford.

Previously, North Branford posted a record of 9-2-5 during the regular season. Then in the Shoreline Conference Tournament, North Branford took a 1-0 defeat to Cromwell after losing by a 4-2 differential on penalty kicks.

North Branford dropped a 21-6 decision against Stafford-East Windsor-Somers in its final home game of the season on Nov. 9. The T-Birds have a record of 2-7 with one contest remaining this fall.

The Thunderbirds struck first when sophomore quarterback Brandon Fratta hit sophomore receiver Alex Clinton for a 16-yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead in the opening quarter. However, the Bulldogs scored three unanswered touchdowns throughout the rest of the game to emerge victorious.

Senior Lou Raffone carries the ball two times for 48 yards for North Branford. Defensively, senior Nick Mancini had 17 tackles, and freshman Ryan Vaspasiano finished with 12 tackles.

North Branford (2-7, 1-5) will conclude the 2018 campaign when it faces Pequot Conference Sassacus Division opponent Coginchaug/Hale-Ray/East Windsor (4-5, 2-4) in the annual Thanksgiving Eve meeting between the teams on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The game will take place at 6 p.m. at Coginchaug High School.

Senior Caitlin May scored the lone goal in the North Branford girls’ soccer team’s 1-0 victory over Law in the opening round of the Class M State Tournament last week. The Thunderbirds later lost a 2-1 contest versus Morgan in the second round. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound