This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
12/01/2018 11:00 PMOn the heels of a historic 2017 season, the North Branford field hockey team put together another landmark campaign in 2018. The Thunderbirds won the Shoreline Conference Tournament for the second year in a row on their way to finishing with an overall record of 15-3-1-1 this fall. North Branford took the conference crown by earning a 2-0 victory versus Westbrook in the championship game.
Head Coach Babby Nuhn always emphasizes team unity both on and off the field among the T-Birds. The recent season proved no exception as North Branford strived to defend its Shoreline title.
“With our North Branford team, it is not just a cliché: We genuinely all work together for our common goal. We are a team, and there is so much bonding with various daily practices, as well as many community-based activities throughout the season and offseason,” Coach Nuhn said. “We have learned to work together just as family members do. Everyone has a responsibility and specific expectations...We had much individual talent, but we needed to jell together as a team and keep the philosophy of continuous improvement, because I believe a team’s cohesiveness is imperative for a successful program.”
One of the biggest things for Coach Nuhn coming into this season was that North Branford didn’t let last year’s success affect this year’s performance. Even though her team went undefeated while winning Shoreline and Class S state titles last season, Nuhn wanted the 2018 Thunderbirds to carve out their own identity on the field.
“Of course, coming off an undefeated season with a league and state title, we knew we had to bring up our intensity and start to get focused. Our Shoreline league has many good teams,” Nuhn said. “So, we emphasized the importance of roles for every player and increased our skills and inner fortitude each and every day.”
The T-Birds’ hard work throughout the campaign paid off on Nov. 1, when they posted a 2-0 shutout over Westbrook in the Shoreline Conference final at the Indian River Complex in Clinton. To advance to the title game, North Branford had edged Valley Regional by a 2-1 score in triple overtime in the semifinal round.
Juniors Ali Barrett and Ava Galdenzi scored North Branford’s goals in the win against Westbrook, with senior captain Jordan Regan recording a shutout in net. In the semis, North Branford defeated Valley when Barrett found the back of the cage in the third overtime.
“It was a great feat to win the Shoreline title again over two outstanding opponents,” said Nuhn. “Our six seniors led the way with their positive interaction with their teammates.”
Senior captain Amy Raucci earned All-Shoreline Conference First Team honors, in addition to winning North Branford’s Desire and Dedication Award this year. Galdenzi made the All-Shoreline First Team and was also selected as North Branford’s Most Valuable Player. Barrett was named the T-Birds’ Best Offensive Player, while sophomore Kelli Jacobson won the Best Defensive Player Award, plus both athletes were All-Shoreline Second Team selections. Senior captain Kaylee Velez earned North Branford’s Most Improved Player Award, and senior Joanna Phabmixay took home the Most Coachable Player Award.
Coach Nuhn said that all of her seniors, including players like Hannah Augur and Cayleen Defaranos, made a big difference for North Branford this year. Nuhn added that one of the T-Birds’ greatest assets was the solid play of Regan at the goalie position.
“Jordan had an amazing 10 shutouts for us this season. She and her defense continually grew stronger every practice,” Nuhn said. “We featured an inexperienced varsity defense this year, and Jordan was instrumental in guiding our backs and allowing them to learn on the job with minimal impact to the final score.”
As the No. 6 seed in the Class S State Tournament, North Branford defeated No. 11 seed Old Saybrook by 1-0 a score in a first-round matchup, before taking a 3-1 loss at No. 3 Immaculate in the quarterfinals. In the end, Coach Nuhn believes that defeat will serve as another learning experience for the athletes who return to the Thunderbirds in 2019.
“I do not like to predict outcomes. The decision will rest on the underclassmen who have so much talent. They are the ones who will need to realize the extra commitment and role they will have to bring back a [Shoreline championship] and run in the State Tournament,” Nuhn said. “Our team is filled with great skills and opportunities. The challenge is up to them.”
From the Sidelines
The North Branford field hockey team’s 2018 roster featured senior captains Amy Raucci, Kaylee Velez, and Jordan Regan; fellow seniors Joanna Phabmixay, Hannah Augur, and Cayleen Defaranos; juniors Ava Galdenzi, Bianca D’Onofrio, Emily Olsen, Ali Barrett, Avonlea LeBeau, Alyssa Waligroski, Izabella Mott, Gianna Wulff, Jaime Matthews, Melanie Northon, and Alliyah Tropiano; sophomores Karina Jassil, Alyssa Nero, Kelli Jacobson, Sophia Anastasio, Emma Serenson, Jada Micona, Aly Kendrick, Zoe Hughes, Sofia Votto, Amanda Nuzzo, Ella Taylor, and Gabby Gibilisco; and freshmen Samantha Helwig, Meghan Montanaro, Marissa Raffone, Saoirse Burke, Madison Montanaro, Bella Hills, Olivia Toto, and Braeden LeBeau.
Thunderbirds’ Head Coach Babby Nuhn was assisted by Evaun Boatman, Lori Connelly, and Kathy Galdenzi.
North Branford posted regular-season wins against Amity (7-4), Old Saybrook (5-1), Valley Regional (3-2 and 1-0), Sacred Heart Academy (2-1), Morgan (4-0 and 3-0), Haddam-Killingworth (5-0 and 3-0), Stafford (3-0), Killingly (8-0), and Waterford (8-0). The T-Birds took defeats versus Westbrook (3-0), Old Saybrook (3-2), and East Lyme (3-2 in OT). North Branford also earned a 1-1 tie with Westbrook during the regular season.
In the Shoreline Conference Tournament, North Branford earned a 2-1, triple-overtime win against Valley Regional in the semifinals, after which the T-Birds claimed their second straight conference title by defeating Westbrook 2-0 in the final.
In the Class S State Tournament, the 6th-seeded Thunderbirds defeated No. 11 seed Old Saybrook 1-0 in the first round and then dropped a 3-1 decision at No. 3 Immaculate in the quarterfinals.