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10/13/2019 12:00 AMField Hockey
The North Branford field hockey team earned two more victories to improve to 10-0 this season and has still yet to give up a goal on the year. North Branford notched a 6-0 win over Sacred Heart Academy and then blanked Old Saybrook by a 4-0 score in last week’s action.
On Oct. 7, the Thunderbirds traveled to Hamden to take on Sacred Heart Academy and did not even allow a shot on goal in the game. Senior captain Melanie Norton got the scoring started in the first half with a goal at the 29:02 mark. Sophomore Olivia Toto tipped in the T-Birds’ second goal on a double assist from junior captain Kelli Jacobson and senior Bianca D’Onofrio. Norton scored her second goal of the game to push North Branford’s lead to 3-0, after which senior captain Ava Galdenzi scored on an assist from D’Onofrio at the 8:41 mark.
With 47 seconds left in the first half, junior Aly Kendrick set up senior captain Ali Barrett, who used her speed and excellent stick work to score a goal for a 5-0 advantage at halftime. Kendrick found the back of the cage on an assist from Galdenzi to make it 6-0 with 1:22 left in the game.
Head Coach Babby Nuhn said that Kendrick and Toto made plenty of great plays to set up scoring chances and added that D’Onofrio also made key contributions to the victory.
On Oct. 10, North Branford hosted Old Saybrook and claimed a 4-0 win. Senior Jaime Matthews made four saves to earn the shutout in goal for the Thunderbirds. Following a scoreless first half, Norton broke the tie with a goal off a corner hit by Galdenzi. Barrett added a goal later in the half with Norton getting the assist. Sophomore Mia Oliverio secured the win for North Branford by scoring two quick goals.
Coach Nuhn credited Kendrick for intercepting several passes by Old Saybrook that led to offensive opportunities for her squad. The coach also said that Jacobson turned in a great performance for the T-Birds.
North Branford had some fun on Oct. 12, when the team’s parents got in on the action by playing an exhibition game after the T-Birds’ practice. There were 24 parents on the field in an exciting day for all.
Girls’ Soccer
North Branford earned its first two victories of the season last week and is now 2-7-2 on the year. After taking a loss to East Haven, the T-Birds rebounded with wins over Hale-Ray and Old Saybrook.
On Oct. 8, North Branford took a 4-1 defeat against East Haven in a home game. Junior Karina Jassil scored the lone goal for the Thunderbirds.
North Branford then took the field on Oct. 10 and beat Hale-Ray by the score of 4-0. Junior Catie Dow scored the first goal for the Thunderbirds, and senior captain Lexi Rosado netted the second goal. Rosado then assisted the next two goals that were scored by juniors Ashlee Amendola and Zoe Miller.
After defeating Hale-Ray, North Branford took that momentum into its next contest and recorded a 2-0 shutout over Old Saybrook. Dow scored on an assist from Rosado to put North Branford on the board. Sophomore Grace Marra added an insurance marker by scoring off of a corner kick. Senior Gianna Sullo recorded her second-consecutive shutout in goal for the Thunderbirds.
Volleyball
The T-Birds earned a victory in one of their three contests last week to move to 3-10 this fall.
On Oct. 7, North Branford took a 3-0 road loss to Coginchaug. On Oct. 11, the Thunderbirds lost to Cromwell by a 3-1 score. North Branford finished the week on a high note by posting a 3-2 victory over Old Lyme on Oct. 12, marking the club’s second win over the Wildcats this season.
Football
North Branford had a bye for Week 5 play. With their record of 2-2, the Thunderbirds will get ready to host Old Saybrook-Westbrook at Colafati Field at noon on Saturday, Oct. 19.