This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
02/22/2020 11:00 PMBoys’ Ice Hockey
North Haven split a pair of recent matchups against divisional opponents to move to 11-5-3 entering the last week of the regular season. The Indians took an overtime loss to Branford and then came back to defeat Guilford later in the week.
North Haven faced off against Branford for an SCC/SWC Division II clash at Northford Ice Pavilion on Feb. 19. The Hornets netted a goal in overtime to come away with a 2-1 victory versus the Indians.
Branford opened the scoring with a goal just 1:05 into the game and held a 1-0 lead after the first period. Junior Aaron Racino scored from fellow junior Eli Brubacher with 4:38 left in the second period to make it 1-1 through two.
The third period was scoreless as both sides had several scoring opportunities, but were turned aside by the opposing goalie, sending the game to overtime. With 1:53 left in the OT period, Branford scored the game-winning goal to come away with the 2-1 victory.
Junior goalie Andrew Sacco played a great game in net by making 25 saves for the Indians.
On Feb. 22, North Haven claimed a 2-1 road win over divisional foe Guilford at Patsy DiLungo Ice Rink. The Indians now stand at 5-1-2 in the SCC/SWC Division II standings with the win.
Girls’ Ice Hockey
The Amity-North Haven-Cheshire (A-NH-C) girls’ ice hockey team took two road losses during the final week of the regular season. The Blades notched a record of 12-7-1 for regular-season play and will open the postseason by competing in the SCC Tournament this week.
On Feb. 17, A-NH-C dropped a 3-2 decision against Avon-Southington-RHAM-Newington-Lewis Mills-Wethersfield at Newington Arena. The Blades were down 2-0 entering the third period, but tied the game behind goals from Caroline Cadelina and Tess Csjeka. Avon broke the tie by scoring a goal later in the frame and went on to get the 3-2 win.
The next day, the Blades took a 7-5 defeat to SCC opponent West Haven-Sacred Heart Academy (WH-SHA) at Bennett Rink. This game was tied 5-5 heading into the third period, where WH-SHA netted a pair of goals to come away with the two-goal victory. Cjseka and Haley Cable both scored two goals, while Haley Cable had two assists for A-NH-C.
The Blades had recently earned a 7-6 overtime victory versus WH-SHA that helped them win the SCC regular-season title. As a result, the defending-champion Blades are the top seed in the SCC Tournament that gets underway this week. The Blades have a bye through the first round and will host the winner of No. 4 seed Hamden-Lyman Hall-Wilbur Cross and No. 5 Notre Dame-Fairfield/Foran/Law/Pomperaug/Weston in the semifinals at Lou Astorino Ice Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 26. With a win, the Blades will advance to the SCC championship game at Bennett Rink on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 1 p.m.
Boys’ Indoor Track
Brothers Luke Maruca and Kyle Maruca competed in shot put for North Haven at the State Open Championship last week. Luke Maruca came in eighth place, while fellow senior Kyle Maurca finished 13th for the event at Floyd Little Athletic Center on Feb. 22.
Luke Maruca recorded a distance of 47 feet-2.5 inches to take eighth place in the shot put at the Open. He had previously finished second at the SCC West Sectional Championship, third in the SCC Championship, and third at the Class L State Championship.
Kyle Maruca posted a throw of 43 feet-8.75 inches to finish 13th for the shot put at the State Open. He had taken third place at sectionals, fourth at SCCs, and fifth in Class L.
Boys’ Swimming and Diving
The Greater New Haven Warriors boys’ swimming and diving team hosted Lyman Hall-Coginchaug for a divisional matchup at Walter Gawrych Community Pool on Feb. 20. The Warriors won the meet by the final score of 98-80 to improve to 7-2 overall with a record of 5-0 in SCC Division 2 action. GNH faces Sheehan in its regular-season finale before competing at the SCC Championship this week.
Sophomore Kyle Borrelli swam a lifetime-best time of 1:15.06 for the Warriors in their win over the Wallingford co-op. Junior Collin Romero turned in a lifetime best of 1:04.51 in the 100 freestyle, while freshman Patrick Cucchiarelli went a lifetime-best of 1:08.94 for the 100 butterfly.
Freshman Joey Gould swam lifetime best in the 500 freestyle (5:38.32) and a season best in the 200 freestyle (2:09.95) for GNH. Also posting season-best times were senior Evan Laughlin in the 50 freestyle (24.58) and 100 freestyle (56.94), junior Daniel Kamen in the 100 freestyle (54.05), and junior Tanner Powell in the 100 breaststroke (1:16.00).
The Warriors will begin the postseason by competing at the SCC Championship this week. The SCC Diving Championship takes place at Sheehan High School on Friday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m.; the Swimming Qualifier is at the Cheshire Community Pool on Monday, March 2 at 4 p.m.; and the SCC Swimming Championship will be held at Southern Connecticut State University beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4.
Boys’ Basketball
The Indians took two defeats last week to move to 8-11 with one game left in the regular season. North Haven starts off the playoffs by competing in the SCC Tournament this week.
On Feb. 18, the Indians took an 82-50 road loss against West Haven in an SCC Oronoque Division game. North Haven finished with a record of 2-6 in the Oronoque this year.
West Haven held a 20-19 lead after the first quarter and then outscored North Haven 16-6 in the second quarter for a 36-25 advantage at halftime. The Blue Devils then won the third quarter by a 29-10 margin to take a 65-35 lead into the fourth.
Senior Dave Christoforo scored 13 points for the Indians. Sophomore Chris Hager scored 10 points, senior Bryce Charney had eight points, junior Torray Armfield had seven points, and senior Joe Vitale scored six points.
Three nights later, the Indians dropped a 68-52 decision at Shelton. North Haven was up 20-15 after one, but Shelton won the second quarter 12-2 to take a 27-22 lead into halftime. The Gaels then outscored North Haven in both the third (17-11) and fourth (24-19) quarters to emerge victorious.
Charney scored 16 points, Hager had 13 points, and Christoforo scored 10 points for the Indians.
North Haven will open the SCC Tournament with a first-round game on Thursday, Feb. 27. The quarterfinals are on Saturday, Feb. 29 at Branford High School; the semis take place at Floyd Little Athletic Center on Monday, March 2; and the final is at that same site at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4.