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07/05/2020 12:00 AMThe North Haven High School girls’ lacrosse team didn’t get a chance to play the 2020 season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the athletes on the team are still getting an opportunity to compete this summer in the Dream League, a free statewide league for high school girls’ lacrosse players. The league, which was founded by the nonprofit James Vick Foundation, is kicking off its season with a slate of games this week.
The North Haven Warriors are one of 10 squads participating in the Dream League. The team features 24 lacrosse players from town and is coached by Bernie Pellegrino, a longtime assistant with the high school team who was set to make his debut as head coach this spring. The Warriors are hosting the Madison Mavericks for their first game at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8 at North Haven Middle School. On Saturday, July 11, North Haven will play a road game against the Guilford Seahawks at 7 p.m.
“This has just been awesome for the kids. With all the disappointment that they went through with the cancellation of the season, for them to have this opportunity is great,” Coach Pellegrino said. “The kids are super excited. They are there early and would stay late if I didn’t have to go to work. They’ve done a great job at our practices so far.”
North Haven has held five practices in preparation of the 2020 campaign. All of the players, coaches, and volunteers who are affiliated with the Dream League had to get tested for COVID-19 and must also follow prevention protocols like temperature checks before practices and games. The league features a staff of prevention protocol volunteers, as well as doctors and registered nurses, who oversee the protocols and test results.
Along those lines, there is no shared water or shared equipment at North Haven’s practices. The only people who are allowed to set up anything on the field are Pellegrino and assistant coach Frank Biceglia. There are no benches on the sidelines. North Haven’s players either can sit on the sidelines or each bring their own individual seat.
Coach Pellegrino said that the league is doing an excellent job of putting measures in place to ensure everyone’s safety.
“It was well-thought-out and well-organized. I feel safe on the field, and the kids do, too,” said Pellegrino. “The other day, someone said that it felt great to be there with her friends and that everyone felt safe. It’s almost like we can put COVID aside for two hours, enjoy being on the field together, and feel safe about it.”
The Warriors will be led by three athletes who recently graduated from North Haven High School. North Haven’s captains are defensive wing Erika Holle and attacker Callie Kessler, who were also named the captains for the high school team this year. Defensive wing Christina DeAngelo rounds out a trio of experience veterans who are looking to pilot the Warriors to a successful season.
“We have great leadership, and we are already seeing it on the field,” Pellegrino said. “All three of them are great leaders who are respected by the younger kids, because they lead by example. That is the best type of leadership that these kids can exhibit. They’re ready to go, and the other kids are following their lead. We are lucky to have those girls involved in the Dream League.”
North Haven also features five players who are entering their senior years at the high school. Those athletes are attacker Mariella Biceglia, attacking wing Gianna Mastroianni, defensive wing Sophie Barra, and defenders Mackenzie White and Zaina Gebril.
The Warriors have a huge group of soon-to-be juniors on their roster, including goalkeeper Hanna Sommer. The other people in North Haven’s corps of rising juniors are attackers Shea Saracino, Eliza O’Connor, Juliana Mascia, Emma Kirkaldie, and Sophia Chagnon; attacking center Lorelei King; attacking wing Sophia Dorio; defensive wings Jenna Pine, Hayly Caruso, and Riley Minns; and defenders Lauren Boegart, Erin Johns, Sophia Melillo, and Juliana Wittig.
Attacker Ava Huntley is also a member of the team. Huntley will be a sophomore at North Haven this year.
“The progress so far has been good, and I think we are going to be hungry. We have a lot of younger players and a lot of experience,” said Pellegrino. “I think we will be aggressive on defense and very quick on offense. We have been talking about movement on offense, and they have picked up on it. If you are going to stop us, you are going to have to be able to move your feet.”
There are two divisions in the Dream League. North Haven is playing in the North Division with Guilford, Madison, the Branford Sting, and the Wallingford West Side. The teams in the South Division are the Amity Vikings, Shelton Stags, West Haven Bulldogs, Stratford Devil Dogs, and the Monroe Panthers.
Every team in the league has 10 games on its regular-season schedule, including two contests against each of its divisional opponents to go with two games versus non-divisional opponents. Each team will also host a Senior Night game. North Haven’s Senior Night matchup is against Amity at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 31.
The regular season runs through Wednesday, Aug. 8, after which there will be postseason tournaments for each of the two divisions. The winners of those tournaments will then square off in the championship game.
Coach Pellegrino said that North Haven’s goals for the season are “to be safe, have fun, and get better every time we are on the field.” Pellegrino was disappointed that he didn’t get to see his athletes take the field this spring, but he’s looking forward to working with them as the Warriors play some lacrosse in the Dream League throughout the summer.
“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to get back on the field with the kids,” Pellegrino said. “It looked like it was going to be a season lost, but I’m all fired up again about participating in this league.”
North Haven Warriors Girls’ Lacrosse Schedule
Wednesday, July 8: vs. Madison at 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 11: at Guilford at 7 p.m.
Friday, July 17: vs. Wallingford at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, July 21: vs. West Haven at 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: vs. Guilford at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29: vs. Branford at 6 p.m.
Friday, July 31: vs. Amity at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 4: at Madison at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6: at Wallingford at 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 8: at Branford at 7 p.m.