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Warriors Defeat West Haven in Dream League Finale

After recently earning its first win of the summer, the North Haven Warriors girls’ lacrosse team didn’t have to wait long to get its second victory in the Dream League. On Aug. 10, the Warriors hosted West Haven for their season finale and triumphed in convincing fashion by claiming a 14-5 victory at North Haven Middle School.

Head Coach Bernie Pellegrino’s club finished the Dream League season with a record of 2-7 after winning its final two games of the campaign. Two of North Haven’s losses came in overtime and another one was also by a single goal.

Pellegrino, who also coaches the North Haven High School girls’ lacrosse team, appreciates that the non-profit James Vick Foundation created the Dream League after the spring campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s hard to believe the seven-week season has come to a conclusion. Our team accomplished so many things and built a solid foundation for our 2021 season with the help of the James Vick Foundation,” said Pellegrino. “For our young women, it was truly a dream that we could not have imagined in the despair of our canceled high school season.”

Prior to facing West Haven, the Warriors had notched a 13-10 victory against Stratford for its first Dream League win on Aug 2. One week later, North Haven put together an excellent all-around effort on its way to defeating the West Haven Bulldogs by a 14-5 score in its last matchup of the season.

Callie Kessler, Shea Saracino, and Mariella Biclegia led the Warriors in scoring for their big win over West Haven. Sophia Dorio, Lorelei King, Sophie Barra, Hayly Caruso, and Zaina Gebril also netted goals for North Haven.

Coach Pellegrino added that Eliza O’Connor and Juliana Wittig made crucial contributions in the victory. Pellegrino went on to praise his defensive corps for turning in some solid performances during the Dream League season, noting the impressive play of rising juniors Erin Johns, Riley Minns, Juliana Mascia, Emma Kirkaldie, and Jenna Pine.

North Haven’s last line of defense, goalkeeper Hannah Sommer, also played a great game for the Warriors in their victory versus the Bulldogs. Sommer made double-digit saves in net to continue her streak of stopping at least 10 shots in a game.

Prior to the West Haven game, Sommer was one of several members of the Warriors who received accolades for their performances in the Dream League. Sommer, who has never even played a varsity game in high school, wound up leading the Dream League in save percentage for the season. Sommer was named league’s Most Improved Player as a result, and Coach Pellegrino said that he’s eager to see how she fares with the varsity team as a junior next spring.

“Hannah has never played against competition like this, but it didn’t matter. She faced every challenge that these great teams presented, and she never flinched,” Pellegrino said. “We have a starting goaltender for next year, no question.”

King, who is also entering her junior year of high school, was named to the All-Dream League Team for her stellar performance throughout the campaign. King plays the attacking center position for the Warriors.

“Lorelei’s play throughout the season was awesome. She’s a great player both on the field and off,” said Pellegrino. “The players all look to her as a leader and playmaker. Lorelei has everything you could want from a competitor.”

Saracino, a rising junior who plays on the attack, was presented with one of the league’s biggest honors for her contributions both on and off the turf. Saracino received the Dream League’s Spirit Leadership Award for her efforts in organizing the league’s sponsorship and fundraising efforts from day one.

“There would be no Dream League season without Shea’s enthusiasm and support,” Coach Pellegrino said. “I could not be more proud of all of our honorees this season.”

Three days before the Warriors faced West Haven, they took a 15-6 loss against Branford in a Dream League North Division game at North Haven Middle School. Saracino, King, and Barra all scored for the Warriors in the loss. Sommer made 11 saves and also had an assist after making a long clear that led to a goal by Saracino.