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11/15/2020 11:00 PMOn Sept. 19, the North Branford field hockey team wasn’t even able to hold a practice as it had 19 players in quarantine in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Nov. 10, the Thunderbirds walked off their home field as Shoreline Conference champions for the fourth year in a row.
The T-Birds achieved the four-peat by earning a 2-0 victory versus Old Saybrook in the Shoreline Conference Championship at North Branford High School last week. Head Coach Babby Nuhn’s club finished its second-straight undefeated season with a record of 10-0, while outscoring its opponents by a 38-3 margin and battling past every obstacle in its path.
“Every game, every practice this season has been a reward working with these outstanding kids. We never took a day of practice or a game for granted. Going through every game and culminating with that Shoreline championship, it was a miracle,” Nuhn said. “It was wonderful that they were able to stay healthy and overcome so many obstacles. To come home with an undefeated season is just fantastic.”
Top-seeded North Branford and No. 2 seed Old Saybrook were locked in a 0-0 tie at halftime of the Shoreline title game. As the T-Birds talked things over at halftime, senior captain Kelli Jacobson knew that everyone understood what they needed to do to claim another conference crown.
“The energy was that we got this, we just had to put our heads to it. We definitely had chances, and we just knew we had to finish it,” said Jacobson. “We knew that we were doing well, and we just had to put the ball in the net. We talked to our forwards and told them, ‘You got this, you need to do this.’”
At the 3:17 mark of the third period, Jacobson passed the ball to junior Olivia Toto, who sent home the opening goal for a 1-0 North Branford lead. With 5:37 remaining in the game, senior captain Sophia Anastasio assisted junior Mia Oliverio for an insurance goal that made it 2-0, which held up as the final score.
Senior goalie Sofia Votto made three saves to get the shutout in net for the T-Birds, who posted shutouts in nine of their 10 games this year, including their final seven. Toto and Jacobson each recorded at least one goal or an assist in all 10 of those contests, while helping North Branford maintain Shoreline supremacy.
“Knowing that that goal was as important as it was, it was the best feeling knowing that my teammates were there with me,” said Toto, who led North Branford with 13 goals scored on the year. “It was an incredible feeling, especially in a championship game that was so close. Working with my teammates and knowing that we all worked so hard to get that goal, it was incredible.”
All three goals that North Branford allowed his season came in one game—a 4-3 victory against Old Saybrook on Oct. 14. Coach Nuhn said that game proved crucial to the T-Birds’ success this season. While it was a win, Nuhn and her players saw their mistakes as they watched the film and then started working hard to correct them. When North Branford faced Old Saybrook in the Shoreline Championship, goalkeeper Votto wanted to use what she learned from the earlier encounter to her advantage with the conference title on the line.
“As the goalie, it was definitely difficult when Old Saybrook scored those three. I know I could have played better,” Votto said. “Playing them again and earning a shutout was amazing. I took that failure as something good and made the best out of it.”
Coach Nuhn said that the T-Birds’ undefeated season was spearheaded by the seven seniors on her roster. Jacobson, who recently committed to play for the University of New Haven, and Anastasio served as the team’s captains this year. North Branford’s senior class also features goalkeeper Votto, defenders Emma Serenson and Amanda Nuzzo, center midfielder Aly Kendrick, and left back Gabby Gibilisco. Coach Nuhn said that all seven athletes were crucial to the team’s success and played a huge part in helping the T-Birds deal with the ups and downs of the season.
“A team is only as strong as its seniors. With their leadership, their positive work ethic, their determination—these kids walked the walk. They had to get back their conditioning, and they were determined, all of them. They worked hard physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Nuhn said. “This year’s senior’s overall record in four years is 66 wins, four losses, three ties, and one overtime loss. Those stats are remarkable for any sport at any time. I’m super proud of them. They’re just outstanding.”
In addition to improving on the field, North Branford’s athletes stayed connected off of the field this season. As the Thunderbirds worked their way through quarantine, they often had Zoom meetings and played online games to make sure that everyone was staying safe and engaged. Whether it was winning games or having online scavenger hunts, Anastasio felt that the T-Birds’ biggest strength this season was their ability to jell together as a unified group.
“It was really amazing. We all bonded so much this year. We all came together. Being with all the girls and being at practice all the time was just an amazing experience. I’m so glad I was a part of it,” said Anastasio. “Being a captain definitely meant a lot. We got to be great leaders, and we got to be there for our team.”
Earlier in the year, it was questionable if North Branford would even have a season. Despite the bumps, the Thunderbirds hung tough and were able to claim the latest in a long line of Shorelines titles. Coach Nuhn said it was an honor to coach the squad, and is proud of each of her athletes for persevering through it all on their way to another undefeated season.
“I’ve been coaching a few years. I’ve never experienced anything like this. To practice this year was a thrill, to play a game this year was a thrill, the finish to the season was a dream,” Nuhn said. “To go this far undefeated is remarkable. I didn’t do it. These seniors did it. They’re the best of friends. They work real hard. Others might have folded or made excuses. Not this group. No way at all. They were determined. They’re just an awesome group of kids.
North Branford’s roster includes senior captains Kelli Jacobson and Sophia Anastasio, Emma Serenson, Aly Kendrick, Sofia Votto, Amanda Nuzzo, and Gabby Gibilisco; juniors Olivia Toto, Mia Oliverio, Samantha Helwig, and Braeden LeBeau; sophomores Gianna Palma, Avery Kendall, Mia Park, and Payton Kamienski; and freshmen Sophia Toto, Lindsey Onofrio, Gianna Gamble, Keana Criscuolo, Tea Ferrucci, Gabi Senerchia, Morgan Lucibello, Kate Vaspasiano, Mikella O’Brien, and Gabby Palma. Coach Nuhn’s coaching staff featured Evaun Boatman, Lori Connelly, and Kathy Galdenzi.