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10/18/2021 12:00 AMField Hockey
The North Branford field hockey team recorded three shutouts last week to improve its overall mark to 11-1-2 on the year. The Thunderbirds blanked Old Saybrook, Sacred Heart Academy, and Haddam-Killingworth in recent action.
North Branford started off the week by notching a 3-0 home victory versus Old Saybrook on Oct. 11. Sophomore Keana Criscuolo had a goal and an assist for North Branford, while senior Olivia Toto and freshman Alivia Schmidt added one goal apiece. Head Coach Babby Nuhn also praised the play of senior captain Braedan LeBeau and senior Mia Oliverio in the victory.
Then on Oct. 13, the T-Birds hosted Sacred Heart Academy and won the non-conference game by a 3-0 score. Toto netted two goals with an assist in the win. Criscuolo had a goal with an assist, and junior Payton Kamienski also contributed an assist. Senior goalie Sam Helwig made three saves for the T-Birds, who received an excellent effort from freshman Lily Ardito on offense in the victory.
The following day, North Branford played a road game against Haddam-Killingworth and earned a 4-0 win for its third shutout on the week. Toto scored three goals to record her sixth hat trick of the season for the Thunderbirds. Criscuolo had a goal with an assist, while Kamienski also dished out an assist. Helwig earned her ninth shutout of the year in net.
Girls’ Volleyball
The North Branford girls’ volleyball team took three defeats last week and is now 4-12 on the season.
North Branford took a 3-1 home loss against Valley Regional on Oct. 12. The next day, the T-Birds faced Morgan on the road and lost the contest by a 3-0 score. Then on Oct. 16, North Branford hosted Branford and dropped a 3-2 decision versus the Hornets.
Football
The North Branford football team hosted Cromwell-Portland (C-P) for a Saturday afternoon showdown at Colafati Field on Oct. 16. The Thunderbirds took a 49-0 loss against C-P to move to 1-3 in the 2021 campaign.
C-P stormed out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter versus North Branford. The Panthers went on to score 21 points in the second quarter for a 49-0 halftime advantage. Following a scoreless second half, C-P walked off the field with the 49-point victory.
North Branford’s next game is on the road versus Haddam-Killingworth at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22.
Boys’ Soccer
The North Branford boys’ soccer team moved to 0-12 on the year after losing three recent contests at home.
On Oct. 13, North Branford took a 7-0 home loss against North Branford. Then on Oct. 15, the Thunderbirds hosted Westbrook and lost the contest by a 9-0 score. The following day, the T-Birds hosted Valley Regional and took a 7-0 loss to the Warriors at North Branford High School.
Girls’ Soccer
The North Branford girls’ soccer team took two road losses last week to move to 0-13 on the season.
The T-Birds lost to Old Saybrook by a 7-0 score in a road game on Oct. 11. Then on Oct. 15, North Branford faced Westbrook on the road and dropped a 4-0 decision.
Girls’ Cross Country
Junior Carolyn Heffernan represented the North Branford girls’ cross country program at the Wickham Invitational on Oct. 9. Heffernan competed in the small schools race and finished with a time of 25:12 for the 5K event at Wickham State Park in Manchester. Heffernan’s performance put her in 74th place in the race.
Boys’ Cross Country
Senior Zachary Chittenden competed on behalf of the North Branford boys’ cross country team when he ran at the Wickham Invitational last week. Heffernan posted a time of 23:03 for the small schools 5K at Wickham State Park on Oct. 9. Chittenden finished in 136th place for the event.