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2021 North Haven Sports Year in Review

After the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the sports scene in 2020, things started to get back to normal as 2021 unfolded. While there were some twists and turns along the way, the winter, spring, and fall high school seasons were all completed this year and featured plenty of success stories at the local level. Let’s take a look back at the highlights of 2021 in North Haven sports.

Winter

The 2020-’21 winter season was an abbreviated one that featured no state tournaments or state championship meets. Instead, conference competitions served as the culmination of the season. There were no wrestling or cheerleading seasons held, and indoor track teams competed on a limited basis, if at all. Several teams around the state missed portions of their seasons after going into quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19.

The North Haven boys’ ice hockey team made history by winning its first conference title in program history this winter. Head Coach Chris Avena’s squad finished the campaign with an overall record of 8-2.

North Haven posted a mark of 5-2 during a regular season that saw the team miss a few weeks after going into quarantine. However, North Haven returned to the ice at the end of the season and competed in the SCC/SWC Division II Tournament.

North Haven earned a 4-0 victory over Watertown-Pomperaug in the SCC/SWC DII quarterfinals. North Haven went on to face Sheehan in the semifinals and prevailed 3-2 to advance to the championship game for the second year in a row. In the final, North Haven notched a 3-0 win against Cheshire to claim the conference crown.

North Haven was led by senior captains Will Fiore and Nick Howlett, along with senior alternate captains Eli Brubacher and Andrew Sacco. Sacco earned All-SCC Division II First Team honors for his performance as North Haven’s goalkeeper.

The North Haven girls’ basketball team put together its second-straight winning season with Head Coach Tom Blake this year. North Haven went 8-6 overall and earned a victory in the SCC Division II quarterfinals to make it to the semifinal round.

North Haven finished with a mark of 7-5 for the regular season. Coach Blake’s squad kicked off the playoffs to claiming a 57-26 win versus Foran in the quarterfinals of the SCC Tournament. North Haven went on to take a 48-39 defeat against West Haven in the SCC semifinals.

North Haven’s was led by senior captains Carly Fresher, Sarah Puzone, and Olivia Stefanik, along with fellow senior Emily Konopka. Puzone was selected to the All-SCC East Division Team for North Haven.

The Amity-North Haven-Cheshire girls’ ice hockey squad finished with a record of 4-2-1 for the winter season. The Blades saw their last few regular-season games get canceled as a result of a team quarantine that also prevented the squad from competing in the SCC Tournament. Senior Kelsey McCarthy represented the Blades as a North Haven student on the team.

The North Haven boys’ basketball team hit the court with new Head Coach Danny Oglesby this winter, finishing with an overall record of 1-12. Coach Oglesby’s club picked up a win when it defeated Cheshire 43-39 in its regular-season finale. North Haven went on to take a 56-21 loss to Career in the first round of the SCC Division II Tournament. JJ Mazzaro was the lone senior on North Haven’s roster.

The Greater New Haven (GNH) Warriors co-op boys’ swimming and diving team enjoyed a plethora of success while competing in virtual meets during the winter season. The Warriors, who featured athletes from East Haven, Guilford, North Branford, and North Haven, won a share of their division title and then recorded a second-place performance at the SCC Championship.

GNH posted a record of 8-2 in the regular season to earn a piece of the SCC Division I regular-season title. The Warriors went on to participate in the SCC Virtual Championship and came in second place at the meet.

North Haven sophomore Christian Butler took third place at the SCC Diving Championship on behalf of the Warriors. Guilford junior Finn Henry finished first in the 200 freestyle and placed second in the 100 freestyle for GNH at SCCs. East Haven sophomore Brendan Conners took first place in the 200 individual medley and finished second for the 100 backstroke. GNH’s 200 freestyle relay of Conners, East Haven junior Hethon Foster, Guilford sophomore Aiden Cohen, and Henry claimed second place at the SCC meet.

Martha Phelan finished her final season as head coach of the GNH Warriors swimming program. The team’s senior captains were Tanner Powell from North Haven, Guilford’s Dan Kamen, and Connor Coyne of North Branford.

Spring

Following the cancellation of the 2020 season, spring sports came back to play in Connecticut this year. Teams played full seasons, and state tournaments were completed for the first time since the fall of 2019.

The North Haven girls’ tennis team enjoyed a stellar season in which Head Coach Bob Migliorini’s squad made it to the semifinals of the Class L State Tournament. North Haven finished the year with an overall record of 12-9.

After going 9-7 during the regular season, North Haven competed in the SCC Division I Tournament and took a 6-1 defeat to Lauralton Hall in quarterfinal round. North Haven came back to win its first three matches in the state bracket, earning victories over Bristol Central (7-0), Woodstock Academy (7-0), and Guilford (4-3) to make it to the semis. North Haven went on to take a 4-3 loss against Avon in the state semifinals.

Seniors Megan Kell and Nadia Kavgaci served as North Haven’s captains while playing No. 1 doubles for the team. Junior Ally Vollero played No. 1 singles for North Haven and earned All-SCC Division I honors.

North Haven finished with an overall record of 13-10 in a season that saw Head Coach Bob DeMayo’s club make it to the quarterfinals of the Class L State Tournament. DeMayo finished his 63rd season as North Haven’s head coach.

North Haven posted a record of 10-8 during the regular season. In the SCC Tournament, Coach DeMayo’s team earned a 3-1 win versus No. 1 seed Hand in the quarterfinal round. Then in the semis, North Haven took a 7-1 defeat versus West Haven.

North Haven went on to win its first two games in the Class L State Tournament to reach the quarterfinals. North Haven earned a 19-2 win versus RHAM and then claimed a 10-4, nine-inning victory over Masuk to advance to the quarterfinals, where the team lost to Lyman Hall by a 7-5 score to finish at 13-10 overall.

Senior captain JJ Mazzaro made the All-SCC First Team for North Haven. Fellow senior captain Cole Zalegowski was an All-SCC Second Team honoree. Junior Owen Pincince garnered All-SCC First Team honors. Fellow juniors Mike Anquillare and Ryan Balzano both made the All-SCC Second Team. Coach DeMayo finished the 2021 season with 928 career victories.

The North Haven softball squad North Haven recorded 11 victories on its way to winning the SCC Housatonic Division title in 2021.

North Haven went into quarantine for two weeks early in the season. When North Haven returned to the field, the team played 16 games in 20 days and went 10-6 during that stretch, finishing the regular season at 11-7 overall with a record of 7-1 in divisional play to claim the Housatonic crown.

Following the regular season, North Haven took a 6-1 loss to Amity in the quarterfinals of the SCC Tournament and a 6-3 defeat against Bristol Eastern in the first round of the Class L State Tournament,

North Haven’s senior captains were Alex Ferriouolo, Olivia Olson, Sydney Maenza, and Jordan Maenza. Ferriouolo earned All-SCC First Team honors on behalf of Head Coach Karen Castagnola’s club. Olson was North Haven’s primary starting pitcher for the season. Juniors Caroline Toni and Jamie Swiatek made the All-SCC Second Team

The North Haven boys’ outdoor track team finished in fourth place at the SCC West Sectional Championship, came in 12th place at the SCC Championship, and then finished in 11th place at the Class MM State Championship this spring.

Senior Torray Armfield finished second in the long jump at the sectional meet and went on to compete in the event at the State Open. Senior Anthony Vigliotto placed second in the discus at sectionals and then took third place in SCCs. Sophomore Ethan Anderson finished second in the shot put at sectionals and ultimately advanced to the State Open. Junior Cole DeCusati competed in the discus at the Open.

The North Haven girls’ outdoor track squad took seventh place in the SCC West Sectional Championship, then finished in 20th place at the SCC Championship, followed by a 28th-place finish in the Class MM State Championship.

Freshman Erika Fronte finished second in the shot put for North Haven at sectionals. Junior Emily Cocco took second place in the discus at the meet.

The North Haven boys’ lacrosse team competed with new Head Coach Peter Greco on the sidelines during the 2021 season. North Haven finished with a record of 3-14, earning two victories versus Shelton (10-1 and 8-7) to go with one win against St. Paul (9-8). Senior Kasey Mongillo made the All-SCC First Team for North Haven.

The North Haven girls’ lacrosse team finished with a record of 1-14 for the 2021 season. North Haven picked up its victory when the team defeated Morgan by an 8-5 score.

North Haven was led senior captains Zaina Gebril, Mackenzie White, and Mariella Biceglia. Gebril earned All-SCC Division I Second Team honors on behalf of Head Coach Bernie Pellegrino’s squad.

The North Haven boys’ tennis team welcomed new Head Coach John Higgins to the fold this spring. North Haven finished the year with a record of 1-15, claiming a 4-3 victory versus Shelton in its season finale. North Haven was led by senior captains Joshua Park and Tanner Powell, who served as North Haven’s No. 1 doubles pairing.

The North Haven boys’ golf squad finished with a record of 5-6 on the season. Kevin St. Pierre guided North Haven on the links as the team’s head coach.

The North Haven girls’ rugby program continued competing as a club team with Head Coach Kristin Cataldo this year. North Haven earned its first wins in program history when the team swept a three-game series against Darien, prevailing by final scores of 22-20, 22-10, and 22-5 to win the overall matchup 66-35. Nicole Reynolds and Olivia Scoppetto led North Haven as the team’s senior captains.

Summer

There was plenty of success on ballfield for North Haven during the summer of 2021. The Max Sinoway baseball program saw three of its All-Star teams win District 4 titles, while its Babe Ruth squad claimed the state championship.

The Max Sinoway 10-U All-Stars baseball team won the District 4 title and then advanced to the championship game of the Section 1 Tournament this summer. Head Coach Joe Tarasuk’s club won all seven of its games in the District 4 Tournament, claiming the title with a 3-0 win over Milford in the final. North Haven went on to compete in the Section 1 Tournament and earned a 9-8 win versus Stamford in an elimination game before taking a 10-0 loss against Westport.

The Max Sinoway 11-U All-Stars squad lost its first three games in the District 4 tourney, but came back to rattle off four-straight victories to take the crown. Head Coach Gregg Pugliese’s team posted a 2-1 victory versus Milford in the championship game.

The Max Sinoway 12-U All-Stars team swept its way through the District 4 bracket, going 7-0 overall and taking the title with an 11-2 win versus Orange in the final. Head Coach Andre Huston’s squad then competed in the Section 1 Tournament, where North Haven earned a 1-0 win over Wilton before losing its next two contests, including a 7-1 defeat to Wilton in the championship.

The Max Sinoway 14-U Babe Ruth team won a state title and then advanced to the semifinals of the New England Regional this summer. In the state tourney, Head Coach Angelo Romano’s squad earned a 9-0 win over East Lyme, a 9-1 victory versus Stamford, and a 3-1 win against Trumbull to set up a rematch with Trumbull for the title. North Haven defeated Trumbull by a 12-7 score in the title bout to capture the state crown.

North Haven went on to compete in the New England Regional Tournament in New Hampshire. The team won three games in pool play to make it to the single-elimination bracket, where North Haven took a 15-7 loss against Keene, New Hampshire in a semifinal contest.

After the 2020 season was canceled, the North Haven Senior American Legion baseball team hit the field to compete this summer. North Haven finished with a record of 2-19 on the year, posting victories over West Haven (2-1) and Branford (10-0).

Fall

After no state competitions were held last fall, the 2021 fall season was played in full this year. Football teams also returned to the field to play a season for the first time in two years.

The North Haven girls’ volleyball team enjoyed a 20-win season that saw Head Coach Brianna Kleckner’s squad notch three victories in states to make it to the semifinal round.

North Haven posted a record of 16-4 during the regular season. Then in the SCC Tournament, North Haven earned a 3-0 win versus Lauralton Hall before taking a 3-1 loss to Mercy in the quarterfinals.

North Haven won its first three matches in the Class L State Tournament to advance to the semifinals. North Haven claimed wins against Bethel (3-0), Fitch (3-1), and E.O. Smith (3-2) to reach the state semis, where the team took a 3-0 loss against RHAM to finish at 20-6 overall.

North Haven was led by senior captains Hannah Auddino and Caroline Toni, along with fellow senior Lexy Signor. Auddino was named to the All-SCC First Team, while Toni was an All-SCC Second Team honoree. Kleckner was named the SCC Coach of the Year.

The North Haven girls’ swimming and diving team turned in an excellent performance at states by finishing second at the Class M State Championship this fall.

After going 6-5 in the regular season, North Haven competed at the SCC Championship and came in sixth place at the meet. North Haven went on to earn runner-up honors at the Class M State Championship and send several athletes to compete in the State Open, where the team finished in 33rd place.

North Haven’s senior captains were Grace Finch, Giulia Faulker and Taya Laborde. Senior El-Lana Coleman took third place for North Haven at the SCC Diving Championship. Junior Mikayla Rapuano came in third place in the 100 butterfly at the Class M State Championship.

The North Haven girls’ soccer team finished with a record of 9-10 and earned a pair of wins in the Class L State Tournament this year.

North Haven posted a regular-season record of 7-9, qualifying for states with a 9-0 win against Career-Hillhouse in its finale. North Haven then earned wins versus Bullard Havens (7-1) and Ledyard (3-1) in the opening rounds of the Class L bracket to advance to the quarterfinals, where the team took a 3-0 loss to Waterford.

Ada Forbes led the charge as North Haven’s senior captain this season. Goalkeepers Annalise Moulis and Sophia Chagnon were the two other seniors on the team. Forbes was an All-SCC First Team honoree on behalf of Head Coach Gary Collins’s club. Junior Lily Coish and freshman Hannah Bernardo made the All-SCC Second Team.

After seeing the 2020 campaign get canceled, the North Haven football team returned to the gridiron to play the 2021 season this fall. North Haven shook off a slow start to win five of its last six games of the year and finish with an overall record of 5-5. North Haven claimed its victories against Hamden (28-7), Stratford (21-0), Pomperaug (40-7), Hillhouse (27-12), and Amity (34-6).

Matt Dodge and MJ DeVilliers were the senior captains for Head Coach Anthony Sagnella’s squad this season. Dodge earned All-SCC Tier 1 honors as a defensive back. Senior Steve DiCristina made the All-SCC Tier 1 Team as an offensive lineman, while fellow senior Jake Langner garnered All-SCC Tier 1 accolades for his play at linebacker.

The North Haven field hockey squad posted a record of 4-9-2-1, remaining in contention for a playoff spot through the final week of its season.

North Haven was led by senior captains Noelle Carmody, Juliana DeAngelo, and Shea Saracino. Sophomore Catherine Bianchi garnered All-SCC Second Team accolades on behalf of Head Coach Kim Bouffard’s squad.

The North Haven boys’ soccer team welcomed new Head Coach John Parisella to the program this year. North Haven finished with an overall mark of 4-9-1 on the campaign. Senior Jack Pollard was an All-SCC Second Team honoree for North Haven.

The North Haven girls’ cross country team finished in second place at the SCC Oronoque Division Championship, 13th in the SCC Championship, and 14th at the Class MM State Championship.

Junior Payton Orosco came in second place for North Haven at the Oronoque Division meet. Freshmen Amalia Morizio and Daniella Rapuano finished in sixth and ninth place, respectively

The North Haven boys’ cross country squad took third place at the SCC Oronoque Division Championship this year, after which the team finished 13th at the SCC Championship and 14th in the Class MM State Championship. Sophomore Nico Boyle turned in North Haven’s top postseason performance with a 10th-place finish at the divisional meet.