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11/16/2016 11:00 PMBrianna Ferriola tried many different sports as a youngster in North Haven, including soccer, taekwondo, cheerleading, and softball. While she enjoyed being active, Brianna found that none of these sports really clicked with her. Then in her freshman year at the high school, Brianna’s mom suggested that she join the Indians’ field hockey team.
“There wasn’t a youth program for it, so when I got to high school, it was a new experience. Once I tried it, I really liked it,” says Brianna, who is now a junior. “It’s a very good sport to show good teamwork and you have to work the ball from defense to middie to forward all the way up the field.”
Brianna is a defender and enjoys trying to stop her opponents. Even though North Haven only won three games this year, Head Coach Kim Bouffard saw Brianna continue to work hard throughout the season.
“Bri gave it her all every game,” says Bouffard. “She brings hustle, leads by example, gives 150 percent, is a hard worker, competitive and positive, and does whatever is asked of her.”
One of Brianna’s favorite things about playing field hockey is developing bonds with her teammates. Brianna works closely with them at practice and appreciates how this year’s captains led the team. Brianna remembers how welcomed she felt by everyone when she entered the program.
“You become really close with the people on your team and everyone’s personalities bonded together, so you knew what to say to someone to boost them up, build their confidence on the field, and not get down on each other,” says Brianna. “When I was a freshman, the sophomores were like coaches to me because they’d just learned the game the year before. We went through the program together.”
Bouffard became the Indians’ head coach for Brianna’s sophomore season and Brianna says she’s been a big influence on the squad. Brianna also thanks her teammates and her mother for their support.
“Coach Kim always has something good to say and wants us to do our best,” says Brianna. “My mom is always at every game no matter where it was—even if it was raining—and is always screaming from the sidelines. She’s very supportive.”
Brianna decided to give lacrosse a try when she was in middle school and that sport clicked for her. She joined the team when she arrived at the high school and, by her sophomore year, Brianna was cross-rostered on North Haven’s JV and varsity teams. Brianna, who used to play attack before moving to the midfield, is hoping to play for the Indians’ varsity squad exclusively next spring. Brianna participates in camps for both field hockey and lacrosse during the offseason.
“I was an underclassmen, so when I got into a varsity game, I had to show why I wanted to be on varsity and it gave me a chance to step up,” says Brianna. “I was definitely nervous because I didn’t want to make a mistake, but I was excited to show what I was made of.”
Outside of sports, Brianna works hard in school and will be inducted into the National Honor Society this year. She’s also a member of the Italian Club and volunteers at the Benhaven School, which provides educational services and support to children and adolescents with autism, intellectual disabilities, or related disabilities.
“Years ago, when my grandma was sick, I enjoyed being able to help her,” says Brianna. “I like volunteering at Benhaven and helping tutor them. They are happy and look forward to seeing the same person every week.”
In terms of college, Brianna would like to go into the medical field, so she can continue helping people. She says that she’d also like to keep playing sports at the collegiate level.
“Playing sports is a great way to make friends that way and it’s good to be active and a part of something,” says Brianna. “If you’re having a bad day, you could take it out on the field, focus it all on playing, and doing your best.”
Brianna still has a few seasons left with the Indians before she heads off to college. She’s looking forward to her senior campaign with the field hockey team and two more years on the lacrosse field.
“Even though the [seniors graduating from the field hockey team] were a big influence because they were such role models, hopefully next year, we can come together more and focus more on winning more games,” says Brianna. “For lacrosse, I want to practice more and put more time in to get more varsity time. I’m definitely going to try to make a difference on the field. Even though we lost a couple good seniors, we have potential for people to fill in those places. We definitely have the skills to succeed this year.”