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07/05/2018 12:00 AMDanielle Ramada is leaving North Branford High School with plenty of hardware after playing a major role for the Thunderbirds’ field hockey, girls’ basketball, and softball squads throughout the past few years. Danielle, a recent graduate, played for two field hockey teams that won Shoreline Conference championships, in addition to helping the T-Birds win a Class S state title last fall. This spring, Danielle and the North Branford softball team claimed the Shoreline Conference crown for the fourth year in a row.
Danielle says that being part of that first Shoreline title team in her freshman field hockey season showed her what it takes for a club to have a championship campaign.
“When I was a freshman, I saw the desire that the seniors had, and it made me focus to see what I could do. It just showed me that you have to work hard in the offseason and feed off of everyone’s energy to get better every season,” Danielle says. “You work as a team, build that chemistry and, for me, it ended up working out.”
Danielle also played in the Class M state final with the T-Birds’ softball squad as a junior. Head Coach Nick DeLizio describes Danielle as “the Yogi Berra of North Branford,” because she’s been part of so many championships, just like the Hall of Fame catcher.
“To win six Shoreline Conference titles between three sports is very difficult to do. The younger girls are drawn to her competitiveness. She wants to win, and you can tell that by the success she had throughout her entire career,” DeLizio says of Danielle. “She has quite the career résumé. Most athletes go through high school only winning maybe one conference title if you’re lucky enough. She has four with us and two with field hockey.”
Danielle says it was special to win each one of her six Shoreline Conference titles. However, she feels that contributing to the field hockey team’s undefeated, state-championship season in her senior year really takes the cake. North Branford rallied for a 2-1 victory versus Granby Memorial to capture the Class S title last fall.
“It was incredible. We were down at one point, but there was such a good feeling. We never thought we were going to lose. We just refused to believe we would lose,” says Danielle. “Our fans were incredible, the environment was amazing, and we fed off the energy and were determined to win. We worked so hard and everything was right. Everything was perfect, and we ended up winning, which I’m really happy about.”
Danielle helped each one of her teams have great seasons in her senior year. North Branford’s field hockey squad went 21-0-1, the girls’ basketball team posted a record of 14-9, and the softball team ended its season with a mark of 26-1. All totaled, Danielle’s teams finished with a combined record of 61-10-1.
“It’s definitely amazing, and it comes from the team bond we created. Everyone just knew what it took to be successful, and we implemented it during practice. I believe that’s how we got where we were,” she says. “It really is amazing to have such a successful senior year. It’s nice to leave on that note, and it definitely comes from the team and coaching staff.”
Danielle played sweeper for the field hockey team and earned All-Shoreline Second Team recognition as a junior. In her senior season, Danielle made the All-Shoreline First Team, along with solidifying a spot on the All-State Team for North Branford.
“I’m very defensive. I’ve never played forward, and my mindset is defensive, I guess,” says Danielle. “We had a first-year goalie in Jordan Regan. She trusted me, and I had trust in her, so we created a bond that made my role easier. We knew what it would take and locked down.”
Danielle was a forward with the basketball team and played first base for softball. She was an All-Shoreline Honorable Mention selection this spring after batting .319 with 22 hits, 21 runs scored, and 24 RBI.
Danielle also served as a captain for all three of her teams as a senior and loved being in a role where she could motivate her fellow Thunderbirds. On top of that, Danielle had the pleasure of playing alongside her younger sister Angelina on each team and says the experience brought the two of them even closer together.
“Everything we got through definitely allowed us to come together on the field. Knowing I’m her sister, I have her back, and I know that she has a weight lifted off her, because I’m back there,” Danielle says. “She’s a really good athlete, and I’m proud of everything we accomplished together.”
While she loves playing all of her sports, Danielle has decided that field hockey is the one she’s going to stick with in college. Next year, Danielle will play field hockey at the Division II level for the University of New Haven.
“I always liked the school and I reached out to the coach last summer,” says Danielle. “[North Branford field hockey Head Coach Baby Nuhn] definitely helped a lot, and I’m so grateful for her. I’m happy she talked with the coach. I’m super excited to play.”