The string of dominance just keeps rolling on for the North Branford field hockey program, as the Thunderbirds stormed their way to yet another conference crown.

Following claiming the Shoreline Conference and Class S State Tournament titles for the 2022 campaign, North Branford polished off an unblemished 16-0 regular-season record in 2023. In the Shoreline Conference Tournament as the top seed, the T-Birds first dispatched No. 4 Westbrook-Old Lyme 6-0 in the semifinal round on Oct. 30, and met second-seeded Old Saybrook in a rematch of last year’s title tilt. Yet the script did not change this time around, with North Branford edging out the Rams 2-1 in the championship game on Nov. 2 at Indian River Complex in Clinton.

“Every year, we start with a whole new group of players, all very enthusiastic to do well and keep the traditions going strong,” said Head Coach Babby Nuhn. “We all know that winning is a choice; it does not come easy. Our team came into the season very determined to work hard and stay focused on their goals. We have 16 new freshmen who added another dimension to our team. The Old Saybrook Rams truly came to play in the title game. I give them a lot of credit with their new strategies and skills. It was a hard-fought battle. Once we settled down, we started to play our own game with more confidence.”

The victory marked North Branford’s seventh-consecutive conference championship, and the team ran its undefeated campaign to 18-0, posting 10 shutouts in the regular season while allowing only nine total tallies. Additionally, in the last two seasons combined, which includes a 15-1 regular season mark a year ago, the Thunderbirds have only dropped one contest.

“Our goal has been to prepare each day and maintain a sense of harmony among all players,” said Nuhn. “It is imperative that a team supports each other in a selfless manner. We have worked on team chemistry throughout the season. Our team motto is, ‘Together We Will.’”

Nuhn was also honored as the co-Shoreline Conference Coach of the Year with Old Saybrook counterpart Nancy Gatta, while senior captain Keana Criscuolo was named co-Player of the Year with the Rams’ Amelia Sigersmith. Criscuolo is not so much concerned with solo accolades, but rather relishing in another conference crown and honing in on a potential states three-peat.

“It is really meaningful to be able to secure another Shoreline Championship,” said Criscuolo. “It would be our seventh year in a row. The team played really hard against a tough team, especially with the many challenges we had to overcome during the game, like injuries and penalties. Going into states, we are really focused on working together and playing our game! We really want it this year in winning the championship three years in a row, and for the seniors to leave such a remarkable legacy behind for North Branford Field Hockey!”

Representing North Branford for All-Shoreline First Team were seniors in captain Sophia Toto and Criscuolo, captain Lindsey Onofrio, and Gianna Gamble. Juniors Alivia Schmidt and Lily Ardito, plus seniors Tea Ferrucci and Morgan Lucibello garnered Second Team recognition. Senior Gabi Senerchia was an Honorable Mention as well.

“I always believe the season is a strong reflection of the senior class. It is imperative to have all seniors work together and believe in each other,” said Nuhn. “We all have various strengths to bring to the season, and it is our job as coaches to develop the confidence and inner strength of each senior to give it their all without any regrets. Our seven seniors have been an integral part of the success over their last four years. In their freshmen year, we all savored every minute to be able to play during COVID. Since our numbers have been quite low the last three years, these seven seniors were called to step up in varsity/starting roles. They grew up very quickly to understand what it takes to be a stronger player and teammate.”

For the contest, following a scoreless first quarter, Kendall Dobratz scored at the 11:03 mark to put Old Saybrook (14-3-1 record) up 1-0 after a crucial first tally. Ferrucci responded less than three minutes later at 8:49 before halftime with the equalizer.

“Winning Shorelines this year is a huge accomplishment,” said Onofrio. “There was a lot of hard work and dedication that went into this year, and our success is a true reflection of that. Going into states, we are focused on continuing to compete with our opponents and working together to continue our season.”

Toto, following a feed from Criscuolo, later put North Branford ahead with 66 ticks left in the third quarter–a lead the T-Birds would not relinquish. North Branford was outshot 12-10 for the night, yet sophomore Ashlyn O’Rourke made 11 saves in net, as the T-Birds began to set their sights on states with another league trophy in hand.

“Winning Shorelines means a lot to our team. It was a tough game against Old Saybrook, and we were able to pull through and work together. With a lot of us seniors on the team, it makes it so much more special to know we are going out our last year all together doing the best we can,” said Gamble. “Our mindset is to focus on playing our game, one game at a time. We know how challenging the state tournament is, and we are ready to leave it all on the field to go as far as we can.”

In the first round at home of the Class S State Tournament on Nov. 7 hosting 17th-seeded New Fairfield, top-ranked North Branford prevailed by a 2-0 final. At home against No. 9 Lauralton Hall in the quarterfinals on Nov. 9, the T-Birds edged out the Crusaders 5-4.

North Branford now sits two wins from a third-straight Class S state crown. The T-Birds now battle No. 5 Immaculate in a semifinal on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Trumbull High School. The winner faces either No. 2 Canton or No. 6 Stonington in the final on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Wethersfield.

“It is imperative to stay focused each day. It has to be one game at a time,” said Nuhn. “Of course every team in the CIAC tournament wants to raise the gold in the final game, but you need to put in the work in the meantime. As Theodore Roosevelt said, ‘Nothing worth having comes easy.’ We need to put in the effort and sacrifices along the way to truly feel we have earned it.”

The 2023 North Branford field hockey roster is comprised of seniors in Toto, Criscuolo, Onofrio, Gamble, Ferrucci, Lucibello, Senerchia; juniors of Schmidt, Ardito, Samantha Ferraro, Joanna Lamot, Daytona Kamienski, Riley Cole; sopohmores Isabella Warren, Leah Brustman, Madison DiStefano, O'Rourke; plus freshmen Mallory Harper, Juliana Stimpson, Autumn LeBeau, Mia Harper, Laila Delfino, Siena Podzikowski, Katheryn Zulawski, Taylor Dalip, Ava Angiollo, Eliza Pinette, Aubrey Weld, Alia Martone, Iris Troqe, Valentina Spinelli, Peyton Cameron, and Gabriela Famiglietti.

Assisting Nuhn this year are coaches Kathy Galdenzi, Sabrina LeMere, Cheryl Canada, Evaun Boatman, and Lori Connelly.

2023 North Branford Field Hockey Team Regular Season Results

Sept. 12: North Branford 1, Haddam-Killingworth 0

Sept. 15: North Branford 6, North Branford 0

Sept. 19: North Branford 9, Morgan 0

Sept. 21: North Branford 3, Valley Regional 0

Sept. 26: North Branford 6, Amity 1

Sept. 28: North Branford 1, Westbrook 0 (overtime)

Oct. 2: North Branford 2, East Lyme 1

Oct. 3: North Branford 5, Haddam-Killingworth 0

Oct. 5: North Branford 4, Old Saybrook 1

Oct. 7: North Branford 6, Stonington 3

Oct. 10: North Branford 7, Morgan 0

Oct. 11: North Branford 1, Sacred Heart Academy 0

Oct. 13: North Branford 3, Valley Regional 0

Oct. 16: North Branford 5, Watertown 0

Oct. 19: North Branford 6, Westbrook 1

Oct. 24: North Branford 3, Branford 2 (overtime)