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05/08/2016 12:00 AMBaseball
North Branford improved to 7-5 this season with a 7-1 win over Old Saybrook on May 2. Now on a three-game winning streak, North Branford is a win away from a trip back to the State Tournament.
Against Old Saybrook, Mike Hoyt improved to 5-1 on the mound as he tossed a complete game, allowing four hits. Offensively, Hoyt helped his own cause with two hits, plus Matt Chamberlain also recorded a pair of hits.
Boys’ Lacrosse
The Thunderbirds took their second loss of the season to Valley Regional last week, but then bounced back with a pair of wins to improve to 10-2.
On May 3, Valley topped North Branford 12-8. North Branford dominated possession thanks to Nico Sommo, who won 18 of 21 face-off attempts as North Branford won the shots battle 29-27. Brian McKee and Connor Odell both scored twice, while Jack Myers, Sommo, Mike Pantera, and Nik Allain all added goals. Adam Burkle had four assists and Noah Taylor made five saves.
On May 5, North Branford topped Haddam-Killingworth 15-7. Burkle had four goals and five assists and Nik Allain also scored four goals. Odell scored three times, McKee twice, as Myers and Sommo both scored once. Taylor recorded eight saves to earn the victory.
On May 7, North Branford defeated West Haven 22-6 in a great offensive display. Burkle had 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) and McKee had 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists). Odell finished with seven goals, while Pantera scored four and Allain added two. Sommo won 21 of 27 face-offs and Taylor made three saves.
Girls’ Lacrosse
Following a hot start to the season, North Branford is on a four-game losing streak and currently sits at 5-5.
On May 5, Haddam-Killingworth defeated North Branford 18-1 despite the T-Birds winning the shot battle 32-24. Emmy Norton had four goals, plus Emilie Wilkinson and Sydney Hogan both scored three times. Jessie Kilburn added two goals and Stephanie Seymour and Tara Lauro both scored once. Hogan recorded five assists and Katie Sobask made six saves.
Boys’ Tennis
The Thunderbirds are not fielding a full team this season and were defeated by Westbrook 7-0 on May 2, largely due to forfeits. North Branford has taken six defeats on the season.
Girls’ Tennis
North Branford has dropped five-consecutive matches and is 2-11 after a 5-2 loss to Westbrook on May 2.
The two wins for the T-Birds came at No. 3 and 4 singles as Gabby Augur won 6-1, 6-0 and Zelda Galdenzi won 6-0, 6-0. In other singles matches, Nicole Messore lost 6-0, 6-0 and Laren Ablondi lost 6-0, 6-1. In doubles action, Erin Stiegler and Jordan Frano lost 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; Sydney Constantinia and Alyssa Diaz were defeated 6-3, 6-2; and Frankie Palma and Kaylen Grandro lost 6-1, 6-4.
Golf
North Branford remains winless this season after taking three defeats last week. The Thunderbirds dropped to 0-6 as they were defeated by Hale-Ray, Haddam-Killingworth, and Cromwell.
On May 2, North Branford lost to Hale-Ray 181-195 and followed that with a 175-184 defeat against HK on May 3. In that loss, Kyle Ricci shot a 41, John Lovelace a 47, Paul Zumbo a 47, and Ryan Meehan a 49.
On May 4, in a 172-192 loss to Cromwell, Lovelace and Jake Neubig both shot 46s, while Ricci and Zumbo each shot 50s.
Boys’ Outdoor Track
On April 27, North Branford faced Valley Regional and Westbrook at Valley and lost to both opponents. Valley was victorious 97-53 and Westbrook topped the T-Birds 83-56. North Branford had great showings in plenty of events. Taking first place against both schools were Jacob Marshall in the 200 (24.1), Jason Alaska in the 100 (11.6), Frank Laudano in the pole vault (11-0), and Austin Gibilisco in the 800 (2:18.7). North Branford also saw victories in the 4x800 relay as Richard Hernandez, Gibilisco, Michael Madoule, and Jared Jamieson won at 9:30.5; as well as the 4x400 relay as Madoule, Gibilisco, Michael Odell, and Michael Rabuffo prevailed in 3:54.4. Also putting forth good showings were Hernandez in the 1,600 (5:17.8) and 3,200 (11:36.4); Marshall in the pole vault (8-6); Madoule in the 400 (54.7); Rabuffo in the 400 (56.0); and Sydney Franklin in the high jump (5-2), triple jump (32-8.5), and long jump (15-9.75).
On May 4, North Branford took on Cromwell and Morgan and scored 45 points, while Morgan scored 77 and Cromwell had 59. Top performances came from Rabuffo, who won the high jump with a personal record of 5-foot-8, which qualified him for states, along with Madoule, who won the 400 at 55.83. The 4x400 relay of Gibilisco, Madoule, Rabuffo, and Alaska also placed first at 3:54.7. Other quality performances came from Alaska in the 100 (11.57); Marshall in the 200 (24.26), 100 (11.67), and pole vault (8-6); Hernandez in the 3,200 (11:23.14) and 1,600 (5:27.3); Franklin in the triple jump (32-4), high jump (5-4), long jump (16-4), and 100 (12.39); Gibilisco in the 400 (57.09); Rabuffo in the 400 (57.17); Laudano in the 200 (25.68); Jared Jamieson in the 3,200 (11:35.29); Alaska in the javelin (85-6); and Zach Jamieson in the 800 (2:38.9). In the 4x100 relay, Alaska, Marshall, Laudano, and Odell had a great showing at 46.17.
On May 7, the T-Birds competed at the Marty Roberts Invitational at Coginchaug. Top performers included the 4x400 relay of Madoule, Rabuffo, Alaska, and Gibilisco, who placed fourth at 3:45.78, and the 4x800 relay of Jared Jamieson, Zach Jamieson, Parker Nadeau, and Hernandez that finished in seventh at 9:36.92. Top individual finishers were Madoule in the 400 (54.78); Hernandez in the 3,200 (11:01.84); Alaska in the 100 (12.09); Marshall in the 200 (24.63); Rabuffo in the 400 (55.69); Franklin in the triple jump (35-10); Laudano in the pole vault (9-6); Gibilisco in the 800 (2:14.96); Nadeau in the 3,200 (11:24.24); and Jared Jamieson in the ,3200 (11:29.02). The marks set by Franklin, Nadeau, and Jared Jamieson were all personal bests.