Sometimes in sports, you have to get knocked off a pedestal in order to fuel your climb back to the top and a chase for a championship. Such was the case for the Haddam-Killingworth field hockey team in the 2016 postseason.

Head Coach Patsy Kamercia’s squad finished with a record of 13-2-1 for the regular season, but was then upset by Valley Regional, 2-1, in the semifinals of the Shoreline Conference Tournament. However, HK promptly bounced back to defeat No. 14 seed Wamogo (9-1), No. 6 Immaculate (1-0), and No. 2 Stonington (3-0) in the Class S State Tournament to reach its second-straight state final. Then in the title game, the No. 3 seed Cougars played to a 1-1 tie with top-seeded, Shoreline Conference champion Westbrook to share the crown with the Knights, marking HK’s first state title since 2012. HK finished the year at 16-3-2 overall and Coach Kamercia felt that her team’s last loss provided a spark that led the Cougars to their state crown.

“Our goals were to defend our Shoreline title and make some noise in states. We didn’t get the first one with that loss to Valley, but because of that, we ended up exceeding our expectations in states by hoisting up a state-title plaque,” said Kamercia. “That loss was our motivator. We put in a new system to beef up our attack. We took some people off of the defensive end, but it worked well. We had that first win in states and the momentum carried us, along with their belief that they could do it. Their best game was against Stonington. They were phenomenal on both ends. It’s all about believing and that team chemistry that everyone needs everyone to win. They also believed in the sisterhood of the team.”

HK’s heart and determination were reflected in the team’s captains and the roads they took to return to the turf this fall. Senior Brinley Anderson missed the first six games with a concussion, while classmate Julia Kostek returned for the Cougars’ postseason run following an illness. Despite missing time, both athletes collected All-State honors with Anderson making the First Team and Kostek solidifying a spot on the Second Team.

“They were both phenomenal leaders and terrific players on and off the field,” said Coach Kamercia. “Brinley came back and then scored in six-straight games and then scored in each game of states. Julia was sick, but she was able to come back strong.”

Joining HK’s captains on the All-State ballot was senior defender Rachel Senechal as a First Team selection. Anderson, Kostek, and Senechal were All-Shoreline Conference First Team honorees this year, while juniors Bella Cosenza and Celia Payfa made the Second Team. Seniors Hannah Theriault and Alise Greco, sophomore Abbie Bagnoli, and freshman Molly Anderson were Honorable Mention.

The Cougars also produced a plethora of team postseason award honors. Kostek was named HK’s Most Valuable Player, Brinley Anderson was named Best Offensive Player with Senechal gaining that distinction on the defensive side, and senior Emily Pitruzzello was selected as the Unsung Hero recipient. Additionally, Grace Martone was the Most Improved Player as a junior varsity letter-winner in her first year playing field hockey, senior Valeda Kocsis was named Most Dedicated, Molly Anderson was the Rookie of the Year, Greco was the Cougar Award winner, Theriault took home the Most Versatile Award, and seniors Tina Miceli and Kaleigh Albert shared the Sportsmanship Award for HK.

There will once again be great expectations for Coach Kamercia and the Cougars in 2017 as several top offensive producers will return, along with some key pieces on a defensive front that produced a dozen shutouts in the recent season.

“I feel really good about next year. We have three of our top scorers coming back with one that will be a sophomore and the other two seniors, so it’s good to have those veteran scorers back,” said Kamercia. “Abbie will come back as a junior after posting 12 shutouts this year. Missy Thompson will be a senior on defense. With all of that, we will fill some other spots, but those two will help set up our defense next year.”

From the Sidelines

HK’s appearance in the state final marked its 10th in program history and the championship was its fourth. HK lost to Thomaston 2-1 in the 2015 Class S final, beat Stonington 2-0 to win the 2012 title, took a 3-0 loss to Granby Memorial in the 2010 final, took a 1-0 defeat in overtime against North Branford in 2006, and was co-champs with Lewis Mills following a 1-1 tie in 2005. Prior to that, the Cougars lost 1-0 to Canton in 1997, took a 1-0 defeat to Litchfield in 1996, beat Canton 1-0 for the Class S title in 1994, and dropped a 1-0 decision against Enfield in the Class M final in 1993.

For the season, HK scored 61 goals and allowed only 15 scores.

Patsy Kamercia started the Cougars’ field hockey program in 1975 and has been its head coach ever since. The assistant coaches on the HK staff this fall were Mary Ellen Cherry and Meagan Dobson.