The 2017 season was a fantastic one for the North Branford girls’ soccer team as the T-Birds won the Shoreline Conference Tournament title and then hosted two home games in the Class M State Tournament on their way to finishing with a record of 15-4-1. Head Coach Pat Kozloski’s squad returned 10 starters from last year’s team that had reached the Shoreline final, and so the expectations were high coming into this season.

“We knew we had some veteran players with some experience, so the goal from day one,, whether it was said or unsaid was to win the Shoreline Tournament and do well in states. To do well in states, the girls quantified that as winning at least one game because that was better than the previous year,” said Kozloski, whose club defeated Seymour in the first round of states before losing to Morgan. “We got off to a hot start, won a big game at Morgan in the third game of the season, and, from there, that allowed us to be in the driver’s seat.”

The Thunderbirds played a spectacular game when they defeated Old Lyme in the championship game of the Shoreline Conference Tournament. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, North Branford powered through by netting a pair of goals in the second half to notch a 2-1 win against the four-time defending champion Wildcats. The T-Birds had previously defeated Morgan in the Shoreline semifinals.

“They are, were, and still continue to be the class of our league. Not to speak for other teams, but I would imagine everyone else is striving for what they’re doing. They go about their business and are pretty professional about it,” Kozloski said of Old Lyme. “Not only to beat them, but to play with them, we knew if we play the way we’re capable of, we’d be fine. We rose even higher, and it was just an awesome game. It was a testament or culmination of what we’ve seen from them over the past few years.”

North Branford was led by a star-studded group on defense this season. Senior captains Morgan Violette and Sarah Criscuolo, junior Jessie Kilburn, and fellow junior Caitlin May lined up as the back four in front of goalie Allie Augur, and they combined to allow just nine goals for the entire season.

“We didn’t let up a whole heck of a lot. We wanted to score a goal per game, and we only got shut out against Old Lyme in the regular season. In every other game, we scored. That was huge because, we knew if we could put one up, our defense could get a tie or we’d win outright, so that was super important,” Kozloski said. “We know that is our strength. We make it very difficult for 80 minutes for the opposing team to do anything. We really make the other team earn a shot on net, a cross, and, ultimately, a goal.”

Augur, a junior, collected several prized distinctions for her exceptional play in net throughout the year. Not only was she named to the All-Shoreline Conference First Team, but Augur also went All-State, All-Region, and All-American this fall.

“In Connecticut, there are probably only five or six selected [for All-American],” Kozloski said. “There may be 50 to 100 nationwide, but in Connecticut alone there is a small, select group.”

Sophomore Lexi Rosado was All-Shoreline First Team selection for North Branford this year. Junior Ana Pavic and Kilburn made the Second Team, while senior captain Jenna Bryden and Caitlin May earned Honorable Mention. Rosado scored the tying goal on a penalty kick in the Shoreline final, and then Bryden score the go-ahead goal for North Branford. Additionally, Coach Kozlosk presented a Contributor of the Year Award to Lynn Riordan of Matt’s Mission for her generous donation of the team’s uniforms.

In the end, Kozloski was pleased to see the continued growth of his program during the recent season.

“It’s a long season regardless if you’re winning or losing. Winning kept the girls coming back,” he said. “Now that I’ve had two senior classes that I’ve worked with for four years, it’s nice to be able to know the kids for all four years, get to know their families. From that perspective, these girls won three games their freshman year. It’s rewarding to see their genuine smiles to go from winning three games to 15. That’s pretty awesome to watch.”

Looking ahead to next year, North Branford will have Augur back in goal and is also returning a few starters who made the All-Conference Team this year.

“We started six seniors. I’m sure there will be some growing pains, but there were some girls on that bench that were vying for time and their chomping at the bit, ready to go,” he said. “I think it’ll be difficult to replicate this season, but that’ll be the goal. We’re going to lose some experience and grit of the senior class, but there are girls on the bench that are ready to play.”

From the Sidelines

The senior captains for the 2017 North Branford girls’ soccer team were Jenna Bryden, Sarah Criscuolo, and Morgan Violette. The rest of the Thunderbirds’ roster consisted of seniors Hannah DiEdwards, MacKenzie MacGowan, Amanda Bouffard, and Madison Sullivan; juniors Allie Augur, Olivia Rodriguez, Caitlin May, Ana Pavic, Aaliyah Aaron, and Jessie Kilburn; sophomores Gabriella Sarmento, Lexi Rosado, Britney Gildersleeve, Gianna Sullo, and Madeline Criscuolo; and freshmen Julia Casella, Landon Melillo, Olivia Ferreira, Ashley Amendola, Zoe Miller, Mallory Preiss, Adriana Cacopardo, Katie Dow, Charlotte Villano, Gabriella Pesticci, and Alessia Valentino. Head Coach Pat Kozloski was assisted by Dewey Boatman and Sarah McDonald.