North Haven field hockey Head Coach Kim Bouffard said that every athlete on her team is focused on achieving the same goals this season. The Indians have made it their mission to keep the program growing by constantly giving a top-notch effort as they face off against some of the top squads in the Southern Connecticut Conference. Of course, they’re also looking to put some victories in the books in the process.

“We’re working hard to get more wins every year. These are elite SCC teams we’re playing, and we want to be like these other teams. We’re watching them, learning, and doing our best,” Bouffard said. “The girls on the team are all-in for what we’re trying to achieve, which is to continue to improve in the SCC. They come out every day, they’re hungry, and they want to win games. That is what we’re striving for.”

While the Indians try to emulate some of the positive traits of their opponents, they’re also aiming to create their own identity as a program. That’s where hard work comes into play. Coach Bouffard said her athletes were working hard in the weeks leading up to the season and haven’t stopped since.

“I’m really happy with the girls’ work ethic. We had a good preseason. They’re working hard every day, and learning new things,” said Bouffard. “We have a young team, so it’s all about learning and getting better. I’m really excited about the passion and enthusiasm they have. You can’t teach that.”

Bouffard believes that a recent change of scenery will aid North Haven in its quest to establish its identity. This year, the Indians are playing their home games on the new turf field at North Haven Middle School, instead of on the grass field at North Haven Athletic Complex. Bouffard thinks that competing on a speedier surface will help the Indians get the ball rolling in more ways than one.

“It’s great. It definitely helps out the team playing on a turf field. Most teams we play in our league play on turf, so we’re able to practice on our own turf field and just keep improving and learning the turf game. It’s a faster game,” Bouffard said. “Playing on turf will make a huge difference down the road. We’re trying to make it a part of our offensive game. We have some really fast players who are able to get up and down the field, and so we’re trying to take advantage of that.”

North Haven’s young roster only features four seniors, all of which are captains, as well as returning starters. The Indians’ seniors are forwards Lindsey Rowland, Emily Casamento, and Jackie Howlett, along with defender Grace D’Amico. Rowland scored North Haven’s first goal of the season when the Indians took a 9-2 home loss against defending SCC and Class M state champion Hand in a home game on Sept. 11.

“They are all very vocal, intense, and passionate. They did a great job doing summer workouts and conditioning in the weight room with the school program. They all participated and had a good number of girls participating in it,” said Bouffard of her captains. “It’s a young team with only four seniors, but the four seniors all started last year, so that’s a positive.”

Junior Christina DeAngelo was also a starting forward last fall, but is now playing the midfielder’s position for the Indians. DeAngelo, who scored North Haven’s second goal in the Hand game, is joined in the midfield by junior Nadia Liuzzi and sophomore Jannat Butt, who are both first-year starters.

“Christina really has some excellent skills and will hopefully provide some offense for us this year,” Coach Bouffard said. “Our forwards and midfielders are starting to grow and blend together as new units. They work hard in practice and are continuing to learn each other’s moves on the field. Our passing and communication are better this year.”

On the defensive end of the field, North Haven is implementing a sweeper into its formation to serve as the last line of defense prior to the goalkeeper. D’Amico is taking on that responsibility for the Indians. She’s joined in the defensive corps by junior Colleen Lucey and fellow first-year starters Mariella Biceglia and Mackenzie White, who are sophomores.

“Grace has done a great job taking over the defense and leading us back there. She’s giving everybody direction and making sure they’re in the right position on the field. Our defenders are communicating well, and Grace is doing a fabulous job leading the way,” Bouffard said. “We just want our defenders to be aggressive and not worry about making mistakes. We’re at our best when we’re aggressive.”

The Indians have seen two athletes play the goalkeeper’s position thus far this season. Junior Sophia Aquaro and sophomore Eliza Sayed have each started one game for North Haven. Aquaro was the varsity starter last year, while Sayed started for the JV team. Coach Bouffard said that her goalies are pushing one another to perform to their potential, and she believes that type of competitive spirit can only benefit the Indians.

“We have two goalies in the mix, and they’ve been sharing the duties. They’re both working hard in practice, and we’re pushing for one of them to come out on top as the starter,” said Bouffard. “They’re both pushing each other to be better, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

From the Sidelines

The North Haven field hockey team’s varsity roster includes senior captains Emily Casamento, Grace D’Amico, Jackie Howlett, and Lindsey Rowland; juniors Sophia Aquaro, Mia D’Addio, Christina DeAngelo, Nadia Liuzzi, Colleen Lucey, Miranda Tessitore, and Julia Wentworth; sophomores Mariella Biceglia, Jannat Butt, Megan Kell, and Eliza Sayed; and freshman Juliana DeAngelo.

Kim Bouffard is in her fourth season as the Indians’ head coach. Bouffard welcomes new assistant coach Megan Augur to the program as North Haven’s JV head coach and varsity assistant.

North Haven will play two games against SCC opponents Sheehan, Lyman Hall, and Shelton this season. The Indians also have home games versus Hand, Branford, Amity, Guilford, and Lauralton Hall on their schedule, in addition to road games with fellow SCC schools Hamden, Cheshire, Mercy, and Sacred Heart Academy. Additionally, North Haven will face non-conference squad Bethel in a road game this year.