Printer Friendly Version - North Branford’s Girls’ Soccer, Field Hockey Squads Qualify for States

Lexi Rosado netted a hat trick to lead the North Branford girls’ soccer team to a 4-1 victory over Coginchaug on Oct. 10. The Thunderbirds qualified for the Class M State Tournament with this victory. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

The North Branford girls’ soccer team took its first defeat of the season last week, but the T-Birds notched a victory later in the week to put their record at 5-1-4 this year. The Thunderbirds also qualified for the Class M State Tournament during last week’s action.

On Oct. 8, North Branford dropped a 2-0 decision versus Morgan. Senior goalie Allie Augur left the game with an injury, after which junior Gianna Sullo came in to play net for North Branford.

The T-Birds rebounded by posting a 4-1 victory versus Coginchaug in a home game on Oct. 10. Junior Lexi Rosado had a hat trick to lead North Branford to the win and solidify the team’s spot in states. Senior Ava Pavic had the assist on Rosado’s first goal, and sophomore Zoe Miller also scored a goal for the T-Birds. Sullo recorded 13 saves to preserve the victory.

“I think it’s nice that we’re at a point where getting into the tournament is just another day, where a couple years ago, it was a big accomplishment,” Head Coach Pat Kozloski said. “It speaks to where we are as a team and a program right now.”

The Thunderbirds were on the road to face Morgan last week. North Branford took a 7-0 loss against the Huskies and is now 0-10 on the year.

The T-Birds claimed victory in both of their contests last week to improve to 8-2-0-1 for the year and qualify for the Class S State Tournament. North Branford, which is the defending Class S state champion, earned shutout victories over Valley Regional and Haddam-Killingworth in last week’s action. The T-Birds have now posted shutouts in four of their past five contests.

North Branford hosted Valley Regional on Oct. 12 won a 1-0 contest. The next morning, the T-Birds visited Haddam-Killingworth and prevailed by a 5-1 score.

During the previous week’s action, North Branford beat Morgan by a 4-0 final on Oct. 1. Junior Ali Barrett scored two goals, while junior Melanie Norton and senior captain Amy Raucci also scored goals for North Branford. Junior Ava Galdenzi, Barrett, and Raucci each had an assist in the victory. Senior captain Kaylee Velez controlled the midfield alongside Norton and junior Alyssa Waligroski for the Thunderbirds, who saw senior captain Jordan Regan record the shutout in goal.

On Oct. 2, North Branford took a 3-2 loss against Old Saybrook. Raucci scored both goals for the T-Birds, while Barrett and Galdenzi both finished with an assist. Head Coach Babby Nuhn said that sophomore Kelli Jacobson and senior Cayleen Defaranos played well in the midfield and along the backline.

North Branford went on to earn a 3-0 shutout versus Morgan to close out the week. Galenzdi finished with a goal and an assist, Raucci and Norton both scored a goal, and Barrett contributed an assist. Regan posted the shutout in net for the Thunderbirds.

North Branford had a bye week for Week 6 play. With their record of 2-3, the T-Birds will take the field when they face Valley Regional-Old Lyme (4-0) for a road game on Friday, Oct. 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Valley Regional High School in Deep River.

Alyssa Waligroski and the T-Birds are on their way to states after picking up wins versus Valley Regional and Haddam-Killingworth in last week’s matchups. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound