Coming off of its third-straight Shoreline Conference title, the North Branford girls’ lacrosse team is looking to use that postseason experience to make it four in a row this year. However, more so than just experience, Head Coach Lori Connelly believes that the T-Birds’ ability to play together as a collective unit is what will truly determine how much success North Branford sees in 2022.

“The kids were all really motivated, enthusiastic, and excited for the season. They do what’s asked of them. They come out ready to go and work hard,” Connelly said. “A lot of them worked hard during the offseason to get themselves where they need to be. That was promising, too.”

The Thunderbirds opened their season by posting an 18-11 road win against Branford on April 2. In last week’s action, North Branford took a 14-12 defeat to Old Saybrook in a road game on April 5 and then came back to get a 21-11 victory at Cromwell two days later to improve to 2-1 on the year.

Sophomore Keana Criscuolo scored 5 goals for North Branford when it faced Old Saybrook in a rematch of last year’s Shoreline Conference final. Senior captain Braeden LeBeau had 2 goals and 5 assists in the contest. Senior captain Olivia Toto had 3 goals with an assist, and fellow senior captain Marissa Raffone scored a goal to go with an assist. Sophomore Sophia Toto added a goal for the T-Birds. Junior Ava Candelora made 5 saves in net.

Despite the two-goal loss, Coach Connelly said there were several positive takeaways from her team’s matchup with Old Saybrook. Connelly said that the T-Birds have watched the video of their performance and saw the type of things that they need to work on going forward.

“I was very happy with our team’s performance at Old Saybrook. There are such things as a good loss. We dominated the second half. Their goalie just came up with some key saves,” said Connelly. “We saw where our breakdowns were, and we’re ready to tackle those. If anything, it showed us that we are in a good place. If we can just work out a few kinks, we’re going to keep building.”

For its game against Cromwell, the T-Birds installed a brand-new defense that they had only started working on two days prior. Coach Connelly said the Cromwell game provided North Branford with an opportunity to give numerous different players a chance to see the varsity field.

Criscuolo and Olivia Toto netted 5 goals apiece in North Branford’s 21-11 win over the Panthers. LeBeau scored 3 goals and handed out 10 assists in the victory. Raffone had 2 goals and an assist, while junior Mea Riordan also found the back of the net twice. Senior Mia Oliveiro and freshman Riley Cole both scored 1 goal.

North Branford’s senior captains for the 2022 season are Olivia Toto, LeBeau, Raffone, and Saoirse Burke. Toto, LeBeau, and Raffone were all varsity starters last season, while Burke was sidelined with an injury. LeBeau made the All-Shoreline Conference First Team, and Raffone was an All-Shoreline Conference Second Team selection.

Coach Connelly said that while Toto, LeBeau, and Raffone led the effort on the field last year, Burke was always supporting her teammates from the sidelines and at practice. Overall, Connelly feels that all four captains are great role models for the younger players to look up to.

“They all bring something a little different to the program, but they all lead by example. They’re the first ones at practice and the last ones to leave. They’ll stay after and help everybody. The girls look up to them,” Connelly said. “They’re really good role models for the other girls both on and off the field. They love this sport.”

On the offensive end of the field, North Branford returns the bulk of its unit from last season. Olivia Toto, Raffone, LeBeau, and Criscuolo are the leaders for the T-Birds’ attack. Coach Connelly said the team is looking for them to help the Thunderbirds stay consistent and impactful on offense. Joining those players is senior Grace Marra, a returning starter from last year’s team.

North Branford’s attack also includes as Sophia Toto, Park, and Riordan. Connelly is expecting all three players to step up into bigger roles this season.

The T-Birds graduated several key players on defense from last year. Junior Ashley Manning, who earned All-Shoreline Conference Second Team honors, is the only returning starter for North Branford. Coach Connelly is counting on Manning and senior Samantha Helwig to be the leaders for the Thunderbirds’ defense.

Behind them, Connelly has been working on a rotation as she tries to find the best fit. Players such as Burke, Oliverio, junior Gianna Palma, and sophomores Mikella O’Brien, Morgan Lucibello, and Gianna Gamble will all be given opportunities. Connelly is expecting North Branford’s defense to rotate throughout the season and views the T-Birds’ versatility in that area as a strength.

“We’re shifting a couple things around and trying different defenses—zone, man-to-man, high-pressure defense. It all depends on what we’re running and who is out there,” said Connelly. “We have a lot of versatility in our defense this year. All of those players have seen a lot of varsity time. I imagine that will continue for the rest of the season.”

At goalkeeper’s position, North Branford features pair of players who are in their first year on the varsity roster. One of those athletes is Candelora, who is also a goalie on the North Branford girls’ soccer team. The T-Birds recruited Candelora to play lacrosse, and Coach Connelly said that she’s shown great instincts thus far. North Branford’s other goalie is junior Victoria McDermott, who was the starter for the JV team last season. Connelly has been impressed with both goalies in the early going and plans to rotate between the two of them for the time being.

As her team goes through the spring season, Coach Connelly is looking for the Thunderbirds to continue focusing on playing together as a team, rather than just as individuals. In order for North Branford continue its string of sensational campaigns, Connelly knows that it will be important for everyone to play for team successes, instead of personal achievements.

“We pride ourselves on being team first. We don’t care about individual stats or individual goals. We’d rather them play as a team,” Connelly said. “They just pick each other up. They’re so positive with each other. When they’re having fun and working together, the rest just falls into place. When they care more about each other’s success, rather than their own, it’s easy for the team to succeed.”