Printer Friendly Version - H-K Boys’ Lax Downs North Branford for Shoreline Crown Three-Peat

The H-K boys’ lacrosse team celebrates its third-straight Shoreline Conference Tournament crown after defeating North Branford 7-4 in the league championship game on May 25 at the Indian River Complex in Clinton. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

Seniors Nolan Braren (20), Alex Phipps (6), and sophomore Gunnar Howes (3), and the H-K boys’ lacrosse team bested North Branford 7-4 in the Shoreline Conference Tournament final on May 25 at the Indian River Complex in Clinton. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

Three proved to be a very magic number for the Haddam-Killingworth boys’ lacrosse team, as the Cougars finally took down a rival in their third meeting of 2023 while securing a three-peat as Shoreline Conference champions in the process.

Following an impressive 14-2 regular season, the top-seeded Cougars earned a slot in the Shoreline Conference Tournament finals and met No. 3 North Branford on

May 25. H-K stared across the field at Indian River Complex in Clinton at a T-Birds’ squad that served as the two lone blemishes on the Cougars’ record following a pair of one-goal games in the regular season.

Yet H-K continued the old adage that it is tough to beat a team three times in one year, as the Cougars prevailed 7-4 to give the program its third consecutive Shoreline Conference crown.

“To win Shorelines three years in a row is really impressive, especially for the seniors who lost their freshman year due to COVID,” said Head Coach Fred Federico. “It speaks to the hard work the team put in. They set out to do this at the start of the year, and they knew they had potential to do it.”

Freshmen Spencer Savoy and Finn O’Hanlon each had two goals in the victory, while seniors Alex Phipps, Nolan Braren, and Aaron McLeod all scored a tally apiece. As he additionally credited the league runner-up on its ability, Federico noted that both teams had contrasting schemes, but all the pieces fell into place in H-K’s favor as the clash waned on.

“North Branford is a well-coached team, and we had extra motivation to beat them after the two regular season games,” said Federico. “We try to play a more slowed-down style, yet they have a strong transition game with their midfielders. But the game started to trend in our direction. Our goalie [junior] Braden Civiello has been big with saves and clears this year, and [junior] Cooper Pitts has been great as our face-off guy.”

In order to advance to the championship round, the Cougars previously bested No. 4 seed Morgan at home in the semifinals on May 22 by a 6-5 final in an overtime thriller. North Branford dispatched No. 2 Old Saybrook 12-11 in the other semifinal showdown.

“This means a lot to me and the team,” said Phipps, who thanked Federico, his youth coach Mike Civiello, and his family. “It is great to see the team grow from sophomore year to now, especially this year with our solid core of freshmen and how much we improved from the beginning of the year until now. Playing with most of the seniors for the last 12 years has been an amazing journey.”

Phipps, Braren, Clark University-bound Jack Insalaco (1 assist in the title game), and Aiden Griswold have served as the Cougars’ senior captains this season. While each individual squad steward brought their own unique skill set and intangibles, Federico praised them for helping galvanize the familial feel of the group.

“Alex is the quarterback for the football team, and he’s the QB of our offense. Whenever we need a big goal, he’s the guy that does it. Nolan is so talented and skilled and has been instrumental for us. The way he holds a stick, he draws the attention of the opposing team,” said Federico. “Jack played hurt through the whole season with an achilles injury, and I have never coached a guy with a better motor. He is like our cheat code out there. Aidan does a great job guarding the other teams’ best attackers as our emotional leader. It is all about the guys on the team, and it starts with our senior leadership. The talented younger guys we have here look up to them, and it is a family mentality here.”

The Cougars garnered First Team All-Shoreline representation from Braren, Phipps, junior Charlie Maxwell, and Civiello, plus sophomore Jake Mackenzie, Insalaco, Savoy, and Pitts made Second Team selection.

Following the excitement and celebration that came with winning the conference title, H-K turned its attention to the Class S State Tournament, being seeded 10th and traveling to No. 7 Stonington (14-2) in the first round on May 31. The Cougars took a tough one-goal loss, 12-11, to conclude their season with a final mark of 16-3.

“Winning Shorelines three years in a row means everything to me, especially after not having a freshman season due to COVID and our school having never won a Shoreline title previously,” said Insalaco, who additionally thanked Federico, youth coach Mike Civiello, and his family. “It has been an amazing run, and I am grateful for being able to be a part of it.”

The 2023 H-K boys’ lacrosse team roster is comprised of seniors Phipps, Tyler Perry, Griswold, Braren, McLeod, Insalaco, Nathan Kelly; juniors of Cooper Pitts, Aidan Spong, Kaden Lisitano-Rode, Civiello, Alexander Battistoni, Maxwell; sophomores with Gunnar Howes, McKenzie; and freshmen with Matthew Singer, Savoy, Ethan Pitts, O’Hanlon, Joshua Frith, Collin Green, John Moyher, and Jameson Conte. Darren Meyers is the Cougars’ assistant coach.