Printer Friendly Version - Hand Field Hockey Blanks SHA for First SCC Title in Six Years

The Hand field hockey team celebrates with its first SCC Tournament title since 2017 after defeating Sacred heart Academy 1-0 in the final on Nov. 1 at Amity. Photo courtesy of Al Carbone

Senior Faith Minickene was named SCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player for the conference-champion Hand field hockey squad, and stands with the award and SCC Commissioner Al Carbone. Photo courtesy of Al Carbone

It had been a long time coming for the Hand field hockey team, but given the effort, heart, and belief surrounding the squad all season long, it came as little shock to the Tigers that they were able to scratch their way to the winner’s circle of the conference draw in an always-competitive Southern Connecticut Conference.

Following a 15-0-1 regular season and 12-0 record inside the SCC that gave the Tigers the league’s regular-season crown, Hand entered the SCC Tournament as the top seed. Following a 5-0 blanking of eighth-seeded Hamden in the quarterfinals on Oct. 28, and shutting out No. 5 Amity in the semifinal round on Oct. 30, Hand stared across the field at Amity in the SCC Tournament final on Nov. 1 at seventh-ranked Sacred Heart Academy (SHA).

The Sharks gave the Tigers all they could handle, but it was not to be, as Hand concluded the tournament by not allowing a single tally and finishing with a 1-0 win–giving Hand its first conference bracket crown since 2017, and fourth overall since the league conducted a postseason tournament beginning in 2010.

“It was amazing to see the girls win the SCC title. We have not been to the final game in a few years, and have not won the tournament since 2017, so it was great to see their hard work and dedication to the sport and each other pay off in a fun celebration,” said Head Coach Sue Leckey. “They also won the regular season title, but there is nothing that beats the championship game celebration after you fought so hard for 30 minutes to close the deal.”

Following a scoreless first period, Hand amassed what would be the game-winning goal at the 6:51 juncture of the second stanza, when senior Kelly Kilbourn scored off a feed from senior co-captain Jacqueline Kennedy and fellow senior captain Jordan Kells, named the conference’s Player of the Year.

“This was a huge win that really showcased our team’s hard work throughout the season,” said Kells. “Heading into states now, we are looking to take it one game at a time and stay focused. We are also using our determination from the regular season and SCCs to continue to build our team unit and hopefully capture a state championship.”

From there, the defense and senior netminder Faith Minickene (named SCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player after a trio of tournament shutouts) clamped down to close out the clock to the crown, as Minickene made nine total saves on the evening, with seven of them coming after halftime.

“It was the best feeling for us to win SCCs. I feel like this season we all put in some much dedication and work in at practice and also off the field,” said Minickene. “Everyone needed to make sacrifices and all of this work finally was able to pay off in this championship. We are really like a family on this team, and it is amazing that we will always have this championship together. It means so much to all of us, especially the seniors in knowing this was our last opportunity to get this done.”

Leckey explained the tight final score was indicative of such a well-played contest on both sides, with neither club showing any desire to concede.

“We were able to score in the second period, which of course is great to get on the board first, but Sacred Heart we knew would not go away,” said Leckey. “Both teams played super hard, aggressive field hockey and would not settle for anything but their best effort. It was a great testament to the game of field hockey, and the play in the SCC.”

Basking in the afterglow of the big victory, Leckey, also named SCC Coach of the Year, went on to praise her entire group for their mental and physical fortitude on a daily basis–adding it started at the top with the seasoned leadership of the final-year Tigers.

“This group of players has challenged themselves to get better every practice and every game. The seniors set the tone; they are hard-working, competitive, leaders and great teammates,” Leckey said. “It is always a team effort for the Tigers. We controlled some of the game and allowed SHA to control parts of the game. We do our best when we use our style of play to possess the ball and control the pace of play. The Hand team has great team chemistry, and when they are playing together, they are hard to defend.”

Making First Team All-SCC for Hand was Kells, junior Morgan Mastrobattisto, and Minickene, plus Kilbourn and senior Becca Snyder made the Second Team.

Hand entered the Class M State Tournament also as the top team in the draw with an overall 18-0-1 record. In the first round on Nov. 7, the Tigers hosted 16-seeded Joel Barlow and blanked the visitors 4-0. Hand then went on to host No. 9 Branford in the second round on Nov. 9 and prevailed 2-0.

Hand now battles No. 4 Wethersfield in a semifinal on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Cheshire High School. The winner faces either No. 2 Guilford or No. 6 New Canaan in the final on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Wethersfield.

“We are excited and ready for the Class M Tournament,” said Leckey. “They know the competition will be tough and that as the No. 1 seed, they will have to continue to rise to the occasion and score goals, as well as defend strong in the defensive end. Everyone needs to be working hard and helping to elevate the play together. The team has great players, but to win, they will have to play great as a team and be focused and fierce.”

The 2023 Hand field hockey team’s roster is comprised of seniors Snyder, Kilbourn, Nicole Quain, Mary Baker, Kells, Kennedy, Norah Shea, Katie Flanagan, and Minickene; juniors Bridget Waters, Mastrobattisto, Lucy White, Hannah Rich, and Nora Hughes; sophomores Braelyn Frey, Brynn Poole, Ashley Fiorella, Ellie Flynn, Neila Paradiso, Millie Gobleck, Lexi Guerette, Daisy Drought, Eva Rose, Scarlett Marino, Claire Harriman, Claire Rickelman, Grace Brown, Jane Barrett, and Maggie Lavin; and freshmen Avery Waters, Dillon Staak, Maria Hickey, Addison Shearer, Emma Malec, Rachel Lehman, Isabel Papuga, Makayla Perreault, Evelyn Lavigne, Maria Tinajero Clark, Peyton Palo Mack, Ella Bodner, Rachel McCartney, and Katelyn Woytowich.