Printer Friendly Version - Hand Field Hockey Ends Season Unbeaten as Class M State Champs

The Hand field hockey squad claimed its third state crown after a thrilling 1-0 overtime win over New Canaan in the Class M State Tournament final on Nov. 18 to cap off an undefeated 2023 campaign at 22-0-1. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

Senior captain Jacqueline Kennedy (17) notched the game and state title-winning goal in overtime for the Hand field hockey team in its 1-0 triumph over New Canaan in the Class M State Tournament final on Nov. 18 at Wethersfield. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

The Hand field hockey squad not only concluded one of its best campaigns in the history of the club with a tandem of team titles, but the Tigers also demonstrated why they were one of the most dominant entities in the state this year, with a stingy defense that did not relent one single score on the biggest stages.

After an undefeated 15-0-1 regular season, the Tigers stormed to their first SCC Tournament title since 2017, and fourth overall, with shutouts of Hamden, Amity, and Sacred Heart Academy.

Then, as the No. 1 seed in the Class M State Tournament, Hand dispatched No. 16 Joel Barlow by a 4-0 final in the opening round, ninth-seeded Branford by a 2-0 decision for the quarterfinals, and then No. 4 Wethersfield in the semifinals with another 2-0 final.

In the state final on Nov. 18 at Wethersfield, Hand faced off with FCIAC rival and sixth-ranked New Canaan, coming away with the crown in a thrilling 1-0 victory that needed overtime to be decided. The win not only marked Hand’s third state title in program history, but cemented an unbeaten 2023 campaign in which the Tigers finished with an overall record of 22-0-1. This was done on the backs of a group that not only worked diligently daily to earn the respect of its opponents, but also the love and admiration of each other.

“This team took the lead from the seniors, the five juniors gave mature, consistent, and powerful energy and athleticism, and the sophomores were talented and tenacious,” said Head Coach Sue Leckey. “Then, three freshmen stepped up, gave us critical minutes, and gave us the extra resiliency we needed to be a state championship team. Ultimately, I believe it is the tremendous respect and kindness they have for each other that is the special ingredient. They fought for each other and together every single day. They truly worked on the day to day dynamics, and it grew into something special.”

Following a scoreless four quarters of regulation play, senior captain Jacqueline Kennedy earned the honor of being the point producer at 6:30 of the extra session that sent the Tigers into a state of pandemonium. She scored on a rebound shot following a corner kick for Hand, with the assist going to senior Kelly Kilbourn.

On the botched first corner, a long pass was made upfield, and then sophomore Claire Rickelman stepped up to intercept the long pass to a trio of waiting New Canaan attackers, giving the Tigers their last offensive effort that led to the victory. A penalty corner was called, which saw senior Becca Snyder pass to senior captain Jordan Kells, Kells to junior Morgan Mastrobattisto, and then Kilbourn slipped the deflected ball across to Kennedy for the decisive goal.

Senior netminder Faith Minickene capped off a superb postseason run of seven shutouts in as many games with 22 stops against the Rams.

“This was the best feeling I ever felt. After a really tough game, hearing Jacqueline score was the most relieving thing,” said Minickene. “It was truly a team effort, and leading up to this game we put in so much work to make sure we could win. We definitely weren't expecting them to be such a hard opponent, but it definitely made us work hard for our win. I think our undefeated season just shows how much we all worked this season and how much dedication we had, where we didn't give up or not try as hard for a single game. As for the shutouts, it was definitely a group effort. My defense and I are a really close group, and I think us all being that close helped us with our success and being able to keep the ball out of the net.”

Always a hallmark of a championship group is a staunch defense, and the Tigers finished off crafting 17 shutouts this season with Minickene posting a 95 save percentage in the cage.

“We had a great defensive unit consisting of Becca Snyder, Claire Rickelman, [junior] Nora Hughes, and [senior] Mary Baker, who worked hard together to minimize the shots on goal,” said Leckey. “Most teams could not get to the goal very often and, when they did, Faith was very good in the net.”

Making First Team All-SCC for Hand were Kells, Mastrobattisto, and Minickene, plus Kilbourn and Snyder made the Second Team. Kells, Minickene and Mastrobattisto earned First Team All-State honors.

“To win states was a dream that we collectively as a team worked so hard for,” said Kells. “I am so proud of our team and our dedication. We grew so much over the course of this season, and it's been an honor playing with everyone. We, especially us seniors, couldn't have asked for a better season.”

Hand previously appeared in state finals in 1998, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2017, and 2019–winning Class M crowns in 2014 and 2017 before this immaculate club etched their mark on the history of not only the field hockey program, but also the long and storied tradition of Hand athletics.

“I think they played for every Daniel Hand field hockey player and athlete that came before them, too,” said Leckey. “They know that a Daniel Hand championship is valued by the entire Madison community. We all take pride in being from Daniel Hand. We know how fortunate we are to have what we have.”

The 2023 Hand field hockey team’s roster is comprised of seniors Snyder, Kilbourn, Nicole Quain, Baker, Kells, Kennedy, Norah Shea, Katie Flanagan, and Minickene; juniors Bridget Waters, Mastrobattisto, Lucy White, Hannah Rich, and Hughes; sophomores Braelyn Frey, Brynn Poole, Ashley Fiorella, Ellie Flynn, Neila Paradiso, Millie Gobleck, Lexi Guerette, Daisy Drought, Eva Rose, Scarlett Marino, Claire Harriman, 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.