Printer Friendly Version - NB Girls’ Lax Flying High Towards Summit of Shoreline Conference

Keana Criscuolo, who recently scored her 200th career goal on April 25, is a senior captain and a focal point of the offense for the North Branford girls’ lacrosse team, which is looking for its first conference crown since 2021 after falling in the last two Shoreline Conference finals. Photo courtesy of Lori Connelly

After sitting in the silver medal spot of the Shoreline Conference the past two springs, the North Branford girls’ lacrosse team is ready to rid itself of the runner-up sash. In the young campaign, the Thunderbirds have already displayed the dedication, temerity, and overall depth to go for the gold this postseason.

Last spring, after reaching the Shoreline Conference Tournament final and finishing as the league runner-up, North Branford qualified for the Class S State Tournament as the No. 12 seed. The T-Birds first defeated No. 21 Rocky Hill 14-10 in the qualifying round on May 27. In the first round on May 30, the T-Birds were defeated by No. 5 Stonington, 11-6, to finish 14-6 overall for the campaign.

After figuring as a mainstay in the Shoreline Conference title picture for the past several years, the Thunderbirds–sporting a record of 6-2--and Head Coach Lori Connelly look to ascend back to their pedestal while continuing to maintain healthy and beneficial relationships within the club.

“Our goals for the season are to win a Shoreline Championship after winning it three years in a row in 2018, 2019, and 2021 after no season in 2020 and making it to the final in 2022 and 2023,” said Connelly. “We also hope to make a run for a Class S state title. A goal off the field this year was to have no drama on the team between any of the players, and we have done a great job of accomplishing this so far. The girls push each other in a competitive way, but they appreciate each other for it. They truly all celebrate each other's success which is the culture we are striving for in our program. We are trying to teach the girls to pick each other up, and that in no way does another person's success diminish your own. On this team, there is room to celebrate everyone's individual successes.”

Senior defender Gianna Gamble (a reigning All-Shoreline and All-State Team selection) is a captain who unfortunately had to have hip surgery in January and is unable to take part in action this season. Keana Criscuolo is another senior captain who looks to be a fantastic facilitator on offense. She has already made major strides towards that mission, as she recorded her 200th career goal on April 25 for the Thunderbirds. Lastly, junior Riley Cole is a third captain who was sidelined by a stress fracture earlier this spring but recently returned to practices.

“Gianna was a rock solid defender for us the past two years. Although we obviously miss her on the field, she is still at practice everyday helping to run drills and working with the younger, inexperienced players to help them learn the game,” said Connelly. “Keana leads through her incredible skill on the field. She is a key distributor of the ball on the field and really helps control the whole game on both ends of the field. She is a great role model for what hard work and dedication looks like, as she is constantly working to get better even though she is already a top player and a leading goal scorer. Riley is our vocal leader who has also been at every practice helping to lead drills and giving feedback to her teammates whenever needed. While not being able to play, she worked on organizing things for the team behind the scenes and continues to do so as she is returning back to play.”

Criscuolo’s 200th career goal is an accomplishment very few achieve in her sport, and one Connelly explained was super well-deserved.

“Reaching the milestone of 200 goals does not happen to many athletes in their career,” Connelly said. “Keana is the third athlete to do it in my 20 years as head coach. I am so happy she was able to reach this milestone in her career because she is such a humble athlete that just works so hard everyday to be the best she can be for her team. Many will say she is a gifted athlete, which she definitely is, but I think that sometimes those words take away from all the effort she puts in to truly be a well-rounded player and good teammate. Keana is the whole package and is so deserving of this honor.”

Additionally within the senior class are standouts in defender Callie Holzer, midfielder Tea Ferrucci, along with another defensive piece in Mikella O’Brien. Katie Vasspasiano is in her first campaign as a full-time starter, and Morgan Lucibello continues her rapid grasp of the game in the midfield. Gabby Palma flourishes as a utility player.

“Callie has put in so much work to be the best she can be everyday. She is also one of our most aggressive defenders. Tea has worked her way back into the starting line-up after being out the first few games with an injury carrying over from her field hockey season. Tea is such a spark on the field. She is also a big part of our transition game in the midfield,” Connelly said. “Mikella has been a key member of our defense for a few years. She is so versatile that I can put her either on high or low defense, and she plays both flawlessly. Katie is a tremendous low defender who almost never gets beat inside and has a great stick for knocking down passes. Morgan never picked up a lacrosse stick until her sophomore year. She actually started varsity right away because of her ability to understand defense and her phenomenal coachability. Over the past three seasons, Morgan has grown to be an amazing defender. Gabby is a player who always has a positive attitude, a smile on her face, is versatile, and willing to step up anywhere when needed.”

The juniors also house staunch contributors to the squad in attacker Sam Ferraro, helping the T-Birds gain possession off the draw, sharpshooting Alivia Schmidt, who swipes up loose balls, plus Sofia Panier–a newcomer to the varsity ranks.

“Sam is a low attacker that we rely on to control the ball and set up many of our plays. She has also proved to be an asset on the draw circle, which has been a nice option to have,” said Connelly. “Alivia is another athlete that began playing lacrosse in high school but adapted to the sport very quickly in becoming a varsity starter after just one year. Alivia is extremely fast and has a cannon of a shot that many goalies don't see coming. She is also very aggressive and wins most of the ground balls that come anywhere near her. She also became an asset on the draw circle with speed and ground ball ability. Sofia has worked extremely hard to develop her non-dominant hand and is one of the most coachable players I have on the field. She never gives up and will try anything I ask her. I believe all her goals this year have been scored from her left hand, which is quite a feat for any player.”

Standing between the pipes is sophomore and netminder Alyssa Marino, who has fearlessly filled a necessary void due to graduation. Classmate Bella Warren also brings optimism with her demeanor on the field.

“Alyssa stepped up and helped the team when no one else would. We unfortunately graduated both senior goalies last year and had no goalies come up in the freshman class. She is quite a natural at the position. She works hard every day for her team, and her ‘I will do whatever the team needs,’ attitude is something to be admired by all,” said Connelly. “Bella is probably the hardest working athlete on our team. She also has the most positive attitude of anyone I have ever coached. We are still working on building her confidence in games, but her work ethic is going to make her unstoppable as the season goes on.”

Freshman Autumn LeBeau helps solidify the transition game for North Branford, and fellow rookie Sien Podzikowski has produced an added punch, along with Aubrey Weld and Eliza Pinette.

“Autumn is a quiet presence on the field with a big stick. She is a clutch passer and catcher,” Connelly said. “Siena is in her first year playing lacrosse, and her ability to read defensive situations and react correctly is outstanding. She is also extremely coachable, and you can tell she puts in extra hours on her own on her stickwork. Aubrey and Eliza are two other freshmen that are bound to make an impact on the varsity field this year.”

In terms of the stretch run of the regular season, the Thunderbirds take on local non-league rival Branford. Speaking to the Shoreline and key conference clashes, they include Old Lyme, which Connelly commended, “keeps improving every year and has been on our tails the last few,”, along with defending league champion Old Saybrook, which has defeated North Branford in the last two Shoreline Championship games.

Staying more than afloat after fighting through several early-season injuries, the Thunderbirds have had the chance to truly showcase their depth within the program. But even more importantly towards the remainder of 2024, they have highlighted their fortitude as a team to take home the titles.

“I anticipate us growing and getting better each game,” said Connelly. “After facing many injuries and expecting many freshmen to step up, I believe every game is an opportunity for growth, and every game we get stronger. I expect us to be an even stronger team than we already are by the end of the season.”

The Thunderbirds’ 2024 roster is comprised of seniors Palma, Holzer, Lucibello, Ferrucci, Gamble, O’Brien, Vaspasiano, Criscuolo; juniors Karma Melillo, Ferraro, Catherine Hannan, Schmidt, Spanier, Ava Perrelli, Cole, Mary Hannan; sophomores Warren, Marino; plus freshmen Podzikowski, Elianna Piroli, Laila Delfino, Weld, Ava Angiollo, Mya Perrelli, LeBeau, Pinette, and Iris Troqe.

This is Connelly’s 20th season as head coach, as she also serves as the school’s Athletic Director. Her staff is made up of Ryan Connelly, who has been her assistant for 16 years, Joanna Phabmixay (in her fourth year), and Cheryl Canada, who was Connelly’s assistant for two years back in 2006 and 2007.