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05/20/2024 02:38 AMThe Haddam-Killingworth boys’ lacrosse squad has spent the last several seasons establishing itself as a dynasty in the Shoreline Conference Championship conversation with a trio of trophies. The Cougars are on the fast track to adding to their pile after another proficient regular season, though rather than resting on past laurels, H-K is staying present, in the moment, and focusing on the next game.
Following an impressive 14-2 regular season in 2023, 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.
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.
This spring, the Cougars stayed the course, at least as far as the regular season is concerned, by finishing with another 14-2 record. Head Coach Fred Federico explained that the boys are certainly locked in on running it back and adding a conference crown to the Cougars’ trophy case for the fourth straight spring. Yet they also know that the task at hand will involve a similar script from 2023 in overcoming a squad that has had their number thus far.
“We have our minds set on winning the league tournament for the fourth consecutive season,” said Federico. “But just like last year, we will likely have to go through a team that has beaten us twice already by one goal in each game in Old Saybrook.”
Leading the Cougars’ climb back to the top of the Shoreline summit is a trio of senior captains. Charlie Maxwell is the squad steward representative out of the defensive end of the turf. Cooper Pitts has aided the offense as a forward/attacker, plus between the pipes protecting the H-K net is goaltender Braden Civiello.
The youth has also been on the rise for the Cougars this spring with several upperclassmen stepping up to starting roles and producing prodigious numbers. Sophomore attacker Ethan Pitts has fired away 47 goals and handed out 18 assists for 65 total points. Meanwhile in the midfield, his classmate in Spencer Savoy has amassed a 55-point season with 40 tallies to go along with his 15 helpers on scores.
The Cougars wrapped up the final week of the regular season in impressive fashion. First, they took down Valley Regional by a 10-3 margin on May 13. Then, against Cromwell on May 15, H-K whalloped the Panthers by a 25-1 score. In the finale against Old Lyme on May 17, the Cougars prevailed by a 12-10 margin.
The Shoreline Conference Tournament and its four-team draw began on Tuesday, May 21 with the semifinal round at the home sites of the higher-seeded teams. In that round, H-K will host North Branford at 4 p.m.
The semifinal victors will meet in the championship game on Thursday, May 23 at Indian River Complex in Clinton with a start time slated for 7:30 p.m.
Regardless of how the conference bracket plays out for Federico and the Cougars, they are looking ahead to the Class S State Tournament, which kicks off on Friday, May 24 with first round play. He detailed that if the boys stay the course they have trekked on all campaign, then they can certainly make it a lengthy stay in the draw.
“We also want to have a great showing in the state tournament and think we can advance far if we continue to play well,” said Federico. “However, it will be a huge challenge, as we are very young–starting seven sophomores and one freshman.”
The 2024 Cougars' team roster is comprised of seniors Andres Montes, Cooper Pitts, Civiello, Alexander Battistoni, Maxwell; juniors of Brett Kohs, Gunnar Howes, Jake McKenzie; sophomores Declan Moriarty, Matthew Singer, Savoy, Ethan Pitts, Finnegan O’Hanlon, Joshua Frith, John Moyher, Jameson Conte; plus freshmen Kody Lehet, Lucas Norko, Merritt Pruchnicki, and Tyler Traczyk.
Federico is back for his third campaign as the head coach of the Cougars. Darren Myers, his assistant coach, has been with the program for seven years now.
2024 Haddam-Killingworth Boys’ Lacrosse Regular Season Results
April 9: H-K 12, North Branford 1
April 11: H-K 17, Morgan 4
April 13: H-K 7, North Haven 6
April 16: H-K 16, Old Lyme 3
April 19: Old Saybrook 11, H-K 10
April 20: H-K 15, Branford 2
April 23: H-K 16, Valley Regional 1
April 25: H-K 11, North Branford 5
April 30: H-K 18, Morgan 1
May 1: H-K 20, Cromwell 1
May 3: H-K 17, St. Paul Catholic 6
May 7: Old Saybrook 12, H-K 11
May 10: H-K 9, Stonington 5
May 13: H-K 10, Valley Regional 3
May 15: H-K 25, Cromwell 1
May 17: H-K 12 Old Lyme 10