Printer Friendly Version - Girls’ Lacrosse Falls in Shoreline Semis, Neifgel Recognized as All-Conference

Ayla D’Anna had one goal and four assists, as the Old Saybrook girls’ lacrosse team fell 10-8 to North Branford in the semifinals of the Shoreline Conference Tournament on May 21. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/Harbor News

The All-Shoreline Conference softball players were recently announced. Jen Neifgel (infielder/pitcher) earned an Honorable Mention for the Old Saybrook/Westbrook team.

The Old Saybrook girls’ lacrosse team traveled to North Branford for the semifinals of the Shoreline Conference Tournament on May 21 and fell 10-8. In the two regular-season games between these two rivals, North Branford won the first game by one goal, and Old Saybrook won the second game by four goals. Both teams seemed hyped for their third meeting this season.

North Branford’s “Player of the Year” Keana Criscuolo proved she was worthy of the title by scoring five goals and assisting on four of the remaining five. Meanwhile, the Rams struggled with the referees, alleged taunts from the other team, and themselves.

With the Rams leading by two goals less than two minutes before the half, the Thunderbirds evened the score at five all by halftime. They held onto the momentum to win 10 – 8. For Old Saybrook, Lila Cadley was high scorer with three goals, Claire Cassella had two, while Ayla D’Anna had one goal and, importantly, four assists. Ainsley and Amelia Sigersmith had one goal apiece. In the net, Cali Morelli registered 11 saves which was better than 50%.

“In the post-game review, the team did some soul-searching to pump themselves back up for the state playoffs by learning and re-learning the life lesson that positive attitudes can be contagious, but that negative attitudes can be even more contagious; that there is no place in a team sport for a discouraging word, and that even a goldfish knows it’s best to quickly forget a dropped ball or bad pass,” said Head Coach Dick Shriver.

Several players on the team earned All-Shoreline Conference honors. Grace Desmond and D'Anna earned First Team honors. Amelia Sigersmith and Kendall Dobratz were awarded spots on the Second Team, and Cassella was an Honorable Mention.

Old Saybrook boys’ lacrosse had a dominant season that led to them claiming the shoreline conference title. Several players also earned All-Conference honors, including Brayden Cody (First Team), Aiden D’Anna (First Team), Wes Percival (First Team), Liam Roberts (Second Team), Ngwang Choegyal (Second Team), and Brendan Cassella (Honorable Mention).