Printer Friendly Version - NB Boys’ Lax Primed to Parlay Second-Half Surge into States Run

Connor Stoner has served as a senior captain and long stick midfielder for a resilient North Branford boys’ lacrosse team that rebounded from a 1-4 start to finish 10-6 for the regular season. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound

Greg Ferraro is one of a handful of sophomore sensations this spring for the Thunderbirds boys’ lax squad. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Sound

The North Branford boys’ lacrosse team certainly did not start off the campaign looking like the reigning Shoreline Conference runner-up and a state title contender. Yet the boys stayed composed, poised, and patient to put themselves back into the postseason conversation.

The Thunderbirds stumbled out of the starting gates for 2024, recording only one lone win in their opening five contests. Yet the boys dug deep and responded in a big way–finishing the regular season on a hot 9-2 stretch to finish 10-6 overall and return to both the Shoreline Conference and Class S State Tournaments.

Then, on May 21 in the Shoreline Conference Tournament, North Branford traveled to Haddam-Killingworth for a semifinal showdown that was a rematch of last year’s title tilt won by the Cougars. North Branford gained a measure of revenge with a 7-6 victory to catapult itself to the final against top-seeded Old Saybrook on May 23 at Indian River Complex. The Thunderbirds took a hard-fought loss in the contest.

Head Coach Dave Carpenter has certainly taken great note of the Thunderbirds’ tremendous in-season turnaround. And despite not taking home a Shoreline Conference title for North Branford, the boys have certainly shown their mettle and are ready to show how battle-tested they are in the upcoming Class S State Tournament.

“Since our first Old Lyme game this year, we have made great strides. The team is getting healthy and we're scoring goals,” said Carpenter. “Our goal was to win Shorelines. We needed to beat Haddam-Killingworth to advance to the finals, and we've lost to them twice in the regular season. Then we can make a good push in states.”

North Branford had great guidance on the field with a fearsome foursome of dedicated senior team captains. Luke Blomster and Brady Martinik help to create offensive firepower as attackers. Connor Stoner is a meticulous medium between the offense and defense as a long stick midfielder, plus centering the defense in net is goalkeeper Jack Maley.

“Luke Blomster is a big, hard dodger that can get to the goal. He has a great shot and is a force on offense. Brady Martinik is a smart, crafty dodger that can both shoot and facilitate. He is a student of the game and is always looking to get better,” said Carpenter. “Connor Stoner is a lockdown defender that always plays against the other teams’ best midfielder. He is a ground ball machine, and he's great in transition. Jack Maley is the anchor of the defense while being very vocal and a great ball stopper. He has quick outlets and a great lacrosse pedigree.”

Another tandem of veterans have helped the Thunderbirds stay stingy on defense in senior utility man and defensive midfielder Braden Burns. He is joined with classmate and defender Pat LeBeau—a young man who can certainly project his message to others while leading through his actions.

“Braden Burns is a great all-around player that can play defense and offense,” said Carpenter. “Pat LeBeau is the vocal leader of our defense and can put everyone in the right place. He plays a good position on the ball and is a good team leader on defense.”

The sophomore class has a solid triumvirate of standouts at each tier of the turf. First, attacker Cam Lacroix showcases speed and elusiveness. In the midfield, AJ Sigel can stop on a dime while juking frustrated defenders. Lastly, Greg Ferraro is fearless by taking on an opponent’s top offensive assignment on a daily basis.

“Cam Lacroix is our leading scorer and has a great stick and dodging ability, and he is a dual threat to score or feed,” said Carpenter. “AJ Sigel is a dangerous downhill dodger that can draw a slide against anyone. He is also a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Greg Ferraro is a great close defensemen that takes on opposing teams’ best attackmen; he is fundamental and physical for his size.”

The Thunderbirds will begin the Class S State Tournament as the No. 9 seed on Wednesday, May 29 against St. Bernard-Wheeler in first round action. While the regular season is now far behind Carpenter and they are certainly not resting on their laurels, the Thunderbirds look to build upon that momentum to make a memorable run to the top.

“Hopefully we can continue to grow as we enter the postseason,” said Carpenter. “We want to hopefully also have a good run and bring home some hardware.”

The 2024 North Branford roster is comprised of seniors Burns, Colby Longo, Martinik, Lucas Vollono, Blomster, LeBeau, Stoner, Maley, Joseph Jacobs; junior Tanner Izzo; sophomores of TJ Connelly, Sigel, Lacroix, Luca Landino, Chase Nugent, James Criscio, Ferraro, Mark Borzillo, Nicholas Maher; plus freshmen Luca Angiollo, Gavin Berardesca, Christian Wright, Landen Burns, Frank Laboy, Aiden Biehler, William Small, Connor Watterworth, Max Becker, and Jake Becker.

Carpenter has now been the head coach for North Branford for nine years. This season, he is assisted by four-season staff veteran Derek Grzebisz and newcomer Tanner Opie.