Printer Friendly Version - NB Girls’ Lax Claims First Shoreline Crown in Three Years

The North Branford girls’ lacrosse team notched its first Shoreline Conference title since 2021 after a 5-4 victory over Old Lyme in the tournament final on May 23. Photo courtesy of Bill O’Brien

The T-Birds girls’ lax squad celebrates a Shoreline Conference Tournament final win over Old Lyme on May 23, along with Head Coach Lori Connelly’s 200th career victory. Photo courtesy of Bill O’Brien

After being a runner-up the past two seasons, this 2024 edition of the North Branford girls’ lacrosse team entered the Shoreline Conference Tournament with a determination and drive that was unlike prior campaigns. It was an intangible force that catapulted them to the top in making the third time the exact championship charm.

Following a 12-4 regular season, the Thunderbirds stepped into the Shoreline Conference Tournament as the No. 2 seed and dispatched third-ranked Old Saybrook in a home semifinal by a 10-8 score on May 22–giving the T-Birds a measure of revenge after the Rams topped them for the Shoreline crown in 2023.

Then, in the final on May 23 at Indian River Complex in Clinton, North Branford scored a thrilling 5-4 victory over top-seeded Old Lyme. The win clinched the team’s first Shoreline conference crown since three-peating in 2018, 2019, and 2021 after the 2020 draw was canceled by the pandemic.

“Bringing home the Shoreline Championship was honestly one of the best moments of my life. I think after constantly making it to the finals and losing gave us some extra motivation,” said senior Callie Holzer. “All of us just wanted it so bad, and I think we all agreed we weren’t leaving without a trophy. It was definitely a mental game, and I’m so proud of our team for staying calm and collected in such a tight game.”

Head Coach Lori Connelly, who also scored a personal bonus in picking up her 200th career win, spoke glowingly about her team’s determination to not be denied a third time, as they returned to the conference championship game.

“Winning the Shoreline Championship was one of our goals at the beginning of the season, so it felt good to accomplish what we set out to do. After making it to the championship in 2022 and 2023, these girls were determined to not let that happen again,” said Connelly. “All the girls were extremely focused in practice leading up to this game and proved that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. We knew it was going to be a tough game against a strong opponent, but they pushed hard the whole game and never let down for a second. It was also exciting to have this game be my 200th win. I did not let the players know ahead of time, as I didn't want them to have any extra pressure, and I know they would have wanted this for me. I wanted the win to be about them, but it was a pretty special way to hit this milestone in my career.”

In the matchup with Old Lyme, junior Sam Ferraro scored the game-winning goal, plus fellow junior Riley Cole added a pair of scores. Holzer and junior Alivia Schmidt had a tally apiece, while senior Keana Criscuolo added an assist.

“My defense has been a strong unit all year, but this game took them to another level. They played harder than they have ever played, but it was their chemistry together that impressed me right from the beginning,” said Connelly. “Everyone was communicating better than they ever had; they were passing off cutters tighter than ever, they were crashing in at the right time. [Sophomore] Alyssa Marino, our goalie, was coming up big with some major saves. They were eight different athletes playing like one, and it was amazing to watch. I have complimented my defense all year and how cohesive they are and how no one blames anyone else for anything. They work together and pick each other up even when mistakes are made. I truly believe their positive attitudes have led to their success. My attack also worked hard controlling the ball, but Old Lyme’s defense was also very strong and made us work all night for our five goals.”

The cohesiveness Connelly spoke of, plus the sting from the prior two runner-up showings, truly drove the girls to the top. Criscuolo also explained how the girls displayed a balanced squad against the Wildcats.

“Our team's main goal this year was to bring home the Shoreline title,” said Criscuolo. “We were so driven and motivated this playoffs because we fell short the last two years in the Shoreline championship game. Our defensive performance was amazing, and our attack worked through adversity.”

Making the All-Shoreline squad for the First Team were Criscuolo, Holzer, and senior Morgan Lucibello, while Ferraro, senior Mikella O’Brien, senior Katie Vaspasiano, and Schmidt earned Second Team honors. Senior Tea Ferrucci notched an Honorable Mention.

When the T-Birds broke camp in the preseason back in the final days of winter, it certainly did not look like a conference championship was in their future with a great deal of question marks. Yet the girls banded together and answered them all emphatically while developing a newfound belief in their own abilities and each other.

“When we started this season back on March 16, I wasn't sure what to expect. We had three varsity starters from the previous year all out on injury with no return date in sight at that time. And we had a brand new goalie who had never been in the net before in her life,” said Connelly. “We had a big group of freshmen come in, but a few were trying the sport for the first time. I was hoping to grow as the season went on and finish in a spot that would get us into the state and Shoreline tournaments and then go from there. From the very first game, though, this team impressed me. The new defense seemed to click right away, and their positive attitudes with each other created a bond right from the beginning. Our offense started finding chemistry with each other as well, and, as confidence in each other grew, their ability to score not only on drives, but cuts as well, increased tremendously. This team came out of the gate ready to fight, and every game they improved.”

Then in the Class S State Tournament, fourth-seeded North Branford downed No. 13 St. Paul Catholic 13-9 in the first round on May 29. Hosting No. 5 Stonington in the quarterfinals on May 31, North Branford prevailed by an 11-9 decision.

The Thunderbirds (now 16-4 overall) face off with top seeded Lauralton Hall in a semifinal matchup on Tuesday, June 4. The winner advances to the state final on Saturday, June 8 at Sacred Heart University.

“Going into states, I think we all have the same optimism,” said Holzer. “We know what we can do, and we’re ready to battle. We are such a close group that when we all strive for the same goal, no one can stop us. I can’t wait to see what we do in the state tournament!”

The Thunderbirds’ 2024 roster is comprised of seniors Gabby Palma, Holzer, Lucibello, Ferrucci, Gianna Gamble, O’Brien, Vaspasiano, Criscuolo; juniors Karma Melillo, Ferraro, Catherine Hannan, Schmidt, Sofia Spanier, Ava Perrelli, Cole, Mary Hannan; sophomores Bella Warren, Marino; plus freshmen Sien Podzikowski, Elianna Piroli, Laila Delfino, Aubrey Weld, Ava Angiollo, Mya Perrelli, Autumn LeBeau, Eliza 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.