Printer Friendly Version - H-K Girls’ Lax Clawed Way to States Through Connections, Camaraderie

Sammy Ruimerman was a senior captain, All-State Second Team, and First Team All-Shoreline selection for the H-K girls’ lacrosse team this spring, which qualified for postseason play. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

Junior netminder Gabby Williams amassed a save percentage of 66 in helping the Cougars girls’ lax squad win seven games and reach the Class S State Tournament. Photo courtesy of Wesley Bunnell/The Source

Many times, the more successful squads are not farmed through numerous and endless reps or marathon sprints in practices, but rather organically through developing natural connections. For the Haddam-Killingworth girls’ lacrosse team, it utilized friendship as the formula to success and a postseason berth.

Head Coach Heather Ferrer and the Cougars bounced back from a 2-5 start to their regular season to claim five out of their final nine contests and finish 7-9 for the campaign. This record qualified the squad for the Class S State Tournament. There, as the No. 9 seed, the Cougars fought valiantly in a close 12-10 first-round loss to eighth-seeded Somers.

Ferrer proclaimed that a lot of the Cougars’ character as a team came through the camaraderie and closeness built through battles. It led to the girls bringing their true passion to the turf and giving maximum effort at all times.

“Our goals for the year were building unity and making it to the state and Shoreline tournaments,” said Ferrer. “We definitely grew in the area of unity, which was evident in the energy brought to games as the season progressed. We did not make it into the Shoreline Conference Tournament due to 'by lot' exclusion, but we did make it to the state tournament.”

In terms of major accomplishments and feats from the campaign, Ferrer boasted how “a large number of new players came out to be a part of the team, and we also attained a winning record.” She also detailed that the girls sharpened their verbal skills with getting their messages and opinions out in the open.

“As we focused on fundamentals and communication, our chemistry on and off the field improved,” said Ferrer. “The seniors, in particular, grew in their connections as a group, which helped us work better together as a team.”

For statistical standouts from the year, senior captain Samantha Ruimerman won 86 draw controls and 53 caused turnovers and interceptions. Junior Ava Ramino notched 51 goals and 88 draw controls while surpassing the 100-goal career milestone. In net, fellow junior Gabby Williams finished with a save percentage of 66.

Those three aforementioned individuals earned First Team All-Shoreline selections for their efforts, plus Second Team went to senior Brigitte Battistoni, and classmate Jaimey DiNapoli was an Honorable Mention. Ruimerman and Ramino were named to the All-State Second Team, and DiNapoli was selected to the U.S. Lacrosse All-Academic squad.

There is a sizable set of impactful seniors who will now hang up their jerseys for good with H-K. Yet the Cougars counter that with a spry and veteran savvy junior class who garnered plenty of varsity experience this spring.

“We lost eight seniors but have eight juniors returning and a lot of sophomore prospects for varsity,” said Ferrer. “It will be a green team but with a lot of potential. Our goalie is returning, which is extremely helpful on the defensive end.”

For team award honors, Ramino was varsity MVP, and her JV counterpart was sophomore Sydney Wrinn. Senior Ella Connelly was named Most Improved Player for varsity, and freshman Molly Celentano earned that honor on the JV scene. Junior Lauren Wiese was Rookie of the Year, sophomore Chloe Oboma was Cougar Spirit Award earner, senior Tea Norman was Team Player of the Year, Ruimerman was bestowed with the Heart, Hustle, and Grit Award, and then sophomore Isabella Kelly won the Coaches Award.

Lastly, speaking more in depth about those final year contributors, Ferrer proclaimed they were a great glue that kept it all together. They also made the entire squad function as one well-oiled machine from top to bottom across all tiers of the program.

“The seniors were the gel of the team. They pulled together and unified the team,” Ferrer said. “They brought a lot of energy and determination. Their dedication and personal commitment to improvement led a strong effort in overall team improvement.”

The Cougars’ 2024 season roster was comprised of seniors Connelly, Caroline Ignatuk, Battistoni, Ruimerman, DiNapoli, Alyson Campbell, Norman, Peyton Tyler; juniors Julia Bermingham, Olivia Campo de la Vera, Madalynn Catalano, Sonya Luneau, Wiese, Seanna Ruimerman, Ramino, Williams; sophomores Chloe Engler, Kelly, Dina Kilroy, Della Krete-Cacase, Peyton McDonald, Sarah Munz, Oboma, Wrinn; plus freshmen Audrey Bailey, Celentano, Alison Dooley, Audrey LaRosa, Mia Lomuntad, Mia McLaughlin, Taylor Russo, Elsa Shatraw, and Maizie Irons.