By Jennifer Small, Sound Sports Editor:
There were just three games in the regular season that the North Branford girls’ soccer team didn’t win—a 2-1 loss
to Cromwell, a 1-0 loss to Morgan, and a 1-1 tie with Old Lyme. The rest of the
games were victories as the T-Birds outscored opponents 33-7 en route to a
13-2-1 regular-season record marking the best regular-season record in school
history.
The record also earned the team a No. 2 seed in the
Shoreline Conference Tournament where North Branford
fell in the opening round and a No. 6 seed in the Class M State Tournament. The
T-Birds received a bye in the first round before being eliminated 4-2 on
penalty kicks after battling 22nd-seeded Plainville
to a 1-1 tie through overtime to end 2008 with a 13-4-1 overall record.
“We had a good season, but with a few breaks, could have
advanced further in the Shoreline and state tournaments,” said Coach Rick
Geremia.
The team had a trio of seniors that led the T-Birds as
captains in Emily Abelson, Morgan Onofrio, and Chick Young with Abelson earning
an Honorable Mention All-Shoreline nod.
“The captains provided a huge amount of experience and
leadership during the course of the season,” said Geremia.
While the experience and leadership of the captains will be
missed, North Branford returns an all-star
cast for the 2009 season. Kelsey Platner will return to the net after being
named this season’s MVP with nine shutouts and earning First Team All-Shoreline
honors along with Kelly Martin. Jackie Steinke won the Desire and Dedication
Award.
Second Team All-Shoreline selections Chelsea Wollman and
Maddie Simonsen will also return along with Honorable Mention pick Shannon
Anderson, a freshman. Other freshmen who gained valuable varsity experience
this season were Alex Stowe and Vicky Colello, while sophomore Sam Perrelli was
also a strong contributor.
“Several freshman players along and a sophomore provided
great contributions in ’08,” said Geremia. “These players along with an
outstanding ‘09 senior group—Kelsey Platner, Kelly Martin, Chelsea Wollman, Maddie
Simonsen, Lindsay Maurer, and Bri Magnotti—should lead to another successful
season.”
Pictured: Emily Abelson was one of three captains of
the most victorious girls’ soccer team in North Branford
history, along with Chick Young and Morgan Onofrio.
Photo by John Vanacore