Schools

North Branford Girls' Soccer Starts with Win over Westbrook

The T-Birds' girls' soccer team is looking forward to a strong season and is off to a good start.

Heading into the 2011 season, seventh-year Coach Rick Geremia sees a “veteran team that should contend for Shoreline title” and has goals of qualifying for both the Shoreline Conference and state tournaments.

Senior tri-captains Shannon Anderson (center-mid), Miranda Jassil (mid) and Sarah McDonald (center mid) bring experience to the squad. Anderson was forced to the sidelines for the 2010 season with a PCL injury.

“Shannon is ready to go,” said Geremia, who is assisted by Todd Gagliardi and Jacki Falcigno. “Miranda is a high energy player with speed and quickness who was also captain last season. Sarah is also quick and has great field vision. All three captains are top honors students and bring a tremendous amount of leadership.”

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Other players expected to contribute include seniors Andrea Canavan (forward), Vicky Colello (forward), Kelly Kennedy (forward), Hailey Paternoster (midfield), Alex Stowe (defense) and Stephanie Torniero (goalkeeper); juniors Emmy Dulak (midfield) and Jessica Iannucci (defense) and sophomores Natalie Baughan (sweeper), Katelyn Pantera (goalkeeper) and Samantha Stowe (forward). 

The T-Birds opened the season with a 3-0 win over Westbrook on Sept. 13 behind three first-half goals as North Branford outshot Westbrook 17-8. Pantera and Torniero combined for the shutout in goal with four saves apiece.

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Kennedy was involved in all three of the T-Birds’ scores. She put North Branford on the board 15 minutes into the contest off an assist from Stephanie Sileo. Just 2:30 later, Kennedy scored again, this time from Dulak. With eight minutes remaining in the half, Kennedy assisted Colello to round out the scoring.

Geremia is looking at games against Morgan, Valley, HK and Coginchaug as some key matchups. The T-Birds with a contest on Friday, Sept. 16 at home at 6:30 p.m. and then comes Coginchaug on Monday, Sept. 19 at 3:45 p.m., also at home.

T-Birds' fall previews will run throughout the week.


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