"Very Positive Season" for North Branford Girls' Soccer

, seventh-year Coach Rick Geremia saw a “veteran team that should contend for Shoreline title” and had goals of qualifying for both the Shoreline Conference and state tournaments.

Geremia was right on and though the T-Birds , they qualified for both postseason tournaments and finished with a 12-6-2 overall record.

“We had a very good season,” said Geremia. “We fell just short of some objectives, but overall it was a very positive season.”

In states, the T-Birds took a first-round before ending the season in the second round of the Class M tournament with a , the No. 2 seed, which advanced to the finals.

led the team as senior captains and were “exceptional leaders during the season,” according to Geremia. “All three demonstrated and led by example and all have tremendous work ethics.”

The captains weren’t the only seniors who brought leadership–there were eight other seniors on the roster as well. Alecia Canfield, who played defense and midfield, was a “versatile, hard-working player,” according to Geremia, while fellow defender/midfielder Alexis Johnson “provided valuable minutes all season” and midfielder Hailey Paternoster was “extremely valuable during the season.”

Vicky Colello, a forward, was a four-year varsity forward who had five goals and four assists in her career with the T-Birds. Forward Kelly Kennedy finished 2011 with eight goals and four assists.

Defensively, Stephanie Sileo started every game as stopper to earn the Desire and Dedication Award. Outside defender Alex Stowe “helped anchor our solid defense,” said Geremia. Goalkeeper Stephanie Torniero allowed just four goals in seven games played.

“Graduating 11 seniors is difficult, but we have a solid group of varsity players are returning,” said Geremia of the 2012 season.

A freshman, a trio of sophomores and five juniors all gained experience this season, which should help the T-Birds next year.

Freshman Marissa Tomaso “added valuable minutes as forward.” Sophomore Natalie Baughan anchored the defense as sweeper, while classmate Sam Stowe had three goals and three assists as a forward. Sophomore goalkeeper allowed just 14 goals in 15 games played.

Pantera and Anderson were named co-MVPs. The pair was also named First Team All-Shoreline. Emmy Dulak earned Second Team All-Shoreline, while Jessica Iannucci and Baughnan were named Honorable Mention All-Shoreline.

Juniors who contributed, according to Geremia, were Iannucci, an outside defender who had “an excellent season;” forward/midfielder Dulak, who had three goals and three assists; defender Francesca Kaiser, a second-year player who added “very good depth;” Ashley DiStatio, who had a “very good season at midfield” coming off ACL surgery; and Rachel Boyers, another second year player who “played very well in midfield."