North Branford Rallies to Win Field Hockey Title [VIDEO]

WETHERSFIELD, CT — After 30 minutes of play in the Class S field hockey championship game Saturday, North Branford found itself in an unfamiliar spot - trailing, for just the second time all season.

That quickly changed, as a pair of goals in a 3:30 span of the second half lifted the Thunderbirds to a 2-1 victory over Granby Memorial to claim their fourth state title, and first since 2006.

Cheryl Latona of Granby netted the only goal of the first half, assisted by Gabrielle Sturgeon.

"After the first half, we were not worried, I felt like we still held the pressure," North Branford coach Babby Nuhn said. "We just had to relax a little bit and get back into our normal groove."

The top-seeded Thunderbirds accomplished that rather quickly, tying the contest 9:28 into the second half on a goal by Amelia Raucci. Exactly three and a half minutes later, Ava Galdenzi converted off a penalty corner to provide a lead North Branford would not relinquish.

Granby, the No. 2 seed, had a few chances down the stretch, including a penalty corner in the final 45 seconds of regulation time, but was unable to get the ball past Thunderbird goalkeeper Jordan Regan.

North Branford finished the season undefeated at 19-0-1, while Granby Memorial closed at 17-2-1.

Photo and video credit: Tim Jensen