Page 202 - WHS FH 2014

Field hockey: Things, Players to Look for in the

CIAC State Tournaments

By Dan Nowak
Sunday, November 2, 2014

• CIAC Class L – Darien vs. Cheshire part III?: The Blue Wave and Rams have met in the L final the last
two seasons with Darien winning both times. Both teams have the talent on both sides of the ball to get there for
another championship game rematch.

• Hand and coach Sue Leckey are due: Hand has had its share of exceptional talent over the years. The Tigers
have been in four Class M finals since 1998 with the last appearance in 2010 but have never won the title. This
season the Tigers are poised to make another serious challenge with depth in every phase of the game, including
one of the top goalies in the state with Mel Rennie.

• More SCC fire power: In addition to Hand and Cheshire, new member Lauralton Hall, Branford and Guilford
in Class M and Hamden in Class L give the Southern Connecticut Conference depth in the state tournament and
any of those four teams can make a long run. The Crusaders have the best shot to go far as it mirrors Hand with
their depth and talent front to back. Lauralton Hall is also on a postseason mission after losing 1-0 to Wilton in
OT in the Class M final last season.

• Shoreline Conference always tough in Class S: North Branford, Westbrook, Haddam-Killingworth, Old
Saybrook and Valley Regional all have their share of talent and will be tough outs in Class S. Since 2005,
Shoreline teams have combined for five Class S championship appearances. H-K was Class S co-champ with
Lewis Mills in 2005, North Branford beat H-K for the title in 2006 and H-K won the title in 2012.

• Wilton awfully tough in Class M: Three-time Class M champ Wilton, 14-3-1 this season, is loaded with
talent again led by forward Megan Cunningham, midfielders Delaney Baxendale and Kristin Godin, defender
Caroline Taverna and goalie Amanda Hendry.