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FIELD HOCKEY-CIAC STATE TOURNAMENT ANALYSIS
CIAC pairings were released today for the Class L, M and S tournaments with no surprises when it comes to the seedings.
With only two New Haven area teams in Class L, this tournament looks destined for a Simsbury vs. FCIAC team (pick one) in the final. Simsbury should have an easy go of it in the upper bracket. In the lower bracket, although both teams are extremely well coached with their share of talent, Amity-Woodbridge and Cheshire will be hard-pressed to advance past the first round. No. 12 Amity faces host and No. 5 Stamford in the first round and No. 11 Cheshire faces host and No. 6 South Windsor in the first round. If Cheshire gets by South Windsor, then it has to travel to No. 3 McMahon-Norwalk in the quarterfinals.
I am looking forward to Class M because we could easily see a rematch of the 2005 state final with Hand-Madison vs. Branford in this year's final on Nov. 17 at Wethersfield High. In 2005, Branford defeated Hand 1-0 for the title.
I see the Tigers, motivated by runner-up finishes in the 2005 and 2006 finals, taking no prisoners with forwards Lyndsay Dolan, Lauren Cardarelli, midfielder Andrea Bringardner, goalies Brittany Parker and Ali Birnbaum and defensive standouts Kellie Morrissey, Shannon Callinan and Shawn Flanagan dominating front to back. Branford has its share of talent and depth as well led by forwards Chelsea Sheehan, Amanda McLean and Kirstin Auer, goalie Tori Redding and back line standout Val Milici, one of the top defensemen in the state. Pomperaug, Darien and defending champion Wilton (beat Hand 2-0 in the 2006 final) are no slouches either. Potential interesting matchup: Hand gets a bye in the first round and will host the winner of the Wilton-Nonnewaug game in the quarterfinals on Nov. 8.
In Class S, top seed Granby, No. 2 Canton and No. 3 Avon are always talented and tough. But watch for defending champion No. 5 North Branford and 2006 runner-up No. 6 Haddam-Killingworth to make a serious run at getting back to the final. North Branford beat HK 1-0 in OT to win the 2006 title.
The Cougars are led by one of the most prolific scorers in the state with forward Leslie Zules with additional scoring coming from Kellie Moskey, Lindset Griswold, Danielle Page and Jess Hall. The Thunderbirds also have a balanced scoring attack led by Jennifer Walker, Fallon Pfeiffer, Mary Dematteo and Christina Riccitelli.
For complete pairings click here http://www.casciac.org/gfh.shtml
With only two New Haven area teams in Class L, this tournament looks destined for a Simsbury vs. FCIAC team (pick one) in the final. Simsbury should have an easy go of it in the upper bracket. In the lower bracket, although both teams are extremely well coached with their share of talent, Amity-Woodbridge and Cheshire will be hard-pressed to advance past the first round. No. 12 Amity faces host and No. 5 Stamford in the first round and No. 11 Cheshire faces host and No. 6 South Windsor in the first round. If Cheshire gets by South Windsor, then it has to travel to No. 3 McMahon-Norwalk in the quarterfinals.
I am looking forward to Class M because we could easily see a rematch of the 2005 state final with Hand-Madison vs. Branford in this year's final on Nov. 17 at Wethersfield High. In 2005, Branford defeated Hand 1-0 for the title.
I see the Tigers, motivated by runner-up finishes in the 2005 and 2006 finals, taking no prisoners with forwards Lyndsay Dolan, Lauren Cardarelli, midfielder Andrea Bringardner, goalies Brittany Parker and Ali Birnbaum and defensive standouts Kellie Morrissey, Shannon Callinan and Shawn Flanagan dominating front to back. Branford has its share of talent and depth as well led by forwards Chelsea Sheehan, Amanda McLean and Kirstin Auer, goalie Tori Redding and back line standout Val Milici, one of the top defensemen in the state. Pomperaug, Darien and defending champion Wilton (beat Hand 2-0 in the 2006 final) are no slouches either. Potential interesting matchup: Hand gets a bye in the first round and will host the winner of the Wilton-Nonnewaug game in the quarterfinals on Nov. 8.
In Class S, top seed Granby, No. 2 Canton and No. 3 Avon are always talented and tough. But watch for defending champion No. 5 North Branford and 2006 runner-up No. 6 Haddam-Killingworth to make a serious run at getting back to the final. North Branford beat HK 1-0 in OT to win the 2006 title.
The Cougars are led by one of the most prolific scorers in the state with forward Leslie Zules with additional scoring coming from Kellie Moskey, Lindset Griswold, Danielle Page and Jess Hall. The Thunderbirds also have a balanced scoring attack led by Jennifer Walker, Fallon Pfeiffer, Mary Dematteo and Christina Riccitelli.
For complete pairings click here http://www.casciac.org/gfh.shtml
posted by Dan Nowak at
12:54 PM
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