Boys Lacrosse Team Loses One But Moves On

Editor’s note: This article was reported by students in the Multimedia Journalism class at Southern Connecticut State University through a collaboration with the Branford Eagle, New Haven Independent and Valley Independent Sentinel.

The river behind James L. Macveigh Alumni Athletic Complex at Branford High School allows for some forceful winds when teams practice and play on the turf field.

The voice of boys lacrosse head coach Jim May cut through the howling breeze during a recent practice, as he urged his team to hustle.

“You got to finish! Come on now!”

“Like a lightning bolt! Let’s go!”

“I’d like you to run not walk. This is lacrosse.”

Those are just a few choice phrases that May uses to motivate his players during practices.

“They don’t have a problem hearing me,” May joked.

The team’s season started Wednesday against Notre Dame of West Haven, a team they have not beaten since 2011. The losing streak continued as the Hornets fell 12 to 2.

The rest of their schedule proves tough as well. They play Daniel Hand of Madison (0 – 1) today at the Madison Surf Club. The Hornets also play powerhouse programs Fairfield Prep and Xavier of Middletown on the road this season.

The Branford Hornets finished last season with an 8 – 8 record in the regular season which was enough to get them to the qualifying round of the Class M state tournament. As the 17th seed in the rankings last year, they won a defensive battle against fellow Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) foe Sheehan to get to the first round of tournament play. There the Hornets suffered a crushing 14 to 2 defeat to the number one seed in the tournament, North Haven.

Now entering his sixth year as head coach, May looks ahead to this season with a positive outlook, but also with much need for improvement.

“We are not the best team in the division,” May acknowledged. ​“We’re just not. We haven’t been that way even in 2007 when we were in the state championship. I think it’s more our enthusiasm, our heart, getting first time ground balls which keep possession. If we do those things we will benefit.”

The Hornets’ strength is in defense. The unit is led by senior Tristyn Wooster, a 6’3” 215 pound defensemen, who signed his National Letter of Intent to play at Arizona State University in February.

Wooster sees himself as a physical player that contributes to a group that coach May said he is most confident in.

“We have a very mature defense,” said Wooster. ​“Every year when we get new players we try to bring those guys into the brotherhood. Us as a defense and myself personally we are trying to average no more the five goals a game which is tough to do, but with our guys I think its doable. We want to clinch a higher seed than we did last year because once we get to the playoffs anything can happen.”

Also heading the defensive squad are the Degoursey twins, Noah and Zach.

Zach is a two-year starter in goal for the Hornets, while Noah comes off of a junior season where he was named to the All-SCC 2nd team defense. They are both headed to Keene State University next year to play lacrosse. Steve Hacker is the final piece in a senior squad of defenders.

“I would say Noah Degoursey and Tristyn Wooster are our two best players,” said May ​“and they have unbelievable leadership and skill for their craft, which is good. The whole group down there, it’s a good group. It’s a big difference from one side of the field to the next because it’s the four seniors that are captains all in the defensive end.”

May said his concern is the offensive side of the ball. Branford lost most of its offense from last season to graduation, including two 2nd team All-SCC midfielders, Noah Lohman and Mike Caminear.

“The three top scorers last year are gone,” said May. ​“That’s a big deal. I think that we have filled in those spots nicely. Now we just have to see if the ball goes in the net like last year.”

The Hornets plan on running a ​“motion offense” in an attempt to confuse and tire out defenses. Senior Brad Valalik, junior Noah Pantani and senior Eamon Duffy will lead what is otherwise an offense with a lack of experience and depth.

“I feel like I have to be the captain on the offensive end,” said Valalik. ​“Not only do I have to step up but I feel like the rest of the younger kids that are moving up through the ranks, trying to get where I am and trying to score goals, they have to step up as well.”

May said he hopes his team will take on the personality of past Hornets teams before them, and said his style of coaching will propel them from the underdog role he sees them in.

“I think if we need to possess the ball and do smart things each possession, which is hard for 15, 16, 17 year old kids to do no matter if they’re skilled or not,” said May. ​“Kids here in Branford, they stay humble. I would say I stay true to who I am which is a strict old school coach and they respond well to that. There’s very little room for error during practice and games. But I have no problem with a good laugh.”