By Janice R. Calvi-Ruimerman
(May 2, 2025) — On May 1, 2025, a solid defense led by a stellar offense took the field and took the game as the Haddam-Killingworth High School Girls Lacrosse team hosted the Morgan Huskies of Clinton.
The drawing duo of captains Ava Ramino and Seanna “SeaSea” Ruimerman gave Morgan very little opportunity to move the ball downfield. Possession was the key component making the Huskies play fetch, while the defense held strong with a continuous “catch and release” by Morgan at the arch.
In the first play, Cougars dominated, with SeaSea gaining possession on the draw to Sydney Wrinn then Ramino for the score. Next, Ramino with a steal lofted to Lauren “Louie” Weise to Audrey Bailey to SeaSea for her second goal that quarter leaving the scoreboard at 3-1 HKHS.
The second quarter led by Ramino on draw hit the 4th followed by an epic steal by Kiera Lundt to Weise to Ramino for another goal. The half was finished with a penalty shot by SeaSea, leaving the Huskies licking their wounds during halftime with a 6-4 lead by HKHS.
“All bark and no bite” was the theme for the second half with consistent possession by the Ramino/Ruimerman dynamic duo. With an overhead lob by Ramino to Chloe Oboma, the Cougars rose to 7 on the board, followed by draw possession and goal by SeaSea, giving HK a three-point lead. Junior Sydney Wrinn, with a double rebound, pulled HKHS to 9 and the SeaSea/Ava draw/goal play hit the 10-point mark, quickly followed by a steal from Mia McLaughlin back to Ruimerman for an 11-7 third quarter tally in favor of the Cougars.
The fourth quarter became a “sit and stay” for the Morgan Huskies, while the defense, led by Captains Madalynn “MaddieCat” Catalano and Gabrielle “Gabby” Williams, left no shot on goal.
The HKHS defense created an invisible barrier as Williams blocked 13 shots on goal during this game. With Ruimerman drawing possession and sailing a rocket from the 8-meter, the board glowed 12-7. Morgan’s goalie, feeling the pressure, came out of the box only to be clipped by Ramino for the steal and goal bringing HK to a 6-point lead.
With a side arm penalty shot by SeaSea, the score jumped to 14-7. And finally, with seconds on the board, a steal from Morgan’s attack left them chasing their tails and looking for the ball as Ruimerman lofted a three-quarter field pass to Weise for the game-ending goal, and a final score of 15-7 for the HK win. Working together pays off!
Goals: Oboma (1) Ramino (5) Ruimerman (7) Weise (1) Wrinn (1)