Submitted by Janice Calvi-Ruimerman
Roses were yellow,
seniors were blue,
HK beat Old Lyme,
on May Nineteenth,
Two Thousand Twenty-Two!
Higganum was adorned in blue and gold as the Haddam Killingworth High School Senior players and managers were honored in their last official season’s game on their home field.
What a way to end the season and play the senior game with back-to-back wins by the Haddam Killingworth Girls Lacrosse Junior Varsity and Varsity teams.
The Wildcats of Lyme-Old Lyme were no match for the HK Cougars, as they were easily defeated: JV 11-4 and Varsity 15-7.
The Junior Varsity team took the field first and serendipitously took the lead, overtaking the Lyme-Old Lyme defense. Goals were scored by Juniors Jenna Whitmer (2) and Brooklyn Bailey (1 incredible sweep-in goal), Sophomores Aly Campbell (3), with an amazing assist by Sarah Birkmeyer, Jaimey DiNapoli (3) and Brigitte Battistoni (1) off the draw, and Freshman Madalyn “Maddy” Catalano (1). JV Goalie Gabriel “Gabby” William aggressively defended her goal allowing only 4 goals as her biggest fan cheered in the stands. Thank you, Auntie!
After the JV game, the seven Senior players, Captains Grace Cassidy, Yumi Imai, Kyla Mazzotta, and Senior Goalie Rhianna “Rhi” Phipps, Senior players Nicole Goosen, Carly Rettberg, Emily Sorrentino and two Senior managers, Grayson Norman and Kayla Davis, were honored with their families and the HK Community, including a surprise appearance from longtime U9 Coach “Coach Sue.” There was such an overwhelming adoration for this team on this day, that a win was sure to follow. HK gained the majority of possessions at the draw easily with stick skills of Samantha “Sammy” Ruimerman and Georgia Cancroft, by drawing teammates, Senior Yumi Imai, Junior Audrey Wrinn and Freshman Ava Ramino. The HK defense of Nicole Goosen, Sophie Ramino, Peyton Tyler and Te’a Norman held the line as fellow defending Senior Kyla Mazzotta ran the ball downfield for a pass to goal. Varsity goals were tallied by Senior Yumi Imai (4), Senior Grace Cassidy (3), Senior Emily Sorrentino (1), Junior Sophie Ramino (1), Junior Audrey Wrinn (2) Sophomore Samantha “Sammy” Ruimerman (1) and Freshman Seanna “SeaSea” Ruimerman (3).
Varsity final score 15-7 to send this team to Shorelines and States.
After 9 years of not making States, what a victory and legacy for our 2022 Team.
Great game, Lady Cougars Way to keep those sticks up and honor your Seniors!
See you at States and Shorelines.
THANK YOU, Ladies!
Brooklyn Bailey 1
Brigitte Battistoni 10
Sarah Birkmeyer 5
Aly Campbell 31
Georgia Cancroft 14
Grace Cassidy 6
Madalynn “Maddy” Catalano 20
Ella Connelly 9
Mya Conlon 27
Jaimey DiNapoli 16
Juliana “JGag” Gagliardi 8
Nicole Goosen 7
Emma Green 3
Caroline Ignatuk 18
Yumi Imai 2
Sonya Luneau 32
Kyla Mazzotta 25
Tea Norman 30
Rhianna “Rhi” Phipps 50
Kelsie Piela 15
Ava Ramino 23
Sophie Ramino 13
Leeha Reddy 4
Samantha “Sammy” Ruimerman 12
Seanna “SeaSea” Ruimerman 17
Emily Sorrentino 21
Peyton Tyler 37
Jenna Whitmer 11
Gabrielle “Gabby” Williams 51
Audrey Wrinn 22
