New Canaan wins playoff; Mercy 7th

TRUMBULL — New Canaan and Fairfield Warde finished in a tie when they met during the regular season, so what happened when the two formidable girls golf teams competed in the CIAC Championship on Tuesday? They finished their respective rounds of 18 with the same team aggregate scores, of course.

Yet Tuesday’s tie had to be broken.

After the Rams and Mustangs each registered a state record team score of 327 in the championship tournament held at Tashua Knolls Golf Club, more golf was played to determine the team title.

And New Canaan successfully defended its title by the slimmest of margins.

Edging Fairfield Warde in a three-hole, aggregate playoff, New Canaan captured its second straight state championship. The Rams shot a 54, which was played on the course’s 10th-12th holes, while the Mustangs carded a 55. Five players from each team played each hole, with the top four scores counting toward the team total. This marked the second consecutive year that New Canaan placed ahead of Warde for the state team title.

“It feels incredible, coming up here we just tried to go out here and have fun, so for us to win it is that much sweeter,” said New Canaan senior Lauren Capone, who shot an 87 over 18 holes. “We tied them during the season, so to have a playoff today was one of the most serendipitous events that could happen. This was my last competitive event and to have a playoff and have us win it was special.”

Mercy finished seventh with an aggregate of 371. Praewa Treekul was the Tigers’ top finisher with a 77, good for a tie for fourth place. Mercy’s Meghan DeVille ended in a four-way tie for 13th after shooting an 84.

Sarah Houle of Newtown claimed medalist honors at the event for the second year in a row. A senior, Houle shot a 2-under-par 70 to win the individual championship. She was the only player to shoot under par on Tuesday.

“It got off to a good start with a birdie on the first hole, making a 3-footer,” said Houle, who proudly wore her first-place medal. “Then I just played steady throughout my first nine — I had an eagle on 14, which really helped me. To end my senior year this way is amazing. I am so grateful.”

Wethersfield placed third in the team standings with a score of 359, followed by Glastonbury (359) and Greenwich (369). Fairfield Ludlowe (370), Mercy (371), Newtown (374), Ridgefield (384) and Darien (386) rounded out the top-10 teams. Junior Meghan Mitchell led New Canaan with a 3-over-par 75, while junior Mia Gramesty carded a 77 for Warde.

“I’m very proud of our team, we all did very well,” Gramesty said. “We work really well together and we had a great tournament. New Canaan is an amazing team as well. Overall, we had a very strong season.”

Said Mitchell: “It matters so much more, because of the playoff, which made it very exciting. We had to focus on what we had to do and go out there and play better. It was such a fun way to win it.”

Greenwich sophomore Sydney Nethercott shot a 75 and along with Mitchell, had the second lowest score. Gramesty and Treekul of Mercy were tied for fourth with a 77.

“I hit a lot of greens in regulation, which made it easier for me,” Nethercott said. “I was struggling with my drive today, so it was good that some of the holes were short, because I didn’t have to use it on every hole. It’s a little nerve-wracking to play in this tournament, but it’s also fun playing against this competition.”

Junior Jessica Nuzzaci of Warde finished with a solid round of 78, while teammates Bethany Fell and Emily Healy came in with an 83 and 89, respectively.

“That was very exciting, I have never been involved in a playoff before in any tournament,” Nuzzaci said. “Our team was really special this year and very consistent — we had a 10match winning streak during the season. We have a really good team dynamic, so hopefully, we can take it home next year.”

New Canaan and Warde significantly improved their team scores from last year’s state tourney. The Rams won it with a 348 a year ago, while Warde posted a 354.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more, regardless of how it turned out,” New Canaan coach Priscilla Schulz said. “There was a lot of pressure on both teams in the playoff, but I think everyone handled it so well. I am ecstatic for the girls and for the seniors.”

Julia Bazata shot an 81 for the Rams, placing among the top 10.

For Bazata, it has indeed, been a freshman season to remember.

“I’ve had a lot of help and support from our upper classmen, who have guided me and have been my mentors throughout the season,” Bazata said.

Morgan Hibbert, a junior, posted an 84, while teammate Caroline Addeo, a senior, shot a 93.

“Every year is a grind, but we got through it again,” Hibbert said. “My short game improved a lot compared to FCIACs — I just tried to play shot-byshot.”