The CIAC Division II championship will be a battle of 1 vs. 2. Top-seeded North Haven is returning to the state finals, where it will face second-seeded Woodstock Academy on Tuesday at Quinnipiac University. Here’s how each team got there.
Woodstock outlasts Branford
Generating offense hasn’t been an issue for Woodstock Academy. In that sense, Wednesday’s Division II semifinal was no different for the No. 2 seed Centaurs, who outlasted sixth-seeded Branford 8-5 to return to the finals. The program is bidding for its first state championship since 2017, when it beat Hall/Southington to win Division III.
Woodstock asserted its dominance early, scoring four times in the first period after falling behind 1-0. Noah Sampson tied it, and Jacob Jurnovoy put the Centaurs ahead 68 seconds later. Altogether, the Centaurs erupted for four goals in a span of three minutes.
Sampson and Maxx Corradi finished with three goals apiece, with Jurnovoy and Donnie Sousa accounting for the other two. Jack Linder had a hat trick for Branford. Woodstock is now 23-1, with its only loss coming back on Jan. 11 to North Haven, 5-1.
Petersens propel North Haven back to finals
Alex Petersen scored, and his brother, Bryce, did the rest in net to propel top-seeded North Haven past No. 12 seed North Branford 1-0 in Wednesday’s other Division II semifinal. The Nighthawks now find themselves back in the state finals after losing the title game to Wethersfield last season. The school hasn’t won a state title since 2004.
North Haven’s goal came barely nine minutes into the game. Petersen stopped all 15 shots he faced to make it stand.
The Nighthawks (23-2) are the only team to beat Woodstock this season.
Division II Final
No. 1 North Haven (23-2) vs. No. 2 Woodstock Academy (23-1), March 21, 7 p.m., Quinnipiac University
