Granby Girls Lacrosse Wins Gold at Nutmeg Games

Granby’s 18-and-under (futures) girls lacrosse team shined at Connecticut’s Nutmeg Games Sunday, taking home the competition’s gold medal in that category of competition.

A total of 13 Granby girls from ’s varsity and JV teams participated in the tournament, winning three games of seven-on-seven lacrosse to reach the final contest. Granby defeated the other finalist, Windsor, in a high-scoring contest that ended 28-25 in favor of the local girls.

The final match took place at West Hartford’s Conard High School, where Granby coach Holly Johnson noted a number of team standouts and key plays in the medal round that helped give Granby the win.

“The Summer Olympics takes the top spot in sporting news these days, but the CT Nutmeg Games just finished a week long run and one local highlight is Granby's gold medal winning lacrosse team,” Johnson said.

Johnson pointed to remarkable saves at key moments by goalie Hala VanNostrand, which helped keep the relatively close game scored in Granby’s favor. On offense, there was top-notch scoring from Cailene Gunn, Olivia Johnson and Mia Olsen throughout the game. Granby’s defense was best represented by strong play from MacKenzie Brower and Kate Mooney. Overall strong, impactful play from Molly Freedman and Ali Ricci helped Granby take the gold back home.

Granby’s team consisted of a wide array of students, from rising sophomores through recently graduated seniors from Granby Memorial High School’s 2012 spring team. The full roster of the team is as follows.

Cailene Gunn

MacKenzie Brower

Kate Mooney

Colleen Leonardi

Mia Olsen

Molly Freedman

Ali Ricci

Madi Fink

Olivia Johnson

Anna Kleis

Kathy Kleis

Rebecca Rising

Hala VanNostrand

Coaches: Brigid Gunn, Holly Johnson

The Nutmeg State Games is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides a forum for initiating and encouraging camaraderie between all people in Connecticut. It is the largest amateur multi-sport event in the state, according to its website.