New Haven -- As the exciting the High School Field Hockey season draws to a close, the James Vick Foundation is beyond proud to announce the athletes that will compete for the JVF Dragons in 2025.
After an exhaustive recruiting process over the last three months, we are pleased to present the young women that will represent this organization in competition.
2025 will be the fifth season for the Dragons, and the very first time the team will engage in national competition. As the first competitive nonprofit based Field Hockey team in the sports history, The Dragons have moved beyond being happy to be here, and now are seeking to win.
With 9 returning starters, 11 all conference athletes, and years of experience together, many believe this will be the best JVF Dragons team to ever play.
Captains
Jillian Lydon: Senior Midfielder, Orange Connecticut
Entering her forth year with the JVF Dragons, the All-SCC selection, and Bryn Mawr College commit, returns yet again as a leader of the team. Jill's tenure with the JVF has ushered in a new era of spirited, and competitive Field Hockey, an era she started alongside Addy Maxwell, and has presided over ever since. 2025 appears to be the cresendo of everything this young lady has worked for over her entire JVF career. Jill's soft touch, her kind demeanor, her vision, and her Field Hockey IQ will be at the enter of a fast paced Dragons attack.
Ava and Isabella Raffone: Senior Midfielders, Wallingford Connecticut
The sisters Raffone will return to the Dragons for a second run, but this time as Captains. Both sisters are returning starters, 2024 All-SCC selections, and critical to the loaded JVF Dragons offense that will take the field iin 2025. Ava Raffone, known for her creativity, toughness, and stick skills, gives the JVF Dragons the type of visionary midfielder that will create goals and opportunity for everyone on the team. Isabella Raffone, a dynamo of a competitor, is known for her speed, spirit, and ability to attack the defense. "Bella" give the Dragons the most complete midfield in the history of the team.
Giada Broccoli, Senior Central Midfielder, Hamden Connecticut
One of the best Field Hockey players in Connecticut will finally take on the mantle of JVF Dragons Captain. Entering her third year with the JVF, Giada is already one of the most decorated Field Hockey athletes in the history of the program. A two time All-SCC First team selection, Giada returns to the fold after leading the Hamden Dragons to the SCC title game. The Hamden's native's skill, her ambition, her toughness, her ability to create offense, and to do it all in the center of the field, "G" will make the JVF Dragons dangerous all game long in 2025.
2024-2025 Roster (Including Training Camp invitees)
Lucy Dickenson: Senior Forward, Cheshire Conneticut
Lexy Patel: Junior Forward, Hamden Connecticut
Lyla Patel: Junior Defender, Hamden Connecticut
Lilly Bellet: Junior Defender, Stonington Connecticut
Larissa Martins: Junior Midfielder, Waterford Connecticut
Brooke Ouelette: Junior DCM, Westbrook Connecticut
Thalia Zwerees: Senior Defender, Branford Connecticut
Izzy Ash: Senior Midfielder, Groton Connecticut
Audrey Steward, Senior Midfielder, Waterford Connecticut
Holly Querker: Sophmore Forward, Amity Connecticut
Jozie Becker: Junior Forward, Hamden Connecticut
Katie Coughlin: Senior Goalie, Orange Connecticut
Mikayla O'Conner: Senior Defender, Simsbury Connecticut
Madison Thomas: Junior Defender, Wallingford Connecticut
Ava Martin: Junior Middy/Defender, Hamden Connecticut
Gabby Day: Senior Defender, Hamden Connecticut
Addy Maxwell: Senior Forward, Bethany Connecticut
Quinn Miller: Junior Goalie, Waterford Connecticut
Izzy Lee, Senior Forward, Clinton Connecticut
Alexis Maher, Sophomore Forward, Killingworth Connecticut
Hailey Delucia, Sophomore, Defender, Wallingford Connecticut
Talia Coppola, Sophomore Forward, Amity Connecticut
Outlook: The Dragons enter the season as official members of USA Field Hockey. Four years after the first Dragons team took the field, this team will be the first to compete at the national level. In terms of experience, talent, the personalities, understanding of the JVF mission, and staff, the organization has unprecedented hopes for this version of the team. In attempting to qualify for the NCCS in 2025, these Dragons will become the first club ever to attempt such a feat with a 501c(3) tax exemption. The socio-economic implications of the quest give this team a special mandate that no team before them has had.
The team will be paced by a deep offense with returning starters Jillian Lydon, Holly Querker, Giada Broccoli, Lucy Dickenson, Lexy Patel, Ava Raffone, and Bella Raffone. The offensive attack will also be bolstered by the return of 1st Team All-ECC Midfielder/Forward Izzy Ash. The additions of the speedy 1st Team All-SAC selection Izzy Lee, the first team All-SCC forward Jozie Becker, and the talented central midfielders Sybil Neary. Larissa Martins and Audrey Steward giving the team depth it has not seen in 5 years of competition.
Defensively the Dragons will field the best unit they have in years with returning starters Lily Bellet, Lyla Patel, and Shoreline Athletic Conference Co-Player of the year Brook Ouellete. Returning to the defense after a short stint in 2024 will be the incredibly talented Mikyala O'Connor of Simsbury. O'Connor is regarded as one of the best defenders in the country. The tough as nails Wallingford native Madison Thomas, returning veteran Gabby Day, and 5 year veteran Thalia Zwerees will round out the defense with Waterford native Lily Valentino joining the JVF for her maiden voyage with the team.
Entering her first season as the full time starter in the cage will be Senior Katie Coughlin who served as the Panthers goalkeeper for two years, and finally will lead the Dragons during the 2025 season. Joining the Dragons for her first season with the JVF will be All-ECC Goalkeeper Quinn Miller. Miller gives the team depth, and talent in the cage.
Leading the girls will be Associate Head Coaches Lauren Griffin, and Kylie Gargiulo.
Coach Kylie is fresh off an amazing season with AIC (American International College) Field Hockey. A season in which she led her team to unexpected success as a Division 2 Head Coach, and is now considered one of the better up and coming coaches in America.
Coach Lauren Griffin will bring decades of experience as a player and a coach, sharing her wisdom with a hungry group of competitiors.
The JVF Dragons will open training camp at CFC Park in January of 2025 as they prepare for the Yale Series, and RCCS.
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