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10/17/2016 12:00 AMBoys’ Cross Country
The Branford boys’ cross country team reclaimed the SCC Oronoque title by sweeping a home tri-meet against divisional foes North Haven and Cross at the Supply Pond on Oct. 13. The Hornets defeated North Haven 24-34 and Cross 20-36 to finish the regular season at 6-3 overall with a record of 4-0 in the Oronoque Division. Branford had won the division several years in a row before North Haven beat the Hornets by a point to take the title last season.
“This was a big win for the boys. They lost by a hair last year and got their revenge at home,” Head Coach Kevin Connell said. “I was very proud of how every one of them performed today. They ran as a team and it all came together for them. They regained the Oronoque Division title.”
Branford’s top five runners were all within 1:05 of each other to help the Hornets take back the crown. Andrew Byrne finished in second place with a time of 17:50 to lead Branford. Spencer Mariotti finished fourth (18:22), Matt Daley took sixth (18:36), Harry Troidle was eighth (18:46), and Ryan McCarthy claimed ninth place in 18:55. Andrew DeBenedictis came in 12th place (19:17) and Robbie Lionetti finished 18th (19:35).
“Andrew Byrne came back from [the Wickham Park Invitational] to run an inspired race. The team needed him to come up big and he led the way,” said Connell. “I think we got everything we could from everyone. Ryan McCarthy really solidified our top five and had a great race. He has been consistent in his work all season and it paid off today.”
Girls’ Cross Country
The Hornets completed their regular season with a home meet versus Cross and North Haven at the Supply Pond last week. Branford lost to Cross 22-36 and took a 24-33 defeat to North Haven to finish at 2-7. Cross also defeated North Haven at the meet to win the Oronoque Division title that Branford had won for the past 10 seasons.
“The girls were low on numbers, but they had their best race of the year. A couple of more runners out there could have made the difference,” said Head Coach Kevin Connell. “Today would have been an impossible mission to accomplish, but they went after it. After 10-straight years, we hand the trophy over to Wilbur Cross. They had a good team with a lot of spirit and deserved it.”
Courtney Cosgrove raced to a second-place finish with a time of 21:09 to pace the Hornets’ pack. Cosgrove was followed by Sophie Spencer in sixth place (23:15), Emily Borst in 12th (23:44), Molly Klarman in 15th (24:14), and Omaima Nasry in 24th at 27:55.
“Courtney Cosgrove also showed what she was made of today. She ran a time equivalent to what Cyrene Nicholas ran last year, so she is ready for the postseason,” Connell said. “We have been short on numbers, but not on effort. Sophie Spencer ran with a lot of heart today; an amazing run. She is a great competitor and showed it today.”
Volleyball
Branford prevailed in two of its three matches last week to improve to 9-5 on the season and earn berths in both the SCC and state tournaments for the sixth year in a row. The Hornets swept North Haven 3-0 at home on Oct. 11, posted a 3-0 sweep in Guilford on Oct. 14, and took a 3-1 defeat at Fairfield Warde the next day.
Branford improved to 5-1 in the Oronoque Division by sweeping North Haven 25-10, 26-24, 25-16. Marisa Minore had five kills and eight digs for the Hornets. Haley Maercklein recorded seven kills with six blocks and two digs, while Lauren Elmasry had two kills, four digs, and an ace. The Hornets can win another Oronoque title with a week versus Foran this week.
In the Guilford sweep, Adrienne DiGioia had 14 kills with 11 digs, Maercklein tallied nine kills, 11 digs, and four blocks; and Erin O’Brien had 27 assists with three digs to lead Coach Eva Esposito’s squad. Minore had nine digs with seven kills and three aces, while Jen Hwang added nine digs.
Branford closed the week by dropping a non-conference contest to Fairfield Warde in four sets. DiGioia had 12 kills, six digs, and two blocks; Maercklein had eight kills with seven digs and two blocks, O’Brien handed out 22 assists and added an assist, and Hwang posted 12 digs for Branford. Additionally, Diana Karosas went 10-for-10 serving and had three kills, Maddie Obrempt was 8-for-8 on serve, and Madison Daniels served 4-for-4 and added two kills.
Field Hockey
Branford won three games last week to run its record to 10-1. The Hornets posted a 6-0 shutout in North Haven on Oct. 11, blanked Lyman Hall 10-0 at home on Oct. 13, and earned a 4-2 home victory over Stonington on Oct. 15.
In the North Haven win, junior Caitlin Baker scored her first varsity goal for the Hornets. Molly Zaffino had two goals, while LanLe Crotty, Sabrina Torcellini, and Kiersten Bjork scored one. Bjork also had two assists, plus Brianna Shaw and Autumn McHenry had one apiece. Keira Integlia and freshman Gianna Messina shared time in goal for Branford. It was Messina’s first varsity appearance and she also played in the subsequent win over Lyman Hall.
The Lyman Hall game saw 24 Hornets contribute to the victory. Liante Claude recorded her first varsity goal, Bjork scored three goals, and Britney Bunbanlu had two goals for the Hornets. Crotty, Carol Frye, Zaffino, and Shaw also put home goals. Shaw was the big helper with three assists, plus Branford received one each from McHenry, Bjork, Bunbanlu, Torcellini, Crotty, and Zaffino. Head Coach Cathy McGuirk also noted strong play from Alanna Grimm, Carly Shea, and Emily Sachs.
Facing non-conference opponent Stonington, Branford led 3-1 at halftime and went on to the 4-2 win. Torcellini scored from Bjork to give Branford a 1-0 lead 12 minutes into the game and Stonington scored three minutes later to tie the game at 1. With 4:02 to play before the half, Zaffino scored from Shaw to give Branford a 2-1 lead. Torcellini notched her second goal with Frye getting the first to make it 3-1. Stonington cut it to 3-2 by scoring with 17:33 left in the game, but Zaffino scored her second goal on a Crotty assist with 4:24 to play to put Branford in command at 4-2. Integlia made seven saves for the Hornets, including one diving save that was followed by a stick clear.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, Branford is hosting its Play Pink fundraising game in support of breast cancer awareness when the Hornets host Guilford at 7 p.m.
Boys’ Soccer
Branford lost a pair of contests last week and is now 5-7 this year. The Hornets took a 3-1 loss in Sheehan on Oct. 11 and a 3-1 defeat at Amity on Oct. 13. Branford needs a minimum of one win and a tie in its last four games to qualify for states.
Kadir Sahin scored Branford’s goal on an assist from Ethan Boileau in the Sheehan defeat.
Against Amity, Trey Duval scored for the Hornets with an assist by Ben DeMaio.
Girls’ Soccer
The Hornets lost two games last week to move to 2-10 for the season. Branford lost 3-2 in a home game versus Mercy on Oct. 10 and took a 4-2 defeat at Hamden four days later.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving
Branford hosted a pair of meets at Walsh Intermediate Pool last week and dropped decisions against both opponents. The Hornets took a 102-78 loss to Shelton on Oct. 11 and a 91-87 loss against Hand on Oct. 13 to drop to 5-5 for the season.