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11/06/2016 12:00 AMGirls’ Swimming and Diving
The Branford girls’ swimming and diving team competed in the SCC Championship at Southern Connecticut State University on Nov. 4 and scored 389.50 points to finish in ninth place.
The Hornets’ top performance came from its 400 freestyle relay of freshman Gabrielle Gillis, junior Sally Nardella, junior Gabija Karosas, and senior Isabel Albinger, which finished in eighth place with a time of 3:53.68. Branford’s two other relays both came in 10th place. The 200 medley relay of Karosas, senior Jamie Beler, freshman Cordelia Keberle, and Albinger did so with a time of 2:01.42, while the 200 freestyle relay featuring Gillis, Nardella, Beler, and Keberle swam a 1:48.91.
For individual events, Karosas finished 12th in the 100 backstroke at 1:04.25 and was 21st in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:22.40. Also, Nardella placed 16th in the 200 free (2:04.33) and 25th in the 100 butterfly (1:07.60), Beler finished 17th for the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.87, Albinger took 22nd in the 50 free (26.77) and was 29th in the 100 free (59.48), senior Isabelle Gillis finished 27th (1:08) for the 100 fly, and Gabrielle Gillis was 24th in the 100 free (58.34) and 27th for the 200 free (2:10.80). In the 100 backstroke, freshman Adrienne Dillon finished 17th (1:06.58), senior Margaret Angelo was 22nd (1:07.68), and Keberle finished 31st (1:11.07). Keberle also took 29th place in the 50 freestyle at 27.35.
Volleyball
The Hornets’ volleyball squad earned a 3-1 victory versus Hand in the quarterfinals of the SCC Tournament before taking a 3-0 defeat to Amity in the semifinals. The Hornets bring a record of 13-7 into this week’s Class L State Tournament.
As the No. 5 seed in the bracket, Branford prevailed at No. 4 seed Hand in four sets by scores of 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 25-14 on Nov 1. Erin O’Brien had 38 assists with four kills, Adrienne DiGioia went 21-for-21 serving with 18 digs and 14 kills, and Haley Maercklein had 16 kills, 12 blocks, and seven digs to lead Branford. Marisa Minore posted 11 digs and nine kills, plus Diana Karosas added six kills.
Two days later, Branford played at top-seeded, eventual champion Amity and dropped a 25-15, 25-20, 25-20 decision in the semifinal round. DiGioia recorded 14 kills and nine digs, Maercklein had nine kills, seven digs, and five blocks; and Minore had five digs for the Hornets.
As the No. 13 seed in the Class L bracket, Branford is hosting No. 20 Middletown (9-9) in a first round duel at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7. If the Hornets prevail, they’ll play at No. 4 seed Hand in the second round at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Boys’ Soccer
Branford enters play in the Class L State Tournament as the No. 26 seed and will play at No. 7 seed Torrington (11-4-1) in a first round contest at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8. With a victory, the Hornets (6-9-1) would play at the winner of No. 10 Wethersfield and No. 23 Maloney in the second round on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.
Girls’ Soccer
The Hornets completed their season by earning a 2-0 home victory over Foran on Nov. 1. Branford finished the year with a record of 3-12-1.
Football
Branford hosted SCC Tier 2 opponent Foran on Nov. 4 and took a 42-12 defeat to the Lions. The Hornets are now 4-4 with two games remaining.
Foran led 14-0 before Noah Lordan’s 13-yard touchdown run made it 14-6. Foran (4-3) then used a 54-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-6 lead into halftime. Jay Dering returned the opening kickoff of the second half 78 yards for a TD as the Hornets cut it to 21-12. However, the Lions scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and added another in the fourth for the 42-12 final.
Lordan ran 17 times for 68 yards to lead Branford on the ground. Griffin Lynch completed 12 passes for 97 yards and Daniel Thomas had seven receptions for 42 yards. On defense, Brian Nichols had an interception, while Spencer Berty recorded a sack to go with 10 tackles for the Hornets. William Ryder added nine tackles.
Branford’s next game is at SCC Tier 3 squad Law (3-4) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11. Law is 3-2 in Tier 3, Branford is 2-2 in the tier, and Sheehan is in first place at 3-1.