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05/14/2017 12:00 AMBoys’ Tennis
The Hornets’ boys’ tennis squad improved to 9-6 and qualified for the Class M State Championship by recording a trio of victories last week.
Branford squeaked out a 4-3 victory versus Lyman Hall at home on May 8. Bradley Stutzman (6-0, 6-0), Adean Spaar (6-1, 6-0), and Darsh Patel (6-0, 6-1) prevailed at the No 2, 3, and 4 singles positions, respectively, for the Hornets. Branford’s No. 3 doubles team of Daniel Pagliaro and Justin Veilleux by the final of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 to clinch the victory.
Then on May 10, Branford had a home match against Foran and won 6-1.
Two days later, the Hornets played at East Haven and sealed their spot in states by posting a 4-3 victory.
Girls’ Tennis
Branford played three matches last week and picked up one win to stand at 4-9.
The Hornets’ first match was at Foran on May 8, and Branford took a 5-2 loss.
The Hornets were back at it on May 10, when they pulled off a 4-3 victory at Lyman Hall. Lauren Elmasry (6-2, 6-3, Julianna Pegnataro (6-2, 6-2), and Carol Frye (6-0, 6-0) were victorious at the top three singles positions. Branford’s No. 1 doubles team of Keeley LePre and Tory Rudden claimed a 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 win to seal the team’s victory.
Then on May 11, Branford hosted Hand and took a 7-0 loss.
Girls’ Outdoor Track
Branford finished the regular season at 6-7 after sweeping a tri-meet at Foran at May 8. The Hornets earned a 97-53 win over the host Lions to go with a 95-54 victory against Oronoque foe East Haven.
Bridget Wirtz took first place in both the 100 (13.2) and the pole vault (9-0) for the Hornets. Leah Pendl-Robinson raced to first place in the 100 hurdles in 18.4 seconds. Liante Claude won the 400 (59.9), while Hailey LaBonte claimed first for the triple jump at 29 feet-1 inch. Branford’s 4x100 relay of Amanda Acquarulo, Kayla Pollard, Claude, and Wirtz ran a time of 52.8.
The Hornets were further bolstered by runner-up performances from Wyntre Fries in the 100 hurdles (19.2), Diana Karosas in the pole vault (9-0) and high jump (4-10), Claude in the 200 (27.0), Maya Kyriakides for the 800 (personal-record time of 2:49), and Keira Integlia in the javelin (95-9). Additionally, Kiersten Bjork finished second in the discus with an all-time best throw of 86 feet-2 inches, qualifying her for states in the event.
Boys’ Outdoor Track
The Hornets completed their regular season with a tri-meet in East Haven on May 9. Branford lost 74-67 against Oronoque rival East Haven and took a 72-69 defeat versus Foran to post a record of 4-5.
Aidan Kropiwnicki won the 400 in 53.1 seconds, Marzio Mastrioanni took the 1,600 by running 4:46, and Matt Alexander was tops in the long jump with a distance of 18 feet-8.5 inches for the Hornets. Also, Branford’s 4x800 relay Kropiwnicki, Andrew Byrne, Ryan McCarthy, and Mastrioanni grabbed first place at 8:54.9.
Golf
The Hornets lost to Guilford before sweeping a tri-match against East Haven and Morgan last week. Branford now stands at 9-2-1.
Branford took a 191-207 loss to Guilford at Pine Orchard Country Club on May 8. Ryan Sember and Jason Brennan were co-medalists as both athletes shot a low score of 44.
Three days later, Branford was back on its home course and shot a 163 to defeat Morgan (163) and East Haven (200). Sember garnered medalist honors with his score of 35. Liam Deane (38), Brennan (40), and Max Bunton (50) also contributed to the Hornets’ total.
Softball
The Hornets gained a split of their four games last week and are now 3-12.
Branford opened its week by taking a 13-1 home loss to East Haven on May 8. The Hornets promptly bounced back by routing Shelton 11-1 in a home game the following day. On May 10, Branford lost a 12-0 contest at Hand. The Hornets rebounded to post a 20-4 home win over Hillhouse on May 12.
Boys’ Lacrosse
Branford won two of its three games last week and now sports a record of 9-4. The Hornets dispatched Law and Lyman Hall before losing to Shelton in last week’s action.
On May 8, Branford recorded a 19-2 victory at Law. Jack Manware scored four goals and had two assists, while Noah Pantani notched three goals to go with a pair of assists. Jay Dering, Mike White, Rob Lionetti, and Matt Potter all scored two goals, plus Will Riggs netted a goal and dished off three assists. Brian Nichols had two assists, and Harry Smith, Spencer Engstrom, and Pat Candela added goals for Branford. Nick Cordero and Kordele Brown split the first and second halves in net, respectively, with both goalies making four saves.
Two days later, the Hornets earned a 23-10 home win versus Lyman Hall.
Branford closed the week by hosting Shelton on May 12 and took a 6-4 defeat.
Girls’ Lacrosse
Branford recorded a victory versus Law that was sandwiched between two overtime defeats last week. The Hornets are now 10-4.
Branford took a 13-12 defeat in OT against Lauralton Hall on May 8. The Hornets stormed back from a 9-5 halftime deficit by outscoring the Crusaders 7-3 to force OT, where Lauralton won it. LanLe Crotty scored five goals, while Autumn McHenry netted three goals to go with an assist. Sophie Spencer scored two goals, Ashlee Smestad recorded a goal with an assist, and Sabrina Torcellini added a goal.
Two days later, Branford faced another SCC opponent with a game against Law and sailed to a 17-6 win. Crotty (4), Spencer (3), Torcellini (2), and McHenry (2) were the leading goal scorers for the Hornets, who also received one goal apiece from Haley Maercklein, Brianna Shaw, Morgan Gilman, Katie Parker, Erin O’Brien, and Smestad. Crotty had two assists, while Spencer, O’Brien, and Smestad each had one. Jill Ciarleglio stopped eight shots in net.
The Hornets closed the week with a 13-12 overtime loss at Pomperaug on May 13. Spencer had six goals with an assist, McHenry scored three goals to go with two assists, Torcellini scored two goals and added an assist, and Smestad had a pair of assists.