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12/26/2017 11:00 PMThe fall of 2017 saw the Hornets' field hockey squad enjoy the latest in its long line of stellar seasons, while the boys' and girls' soccer teams also made their mark in postseason play. Gabija Karosas swam her way to All-State in the backstroke for the third straight year, and the football team capped off its campaign by blowing out rival East Haven.
Field Hockey
The Branford field hockey team continued its tradition of success in 2017. The Hornets won the SCC regular-season title, after which Branford advanced to the SCC Tournament final and the semifinals of the Class M State Tournament. Head Coach Cathy McGuirk's team totaled a record of 17-3-0-2.
Coach McGuirk picked up her 550th career victory with a 7-1 win at Lyman Hall on Oct. 13. Branford's regular season featured a 12-game winning streak, a record of 13-2-0-1, plus a mark of 11-1 in games that counted toward the SCC standings.
The Hornets kicked off the SCC Tournament with a 5-1 win versus Amity and a 1-0 victory against Guilford to advance to face Hand in the championship game. After the two teams were scoreless through regulation and three overtime periods, Hand won the penalty stroke session 4-2 to get a 1-0 victory. Then in the Class M State Tournament, Branford defeated Watertown 4-3 and Mercy 3-0, before taking a 2-1 loss to New Canaan in the semifinals.
The Hornets' senior captains were midfielders LanLe Crotty, Autumn McHenry, and Sabrina Torcellini, and defender Britney Bunbanlu. Senior Erica Klarman played goalie for Branford. Crotty, Torcellini, and Molly Zaffino were All-SCC First Team selections, while McHenry earned a spot on the Second Team.
Boys' Soccer
The Hornets finished 13-6-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class L State Tournament this year.
Branford went 11-4-1 during the regular season to qualify for both the SCC and State tournaments. In the SCC Tournament, Branford dropped a 2-1 decision at Fairfield Prep. Then in the state bracket, Head Coach Paul Hunter's club defeated Waterford 3-1 and posted a 2-0, double-overtime win against Watertown to advance to the quarterfinals, where the Hornets took a 3-0 loss to Guilford. Senior Ethan Boileau was an All-SCC First Team selection.
Girls' Soccer
Branford returned to the Class L State Tournament and recorded its first win since 2014 with a 2-1 victory at Law. The Hornets finished the year at 7-8-3.
The Hornets opened up states with a first-round game at Law and rallied for a 2-1 win. Branford then took a 3-2 loss at E.O. Smith in the second round. Suzanne Prota was an All-SCC Second Team honoree for Head Coach Jen Kohut's team. Senior Nina Grabowiecki was the team's goalie.
Volleyball
First-year Head Coach Cody Michaels and the Hornets posted a record of 12-8 with a share of the SCC Quinnipiac Division title, plus berths in both postseason tournaments.
In the regular season, the Hornets posted a 3-0 win over Foran to clinch a share of the Quinnipiac title. Branford went 11-6 for the regular season.
Branford began the SCC Tournament with a 3-0 shutout of Hand, before taking a 3-0 loss against Guilford in the quarterfinals. In the first round of states, the Hornets dropped 3-1 decision versus East Lyme.
Senior captain middle hitter Haley Maercklein earned All-SCC Second Team honors. Maercklein captained the Hornets alongside fellow seniors Marisa Minore and Erin O'Brien.
Girls' Swimming and Diving
The Hornets had to tough it out as their home pool at Walsh Intermediate School was unavailable to use for the majority of the season. Branford still came away with five victories on the season.
After Branford finished 13th at the SCC Championship, senior Gabija Karosas earned All-State honors in the 100-yard backstroke for the third straight year by placing third at the Class M State Championship, where the Hornets placed eighth. Branford's 400 freestyle relay of freshman Melissa Juliano, Karosas, sophomore Gabrielle Gillis, and senior Sally Nardella finished in third (3:42.98). The relay went on to finish 20th at the State Open on behalf of Head Coach Scott Butler's club.
Football
Branford finished the season with a record of 3-7. The Hornets posted a 45-21 home win over Law, a 23-6 victory at Creed-Career-Whitney, and a 37-0 home victory versus rival East Haven on Thanksgiving.
Senior Danny Thomas and offensive/defensive lineman Jake McPartland were Branford's senior captains. Thomas made the All-SCC Tier 3 Team as a wide receiver, while junior Jackson Seward made it at linebacker. Thomas also earned a spot on the Connecticut High School Coaches Association All-State Class M Team. Sophomore Sean Kelly was Branford's quarterback.
Boys' Cross Country
The Hornets posted an overall record of 4-6 and finished in 15th place at both the SCC and Class MM State championships.
Senior Ryan McCarthy finished 63rd at SCCs and was 62nd in states. Junior Harrison Troidle placed 65th at the SCC meet, while junior Matt Daley came in 76th place at states for Head Coach Kevin Connell's team.
Girls' Cross Country
The Hornets notched a victory when they defeated Oronoque Division opponent Career at home by a 15-50 final. For the season, Branford went 1-9 overall, before sending some representatives to the SCC and Class MM State championships.
At the SCC meet, senior Sophie Spencer finished in 97th place, while Caroline Erickson and fellow senior Emily Borst finished 102nd and 103rd, respectively, as Branford placed 18th as a team. Then in the state meet, Borst paced her way to a 78th-place finish for Head Coach Kevin Connell's squad, which finished in 19th place.