Printer Friendly Version - Cash Puts His 100th Win at Branford in the Bank; Boys’ Hockey Doubles Up Amity, 4-2

Senior Zach Cash earned his 100th win with the Hornets’ wrestling squad by pinning an opponent from Ellis Tech last week. Cash has the fifth-most wins in program history with 101. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

Senior Zach Cash earned his 100th victory as a member of the Branford wrestling team last week when the Hornets competed at the Ellis Tech Duals on Jan. 13. Cash, who wrestles in the 160-pound weight class, picked up his milestone win by recording a pin against Ellis Tech, and he went on to win another match that day for win No. 101. Cash currently stands in fifth place on Branford’s all-time win list.

As a team, the Hornets posted a 57-6 home win over New Haven on Jan. 9, before competing at the Ellis Tech Duals in last week’s action. At the duals, Branford defeated St. Bernard and Bacon Academy, while losing close contests against Foran, Waterford, and Ellis Tech. Head Coach Sophomore Cody McHenry led the way by recording five wins via pin for the Hornets, who have a record of 11-7 on the season.

Branford had a pair of SCC/SWC Division II matchups last week and split the two games to stand with a record of 5-1-1.

On Jan. 12, the Hornets hosted Guilford and took a 4-2 loss at Northford Ice Pavilion. Branford netted a pair of goals in the first period as Spencer Engstrom scored from fellow sophomore Blake Kustra just 2:13 into the game, followed by sophomore Jack Manware’s goal from Engstrom with 1:07 to play in the period for a 2-0 advantage. Guilford scored in the middle of the second period to make it a 2-1 game and then tied it at 2 by getting a goal 4:24 into the third. The Indians scored a goal to take a 3-2 lead with 3:15 to play in the game and added an empty-net goal with six seconds left for the 4-2 win.

The next day, Branford faced off against Amity at Bennett Rink in West Haven and prevailed 4-2 versus the Spartans. Kustra scored from junior Max Bunton and Engstrom to give Branford a 1-0 lead late in the first period. The Hornets added three goals in the second period as Manware scored from Bunton, Kustra scored his second on assists by junior Robbie Lionetti and Bunton, and Manware netted his second goal with an assist from Kustra. Amity scored its two goals in the third period for the 4-2 final.

The Branford-East Haven-North Branford girls’ ice hockey team played one game last week and took a 3-1 loss at Simsbury in a non-conference contest at the International Skating Center of Connecticut. North Branford senior Morgan Odice scored the lone goal of the game for the Wings, who dropped to 5-3 with the defeat.

The Hornets lost two of their three games last week and are now 5-6 on the year. Branford defeated West Haven before dropping decisions against Mercy and Guilford in last week’s games.

On Jan. 8, Branford traveled to West Haven and notched a 47-42 win versus the Blue Devils. The Hornets trailed 12-10 after the first quarter, but outscored West Haven 14-9 in the second quarter on their way to the win. Senior Emma Pierson scored 14 points for the Hornets, while junior Sophia Araneo added 12 points, and sophomore Karly King had 10 points in the victory.

Two days later, the Hornets played at Mercy and took a 66-34 defeat in their SCC Hammonasset Division opener. Pierson scored 11 points in the game.

Then on Jan. 12, Branford hosted Guilford for another divisional game and lost by the final score of 74-40. Araneo and King both had 10 points, while senior Tori Raffone scored eight points.

Branford took defeats against West Haven, Amity, and Career last week and are now 1-8 this season.

The Hornets hosted West Haven for their SCC Quinnipiac Division opener on Jan. 8 and lost by a 71-43 final. Sophomore Kevin Baxter scored 11 points, senior Ethan Boileau had nine points, and senior Danny Thomas grabbed nine rebounds for Branford in the loss.

On Jan. 10, the Hornets had a home game against Amity and took a 62-38 defeat against the Spartans. Senior Damien Maniscalco scored 14 points, and Boileau added 10 points for Branford.

Branford closed the week with a Quinnipiac contest and Career and dropped a 72-31 decision.

The Hornets competed at their second SCC Developmental meet of the season at Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven on Jan. 9.

Branford’s 1,600-meter spring medley relay of junior Carlos McCaay, senior CJ Miller, and juniors Aidan Kropiwnicki and Marzio Mastroianni finished in fifth place with a time of 3:51.50 and also qualified for the Class M State Championship. Kropiwnicki additionally posted a fourth-place performance in the pole vault by clearing 11 feet-6 inches. Junior Justin Dombrowski cleared 9-6 in the pole vault and finished in sixth place. Mastroianni also qualified for states in the 600 by recording a time of 1:30.21.

Additionally, Harrison Troidle set a personal best in the 1,600 with a time of 5:02.52, while fellow senior Cody St. Pierre threw a personal-best distance of 29 feet-5 inches in the shot put.

“The various relay races have been an area of excitement and success for the team. This meet was no exception as Carlos, CJ, Aidan, and Marzio ran very well,” Head Coach Rich Biondi said. “I was also very happy for Harrison Troidle. I have coached Harry since he was in the 6th grade. He trains hard and has passion for the sport. His effort was a [personal record] and there is no question that he will continue to improve from now until the end of spring season.”

On Jan. 13, Kropiwnicki cleared 11 feet to place 18th in the pole vault at the SCC Coaches Invitational, which was also held at Floyd Little Athletic Center. Junior Brandon Perez cleared a height of 5 feet-6 inches to place 22nd in the high jump for the Hornets.

The Hornets saw two athletes record first-place finishes at last week’s SCC Developmental meet that was held at Floyd Little Athletic Center on Jan. 8.

Sophomore Diana Karosas took first place in the high jump by clearing 4 feet-10 inches, while senior Bridget Wirtz cleared 10 feet to take top honors in the pole vault. Karosas also finished fourth in the pole vault (8-6) and 10th in the shot put with a throw of 29-1. Karosas qualified for states in all three events with her performance. Sophomore Kathryn Pollard (24-8) and Paige Richardson (21-1) also competed in the shot put for Branford at the meet. senior Wyntre Fries (10.81 seconds) and sophomore Molly Zaffino (10.98) ran the 55-meter hurdles, while sophomore Rose Lockery posted a time of 8.12 for the 55-meter dash.

Then on Jan. 13, Branford was represented by a couple of athletes at the SCC Coaches Invitational. Junior Liante Claude took sixth place in the 600-meter run with a mark of 1:44.78, and she also ran a time of 44.25 seconds to finish eighth in the 300-meter dash for Branford. Lockery ran the 55 and timed in at 8.45.

The Branford-Guilford boys’ swimming and diving team had a meet at Hamden last week. The Hornets took a 101-74 loss at the Green Dragons on Jan. 12.

Sophomore Aidan Henry took first place in the 200 freestyle (1:52.09) and the 100 butterfly (57.57) for the Hornets. Henry also swam with freshman Daniel Kamen, junior Andrew Orce, and junior Noah Horton on the victorious 200 medley relay that timed in at 2:00.08. Additionally, freshman Alan Penna took first place in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:58.77 at the meet.

Sophomore Jack Manware netted a pair of goals when the Branford boys’ ice hockey team doubled up Amity by a 4-2 score on Jan. 13. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound