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09/16/2018 12:00 AMFootball
The Branford football team improved to 2-0 on the year by earning a hard-fought, 8-2 victory at Stonington in a non-conference matchup on Sept. 13.
Junior Spencer Landsbach ran in a 9-yard score for the only touchdown of the game with 2:06 remaining in the first quarter. Sean Kelly tossed the 2-point conversion pass to fellow junior Aiden MacNeil to give Branford an 8-0 lead. Stonington recorded a safety with 3:43 to play in the second quarter to make it an 8-2 game at halftime. The Hornets’ defense kept Stonington off the board in the second half as Branford hung on for the victory.
Branford gained 201 yards on the ground in the win, including 123 yards on 18 carries from quarterback Kelly, who also completed six passes for 111 yards. Landsbach ran 11 times for 50 yard and the TD, while junior Kamryn Holmes had eight carries for 33 yards. MacNeil caught three passes for 59 yards, and sophomore Nick Chieffo reeled in a 43-yard reception.
Senior linebacker Chris Bouton had a huge game on defense by recording two sacks to go with 10 tackles. Chieffo made nine tackles, Landsbach had eight tackles, and MacNeil picked off a pass for Head Coach John Limone’s squad.
“We hurt ourselves with some mistakes that could cost us down the stretch, but we were will still able to close out a W. We played well defensively, and our quarterback did a tremendous job leading the way for us,” Limone said. “Stonington was threatening us late. We were fortunate that they had few had snaps that backed them up pretty good, and we were able to hold the line defensively.”
The Hornets’ next game will take place on Friday, Sept. 21, when they will host non-conference opponent North Branford (1-1) in the first meeting between the teams since 1985. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Branford High School.
“The kids are excited about it, and it sounds like the community is exited about it,” said Limone. “It’s a game that means a lot to a lot of people.”
Field Hockey
The Hornets split a pair of contests last week to put their record at 3-1 on the young season. Branford lost a game at Wilton, before bouncing back with a home win over Shelton.
Branford began its week by taking an 8-4 road loss to Wilton in a non-conference game on Sept. 12. Molly Zaffino had one goal with two assists for the Hornets, while fellow junior Brianna Shaw scored a goal to go with an assist. Senior Liante Claude and junior Claire Bickel also scored goals for Branford, and senior Carly Shea had an assist. Junior Gianna Messina made 14 saves in goal. Head Coach Pete Frye said that Branford received great contributions from juniors Karly King and Alexis Pepe, sophomore Jocelyn Smestad, and freshman Julia McHenry in the game.
Two days later, the Hornets hosted fellow SCC opponent Shelton and claimed a 4-1 victory versus the Gaels. Shaw scored two goals and dished off an assist for Branford. Zaffino had a goal and two assists, Shea scored a goal to go with an assist, and King added two assists. Messina made one save in goal for the Hornets. Coach Frye additionally credited Claude, Smestad, and junior Maggie Martin for their solid play in the win.
Boys’ Cross Country
Branford opened up its dual-meet season by competing against Hillhouse and host Hand in a tri-meet at the Surf Club in Madison on Sept. 12. The Hornets defeated Hillhouse 22-38 and took a 19-44 loss to Hand for an early record of 1-1.
Senior Matt Daley finished in second place at the meet by timing in at 18 minutes and 3 seconds for Branford. Also running for the Hornets were senior Andrew DeBenedictis (14th, 19:47), junior Andrew Betzig (17th, 20:00), sophomore Brennan Hynes (20th, 20:18), and freshman Wyatt Reynolds (21st, 20:20). Head Coach Kevin Connell said that Daley gave an outstanding effort in his runner-up performance. Connell also noted that underclassmen Hynes, Reynolds, and freshmen and Ben Watson and Pat Zdunek are working hard to contribute to the Hornets this year.
Girls’ Cross Country
The Hornets stand at 1-1 after splitting a tri-meet at the Surf Club last week. Branford earned a 15-50 victory versus Hillhouse and lost to Hand by a 16-45 final.
Freshman Bella Finta ran a strong race to take seventh place with a time of 22 minutes and 39 seconds. Finta was followed by Isla Lionetti (10th, 23:02), Kacey Gilman (11th, 23:07), Julianne Dillon (14th, 24:20), and Khusbu Shrestha (16th, 25:03) at the meet.
Girls’ Soccer
The Hornets played two games to start off their 2018 season last week. Branford lost to Sacred Heart Academy and then tied Sheehan later in the week.
On Sept. 11, Branford was on the road to play Sacred Heart Academy in its season opener and lost a 4-1 decision. Junior Melanie Sachs scored the Hornets’ goal on a header from freshman Kendall Infantino’s direct kick.
Three days later, the Hornets hosted fellow SCC Housatonic Division opponent Sheehan for their home opener and played the Titans to a 1-1 tie. Senior Melissa Beatty scored from Branford on an assist by sophomore Alayna Boileau. Freshman goalkeeper Macey Girard played a solid game by making eight saves for Branford.
Head Coach Jen Kohut’s team is coming off of a campaign that saw Branford return to the Class L State Tournament, where the Hornets earned a 2-1 win at Law in the first round. The Hornets finished the year with a record of 7-8-3.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving
Branford had a meet in West Haven on Sept. 14 and competed to a 90-90 tie against the Blue Devils. The Hornets have a record of 1-1-1 on the year.
Freshman Rory Jacobson took first place in the 200 freestyle (2:12.03) and the 500 freestyle (5:57.75) for Branford at the meet. Fellow freshman Erika Barone came in first place for the 50 freestyle (27.34) and also claimed first in the 100 freestyle with a time of 1:00.59. Junior Gabrielle Gills won the 100 backstroke (1:01.81), while fellow junior Adrienne Dillon finished first in the 100 breaststroke (1:25.57). Branford’s 400 freestyle relay of junior Cordelia Keberle, Gillis, Jacobson, and Dillon took first place with a time of 4:12.85.
Volleyball
The Hornets took three defeats last week to move to 0-4 on the season. Branford lost contests against Sacred Heart Academy, Lauralton Hall, and Hand in last week’s action.
Branford started off the week by taking a 3-0 defeat (25-23, 25-21, 22-22) at Sacred Heart Academy on Sept. 10. Junior outside hitter Diana Karosas had nine digs with seven kills and five aces for Branford. Sophomore setter Alina Catania recorded 15 assists to go with two aces.
Two days later, the Hornets hosted Lauralton Hall and dropped a 3-2 decision against the Crusaders. Senior middle blocker Taryn Broughal had nine kills on 11 attempts for an .818 hitting percentage in the match. Karosas recorded 15 aces, 12 kills, and 10 digs. Catania handed out 35 assists for the Hornets in the five-set contest.
On Sept. 14, Branford was back home to face Hand for its SCC Hammonasset Division opener and lost by a 3-1 score.