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10/07/2018 12:00 AMField Hockey
The Branford field hockey team had a busy week that featured four games on its slate, and the Hornets came away with five points between two wins and an overtime defeat. Branford, which is 6-2-1-1 overall, has qualified for the Class M State Tournament in its first season with Head Coach Pete Frye.
Branford started off the week by claiming a 5-0 victory in North Haven on Oct. 1. Junior Brianna Shaw netted three goals for Branford, while senior Liante Claude had a goal with an assist. Junior Molly Zaffino also scored a goal for the Hornets, who received assists from juniors Maggie Martin and Madison Acquarulo, plus sophomore Jocelyn Smestad. Branford’s defense prevented North Haven from getting a shot on goal as Hornets’ junior goalie Gianna Messina recorded a shutout.
Two days later, Branford lost a 4-3 overtime decision against Amity in a home game. Amity led 1-0 at halftime and took a 2-0 lead early in the second half. Zaffino’s goal got Branford on the board with 14:25 left in the game, after which she assisted Shaw for the tying goal with 2:20 to play. Amity went up 3-2 with 1:27 left, but the Hornets tied it up again when Martin scored on an assist from junior Karly King with just 46 seconds remaining in regulation. Amity scored with 2:46 to go in overtime to win the game. Messina made four saves in goal for the Hornets, who picked up a point in the standings by sending the game to OT.
Then on Oct. 5, Branford hit the road and defeated Lauralton Hall by the final score of 3-1 to qualify for states. The next day, the Hornets hosted non-conference opponent Staples and took a 5-0 defeat.
Coach Frye noted that his team received strong contributions from senior Aleyah Bosworth, juniors Celia Shanley, Alexis Pepe, Claire Bickel, and Hailey Brunner; and freshman Julia McHenry throughout the week.
Girls’ Soccer
Branford split a pair of games against rival East Haven and then took a loss to Sacred Heart Academy last week. The Hornets are now 2-6-1 on the year.
Branford began its week by posting a 2-1 home victory over East Haven on Oct. 1. Following a scoreless first half, Branford came out storming in the second half and scored two goals to take the lead. East Haven scored a goal to cut it to 2-1, but the Hornets’ defense held the Yellowjackets off the board the rest of the way. Head Coach Jen Kohut said that junior left back Nicole Evans played a great game by moving the ball up the field to Branford’s offense. Freshman goalie Macey Girard played a solid game by making eight saves in net.
Three nights later, the Hornets faced the Yellowjackets on the road and dropped a 2-1 decision at East Haven High School. After another scoreless first half, East Haven scored the game’s first goal early in the second half. Senior Melissa Beatty tied it up for Branford, but the Yellowjackets came back by scoring the go-ahead goal just a few minutes later. Coach Kohut said that junior forward Kendall Infantino played well by creating chances up front. Girard made two key saves in net for the Hornets.
The following evening, Branford lost a 1-0 decision in a home game against Sacred Heart Academy. Girard had a big game with 10 saves for the Hornets, who saw sophomore Alayna Boileau pressure the Sacred Heart Academy defense throughout the second half.
Boys’ Soccer
Branford took its first defeat of the season by losing to Guilford last week, but came right back to notch a victory versus Notre Dame and move to 7-1-2 on the season.
On Oct. 1, the Hornets took a 4-2 road loss versus Guilford at Bittner Park. Then on Oct. 5, Branford had a road game against Notre Dame-West Haven and defeated the Green Knights by the final tally of 8-0.
Volleyball
Branford lost three contests last week and now has a record of 2-10 on the season.
On Oct. 1, the Hornets dropped a 3-1 decision at Lauralton Hall. Two days later, Branford hosted Amity and lost by a 3-0 score. In their last match of the week, the Hornets took a 3-0 defeat at SCC Hammonasset Division opponent Hand to drop to 2-3 in divisional play.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving
Branford took a 97-81 home loss to Lauralton Hall at the Walsh Intermediate Pool on Oct. 3.
Freshman Erika Barone took first place in the 50 freestyle with a time of 27.12 seconds for the Hornets. Fellow freshman Rory Jacobson won the 100 breaststroke by clocking in at 1:21.68, while junior Adrienne Dillon won the 100 backstroke in 1:08.26. Branford’s 400 freestyle relay of Barone, sophomore Melissa Juliano, junior Cordelia Keberle, and junior Gabrielle Gillis finished first with a time of 4:01.70.
Football
Branford had a bye week for Week 5. With their record of 3-1, the Hornets will get ready to host non-conference opponent Pomperaug (3-1) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12.
Boys’ Cross Country
The Hornets saw six athletes run at the Wickham Park Invitational at Wickham Park in Manchester on Oct. 6. Branford finished in 25th place in the boys’ seeded race at the meet.
Senior Matt Daley finished in 108th place in a field of 175 runners for the 5K with a time of 19 minutes and 23 seconds. Senior Andrew DeBenedictis finished in 141st place (20:21), sophomore Brendan Hynes finished in 154th (20:46), junior Chris Borst came in 155th place (20:47), junior Christian Bjork finished in 164th (21:41), and sophomore Patricio Banegas finished in 165th place (21:43) for Branford.
Branford, which has a record of 3-4 on the year, will conclude its regular season with an SCC Oronoque Division tri-meet against North Haven and Cross on Thursday, Oct. 11. The meet gets underway at 4 p.m. at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven.
Girls’ Cross Country
Branford was represented by five runners at last week’s Wickham Park Invitational.
Senior Kacey Gilman came in 74th place out of 169 runners in the girls’ seeded race by recording a time of 23 minutes and 12 seconds. Freshman Bella Finta finished in 117th place (24:13), freshman Isla Lionetti placed 127th (24:29), senior Khusbu Shresta finished 157th (26:26), and junior Juli Dillon finished in 159th place (26:47) for Branford.
The Hornets, who are 5-2 overall, will wrap up their regular season with a meet against Cross and Branford at Wilbur Cross High School at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11.