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10/21/2018 12:00 AMBoys’ Soccer
The Branford boys’ soccer team played three recent games in SCC Oronoque Division action and won two of three to improve to 9-3-2 entering the last week of the regular season. The Hornets started off the week with a loss to Cheshire, but rebounded by notching shutouts versus fellow divisional opponents Lyman Hall and East Haven. The Hornets finished with a record of 4-2-2 in the Oronoque Division this year.
Branford began last week by dropping a 5-0 decision in Cheshire on Oct. 15. Two days later, the Hornets hosted Lyman Hall and captured a 4-0 victory. Branford had previously played Lyman Hall to 4-4 tie in Wallingford on Sept. 22. Branford closed out its week by recording a 7-0 shutout at East Haven to on Oct. 19 to complete a season sweep of the Yellowjackets.
Head Coach Paul Hunter said that injuries and illnesses have depleted the Hornets’ depth this season, but added that the athletes who are being asked to step up and fill in are doing a good job for Branford. Senior captain Marzio Mastroianni led Branford’s attack last week by netting five goals between the team’s three games. Sophomore Ralf Ciarleglio contributed with three goals on the week for the Hornets. Senior Ben DeMaio led Branford with three assists during the week, while fellow senior Abdalla Syed had a pair of assists for the Hornets. Branford will be competing in the postseason following the conclusion of the regular season this week.
Girls’ Soccer
The Hornets had three contests on last week’s schedule and came away with one victory to move to 4-9-1 with two games remaining in the regular season. Branford took losses to Cross and Lauralton Hall, before finishing its week with a victory versus Lyman Hall.
On Oct. 15, Branford hosted Cross and took a 3-0 defeat in an SCC Housatonic division game.
Two days later, the Hornets dropped a 1-0 decision at Lauralton Hall in another divisional contest to finish with a record of 2-3-1 in Housatonic play this year. Head Coach Jen Kohut said that junior Sydney Panczak played a solid game in the back and added that freshman Macey Girard stayed strong in goal by making 10 saves.
Branford finished off its week by claiming a 3-1 home victory over Lyman Hall on Oct. 19. Freshman Kendall Infantino knocked two goals into the back of the net for the Hornets, who also saw sophomore Alayna Boileau net a goal in the game. Girard played well in net by coming up with three saves to help Branford get the win.
Volleyball
Branford took losses against Lyman Hall and Cheshire to go with a victory versus Amistad last week. The Hornets have a record of 5-12 entering the final week of the regular season.
Branford began last week by losing a 3-1 decision at Lyman Hall in an SCC Hammonasset Division match on Oct. 15. The next day, the Hornets hosted Amistad and earned a 3-0 victory in a non-conference contest. Then on Oct. 19, Branford took a 3-0 home defeat against Hammonasset opponent Cheshire to finish with a record of 3-5 in divisional play this year.
Football
Branford was on the road to face Law for an SCC Tier 3 clash in Milford on Oct. 19. The Hornets took a 35-6 defeat against the Lawmen to drop to 4-2 overall with a record of 1-1 in SCC Tier 3. Law improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Tier 3 with the win.
Law scored on a 48-yard touchdown run, a 1-yard TD run, and a 20-yard touchdown pass to take a 21-0 lead over Branford after the first quarter. With a 21-0 halftime advantage, Law scored TD rushes of 10 and 2 yards in the third quarter to make it 35-0 heading into the fourth. Junior Sean Kelly tossed a 6-yard TD pass to sophomore Kamryn Holmes for Branford in the fourth quarter for the 35-6 final.
Holmes gained 35 yards on the ground and also had five receptions for 47 yards for the Hornets. Junior Aiden MacNeil had five catches for 89 yards, senior captain Jackson Seward caught three passes for 52 yards, and senior Rob Lionetti grabbed a 33-yard reception in the loss. Kelly completed 17 of his 34 passes for 241 yards. Holmes also snagged an interception on defense for Branford. MacNeil made 10 tackles to lead the Hornets in that department.
Branford’s next game will take place at SCC Tier 2 opponent Amity (4-2) in Woodbridge at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26.
Field Hockey
Branford dropped decisions to Guilford and Hand last week. The Hornets now have a record of 8-4-2-1 entering the final week of the regular season.
Branford started off last week with a road game versus Guilford and lost a 3-0 contest on Oct. 16. Guilford held a 1-0 lead at halftime and then added two goals in the second half on its way to the victory. Junior Gianna Messina made 15 saves in goal for the Hornets. Head Coach Pete Frye said that Branford received great contributions from seniors Carly Shea and Liante Claude, as well as juniors Maggie Martin and Karly King, in the game.
Three days later, Branford took a 4-1 defeat against Hand in a home game. The Tigers scored three goals in the first half for a 3-0 halftime advantage on their way to the victory. Martin scored a goal during the second half for the Hornets. Messina made 11 saves for Branford in the game. Coach Frye said the Hornets saw solid play from senior Aleyah Bosworth, juniors Hailey Brunner and Brianna Shaw, and freshman Julia McHenry, along with Claude and King, in the contest.
Boys’ Cross Country
Branford came in 15th place out of 19 teams at the SCC Championship meet that took place at East Shore Park in New Haven on Oct. 19.
Senior Matt Daley turned in Branford’s top showing by taking 55th place out of 128 runners with a time of 18 minutes and 23 seconds on the 5K course. Senior Andrew DeBenedictis came in 75th place by running a time of 19 minutes flat at the meet. Junior Andrew Betzig finished 89th with a mark of 19:27, sophomore Brennan Hynes finished 97th with a time of 19:52, and freshman Wyatt Reynolds came in 107th place at 20:42 for the Hornets. Freshman Patrick Zdunek finished in 109th with a time of 20:49, while junior Christian Bjork came in 112th place by running a time of 21 minutes even.
Branford, which went 3-6 during the regular season, will compete at the Class MM State Championship at Wickham Park in Manchester at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27.
Girls’ Cross Country
Freshman Bella Finta led the Hornets by finishing in 29th place at last week’s SCC Championship. Branford came in 14th place out of 18 teams at the SCC meet, which was held at East Shore Park in New Haven on Oct. 19.
Finta ran a time of 21 minutes and 50 seconds to take 29th out of 122 competitors for the 5K at the SCC Championship. Senior Kacey Gilman finished 49th with a time of 22:49, while freshman Isla Lionetti came in 68th place by clocking in at 23:24 for Branford. Junior Juli Dillon placed 90th by running a time of 24:50, and senior Khusbu Shrestha finished in 101st with a mark of 25:30.
The Hornets, who went 6-3 for the regular season, will be running in the Class MM State Championship on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 3:40 p.m. at Wickham Park in Manchester.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving
Branford lost a 96-80 road contest against North Haven at Gawrych Town Pool on Oct. 16.
Junior Adrienne Dillon took first place in the 100 backstroke by swimming a time of 1:09.45 for Branford at the meet. Senior Chloe Parsell finished first in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:32.12. The Hornets’ 200 freestyle relay of junior Alexandra Acquarulo, sophomore Katherine Parsell, senior Serena Sachs, and sophomore Nicola Colossale claimed first place by recording a time of 2:08.91. Branford’s 400 freestyle relay team of Colossale, junior Cordelia Keberle, freshman Rory Jacobson, and junior Gabrielle Gillis finished first with a mark of 4:23.04.
With the regular season complete, Branford now prepares to compete in the postseason, beginning with the SCC Championship. The SCC Diving Championship takes place at Sheehan High School at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. The SCC Swimming Qualifier will be held at the Cheshire Community Pool at 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29. The SCC Swimming Championship is at Southern Connecticut State University on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. Two weeks after SCCs, the Hornets will be competing in the Class M State Championship.