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07/08/2019 12:00 AMThe Branford boys’ lacrosse team put together a quality season in 2019. The Hornets recorded double-digit victories for the third year in a row on their way to finishing with an overall record of 11-7 this spring. Branford also qualified for the Southern Connecticut Conference Tournament for the first time since 2011, in addition to securing a berth in the Class M State Tournament for the fifth straight campaign. Several athletes on Head Coach Jim May’s squad received awards in recognition of their performances throughout the year.
“Our program is based on effort and discipline on and off the field. We as coaches are trying to make our players the best self-directed leaders we can,” Coach May said. “At the end of the day, it’s not about lacrosse. We remind our guys of this daily.”
Branford went 11-5 in the regular season this season, qualifying for states with a 16-7 home victory versus Foran on April 29. Among the Hornets’ notable victories during regular-season action were a 10-6 win at Morgan, a 10-9 victory at Sheehan, a 17-4 home win over North Branford, and an 18-8 road victory against Old Lyme.
The Hornets entered the SCC Tournament as the No. 6 seed and lost a 14-8 contest at No. 3 seed Sheehan in the quarterfinal round. In the Class M State Tournament, Branford was the No. 7 seed and took a 13-6 defeat against No. 10 seed Notre Dame-West Haven in a first-round home game. The No. 7 slot was Branford’s highest seed in the state tourney during the past five years.
Branford was led by senior captains Robbie Lionetti, Mike Parker, Will Riggs, and Anders Brown in the 2019 season. Lionetti finished his storybook career with the Hornets by having a sensational campaign that saw him score 97 goals to go with 24 assists. Lionetti was one of just 17 players in Connecticut who was selected to the All-American Team for boys’ lacrosse this year. He also earned All-SCC and All-State First Team honors to go with a spot on the New Haven Register All-Area Team. On top of that, Lionetti garnered Academic All-State recognition and was named Branford’s Most Valuable Player.
Parker earned a spot on the All-SCC Second Team and also made the All-State Second Team for Branford. Parker was also presented with the Hornet Award as someone who “bleeds red and white, is a self-directed leader, and has pride and determination,” according to Coach May.
Fellow senior captains Riggs and Brown were both recipients of Branford’s Sportsmanship Award. Riggs finished the season with 15 goals and 15 assists, while Brown scored one goal and had three assists.
Junior Aiden MacNeil was named the Top Defensive Player for the Hornets. MacNeil also had one goal with six assists on the year. Junior Jack Manware had a big season by netting 56 goals and handing out 31 assists. As a result, Manware won Branford’s Top Offensive Player Award.
Manware’s brother, fellow junior Max Manware, was presented with the Hustle Award. Manware finished the campaign with 11 goals and 14 assists. Sophomore Nick Chieffo (2 goals, 3 assists) also received the Hustle Award on behalf of Coach May’s club.
Senior Gunnar Hanson and freshman Cam Paleski were co-recipients of the Most Improved Player Award for Branford. Hanson was also just one of 17 boys’ lacrosse players in the state to earn Academic All-American distinction. Paleski scored two goals during his rookie season.
Branford was also bolstered by the strong play of three goalkeepers in 2019. Freshman Aidan Strebel earned the starting job and finished the year with 167 saves. Sophomores Josh Gottschalk and Connor Erickson both played well in reserve for the Hornets.
Coach May’s coaching staff featured assistant coaches Frank Barron, Joe O’Keefe, and Mike D’Amico. O’Keefe was named the Class M Assistant Coach of the Year.