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11/03/2019 11:00 PMGirls’ Soccer
The Branford girls’ soccer team qualified for the Class L State Tournament by earning a 9-0 road win over Career-Hillhouse in its regular-season finale last week. Branford finished with a record of 5-7-4 during the regular season.
The Hornets took a 1-0 home loss against Foran in their first game of the week on Oct. 28.
Two days later, Branford punched its state tourney ticket by claiming a 9-0 victory against Career-Hillhouse in a road game at Bowen Field in New Haven. Senior Melanie Sachs and freshman Ava Ferrie netted three goals apiece to lead the Hornets to the convincing victory. Senior Julia Robbins and sophomore Zaide Schlesinger scored their first varsity goals, while senior Nicole Evans added a goal for Head Coach Jen Kohut’s club.
Branford opens the Class L State Tournament by playing a first-round game on Tuesday, Nov. 12. With a win, the Hornets would play in the second round on Thursday, Nov. 14. The quarterfinals are on Saturday, Nov. 16; the semifinals take place on either Tuesday, Nov. 19 or Wednesday, Nov. 20; and the Class L state final will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Boys’ Soccer
The Hornets split their last two games of the regular season to finish with a record of 7-7-2. Branford is competing in the Class L State Tournament beginning this week.
On Oct. 28, Branford posted a 2-0 shutout over Fairfield Prep at Fairfield University. The Hornets completed a season sweep of Prep with this victory, winning both games by 2-0 scores.
In this one, Branford scored both of its goals during the 20th minute of the game. First, junior Ralf Ciarleglio fed a breakaway pass to senior Andrew Wirtz, who slotted the ball into the lower right-hand corner of the net to give Branford a 1-0 lead. Shortly thereafter, Ciarleglio took a cross from junior Rocky Verdesoto and volleyed the ball into the lower left-hand corner of the goal to make it 2-0.
The Jesuits put a lot of pressure on Branford throughout the second half, but junior goalie Alec Aceves-Acosta put forth a superb effort by either catching or clearing everything that was thrown at him.
Then on Nov. 1, the Hornets took a 2-0 road loss against non-conference opponent Bassick in their regular-season finale. After a scoreless first half, Bassick broke through for the first goal of the game in the 63rd minute. Bassick added an insurance goal three minutes later and went on to get the 2-0 victory.
Branford will start off the Class L State Tournament by playing a first-round contest on Monday, Nov. 11. With a victory, Branford would advance to a second-round game on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The quarterfinals take place on Friday, Nov. 15; the semifinals are on either Monday, Nov. 18 or Tuesday, Nov. 19; and the Class L state championship game will be on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Field Hockey
Branford completed its regular season and then competed in the SCC Tournament last week. The Hornets notched a 3-0 victory over Mercy in the SCC quarterfinals to advance to face Amity in the semifinal round. Branford has an overall record of 11-5-0-1 on the season.
The Hornets started off their week by taking a 1-0 overtime loss against Cheshire on Oct. 29. Senior Gianna Messina made nine saves in goal for Branford. Head Coach Pete Frye said that senior Karly King, junior Jocelyn Smestad, freshman Aryana Wilson, and freshman Scout Engstrom played well to help the Hornets come away with a point via the OT defeat.
The next day, Branford hosted North Branford for a non-conference contest and took a 4-0 loss to the Thunderbirds. Messina had 13 saves in net for the Hornets, who received solid performances from King, Wilson, senior Alexis Pepe, and senior Maggie Martin.
Then on Nov. 2, the Hornets opened the SCC Tournament as the No. 3 seed and defeated No. 6 Mercy by a 3-0 score in a quarterfinal game at Branford High School. Senior Brianna Shaw, fellow senior Molly Zaffino, and Engstrom scored the goals for Branford the win. Shaw and Martin each had an assist, while Messina made one save for the shutout in goal. Coach Frye noted that King, Smestad, Pepe, Wilson, and sophomore Jocelyn Smestad made key contributions toward the Hornets’ victory.
Branford played at No. 2 seed Amity in the semifinals of the SCC Tournament on Nov. 5 (after press time). With a win, the Hornets would play the winner of top-seeded Guilford and No. 4 seed Hand in the SCC final at Guilford High School on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
After SCCs, Branford will play in the Class M State Tournament beginning with a first-round game on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The quarterfinals are on Thursday. Nov. 14; the semifinals take place on either Tuesday, Nov. 19 or Wednesday, Nov, 20; and the Class M state final is at Wethersfield High School on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Volleyball
Branford split a pair of matches last week to finish the regular season with a record of 3-15.
In their first match of the week, the Hornets took a 3-0 road loss against Hand in Madison. The following day, Branford hosted Wilbur Cross and notched a 3-0 victory over the Governors in its regular-season finale.