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10/26/2020 12:00 AMBoys’ Soccer
The Branford boys’ soccer squad earned a tie with Wilbur Cross and then lost to Daniel Hand while playing a pair of home games last week. Head Coach Paul Hunter’s club now stands with a record of 3-2-1 on the campaign.
On Oct. 20, the Hornets hosted Wilbur Cross and played the Governors to a 2-2 draw at Branford High School. Branford took a 1-0 lead when senior Mykael Zuniga Cordova scored on an assist from fellow senior Ralf Ciarleglio in the 32nd minute of the game. Cross was able to equalize in the 52nd minute, but the Hornets went up 2-1 when senior Din Durmic headed home a free kick off the foot of senior Rocky Verdesoto.
In the 73rd minute of the game, Branford committed a turnover at midfield that led to a counterattack by Cross. The Hornets then committed a foul in the box that resulted in a penalty kick for the Governors, who tied the game by converting the PK. Ultimately, Branford and Cross finished in a 2-2 stalemate.
Three days later, Branford hosted Hand and dropped a 5-2 decision versus the Tigers. After trailing 3-0 at halftime, the Hornets got on the board just 10 seconds into the second stanza when junior Justin Acquarulo pounced on deflected shot by junior Sebastian Verdesoto and sent it into the back of the net to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Hand went up 4-1 with a goal in the 54th minute, but Branford made it 4-2 when Ciarleglio scored after corralling a long ball from Rocky Verdesoto just two minutes later. In the 61st minute, Hand was awarded a penalty kick and scored on it to take a 5-2 advantage.
Girls’ Soccer
The Branford girls’ soccer team hit the pitch to play two games last week. The Hornets came away with a tie against Guilford before taking a loss against Hand to move to 3-1-1 this season.
Branford started off its week by battling Guilford to a 0-0 tie in a home game on Oct. 19. Then on Oct. 23, the Hornets lost to Daniel Hand by a 2-1 score in road game at Strong Field in Madison.
Girls’ Volleyball
The Branford girls’ volleyball team moved to 1-4 on the year after losing a pair of recent home matchups.
On Oct. 20, Branford took a 3-0 home loss to Jonathan Law. Three days later, the Hornets hosted Foran and took a 3-1 defeat at Branford High School.
Girls’ Cross Country
The Branford girls’ cross country team earned a split of a tri-meet at the East River Preserve in Guilford on Oct. 21. Branford edged out Sheehan by a 27-28 score and also took a 15-50 loss against Guilford to move to 3-4 this fall.
Junior Isla Lionetti finished in 11th place by running a time of 21 minutes and 22 seconds for the Hornets in the meet. Sophomore Hannah Jackson came in 12th place (21:32), while junior Bella Finta took 13th place (21:43) for Branford. Senior Steph Toste finished in 15th place (23:50), sophomore Marina Smiarowski finished 16th (24:43), and sophomore Taylor Tracy came in 20th place (28:51) for Head Coach Kevin Connell’s team.
Boys’ Cross Country
The Branford boys’ cross country squad ran against Guilford and Sheehan last week and came away from the meet with a split. The Hornets now stand at 2-5 on the season after defeating Sheehan (25-36) and losing to Guilford (15-48) at the East River Preserve on Oct. 21.
Junior Wes Raymond led the Branford pack by taking eighth place with a time of 18 minutes and 51 seconds at the meet. Junior Pat Zdunek finished in 13th place at 19:42, and senior Brennan Hynes took 15th place with a mark of 19:51. Sophomore Massimo Corrick finished in 18th place (20:04), freshman Dom Zdunek came in 19th place (20:08), freshman Sam Coppola placed 20th (20:10), and senior Patricio Banegas finished in 21st (20:14) for the Hornets.