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09/27/2021 12:00 AMFootball
The Branford football team hosted Notre Dame-West Haven for an SCC showdown on Sept. 24. The Hornets claimed a 15-12 victory against the Green Knights in a nail-biter at Branford High School to improve 2-1 on the year.
Branford trailed Notre Dame 12-7 at halftime. Senior Cam Paleski scored the Hornets’ first touchdown on a 1-yard rush during the second quarter.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Branford scored the go-ahead touchdown when junior quarterback Zachary Turbert found senior David McDonald for a 57-yard strike midway through the fourth. Turbert then tossed the 2-point conversion to senior John Frawley to give the Hornets a 15-12 lead.
On Notre Dame’s next drive, sophomore Nathan Florio sacked the Green Knights’ quarterback and forced a fumble that was recovered by Paleski. Notre Dame was still able to get the ball back for one last drive in the closing minutes. On the final play of the game, with nine seconds left from the Branford 23-yard line, Notre Dame’s quarterback completed a pass and the receiver was headed for the Hornets’ end zone. However, Frawley pushed him out of bounds just in the nick of time at the 1-yard line to secure the three-point victory in dramatic fashion.
Branford’s next game is at home against non-conference opponent Bethel on Friday. Oct. 1. The contest kicks off at 7 p.m. at Branford High School.
Boys’ Cross Country
The Branford boys’ cross country team swept another quad-meet to improve its overall record to 6-0 in the 2021 season. The Hornets earned home wins versus Lyman Hall, Notre Dame-West Haven, and Hillhouse at the Supply Pond on Sept. 21.
Branford posted a total of 31 points on its way to defeating Notre Dame-West Haven (37), Lyman Hall (106), and Hillhouse (no team score). Senior Wes Raymond finished in first place by crossing the finish line in 17:40 for the Hornets. Fellow senior Peyton Moriarty took second place with a time of 17:51. Senior Pat Zdunek finished in seventh place (18:46), junior Massimo Corrick came in 10th place (19:19), and sophomore Dom Zdunek finished in 11th place (19:48).
Girls’ Cross Country
The Branford girls’ cross country squad went up against three teams in a home meet at the Supply Pond on Sept 21. The Hornets took losses to Lyman Hall and Sacred Heart Academy and also earned a win over Hillhouse to move to 1-5 on the year.
The Hornets finished with a team score of 76 points to defeat Hillhouse (91) and drop contests versus Sacred Heart Academy (25) and Lyman Hall (56). Freshman Peyton Gaudreau led the pack for Branford by claiming sixth place with a time of 23:18. Junior Hannah Jackson was next in line by taking seventh place at 23:44. Senior Bella Finta finished in 19th (26:34), junior Taylor Tracy took 23rd place (27:45), and senior Julia Duffy finished in 24th place (27:52).
Girls’ Volleyball
The Branford girls’ volleyball squad continued its winning ways by notching two more victories last week. The Hornets won a five-setter against Shelton before shutting out Wilbur Cross to improve to 5-1 this year.
Branford claimed a 3-2 road victory over Shelton on Sept. 20, winning the match by the final tally of 25-19, 25-19, 15-25, 25-27, 15-3. Senior Marzia Johnson posted 40 digs to go with five kills and four aces for the Hornets. Junior Allie Bietz had 29 assists with 13 digs and four aces, while sophomore Jenna DeFrancesco recorded 10 digs, six aces, five kills, and five blocks. Senior Lily Stockwell had 13 digs with nine kills and two aces, and junior Paige Kelly recorded 15 kills with four aces.
Then on Sept. 25, Branford was on the road to face Wilbur Cross and prevailed by the final score of 3-1. Johnson had 28 digs and three kills, Bietz recorded 16 assists with seven digs, five aces, and one block; Stockwell had 19 digs, eight aces, and five kills; and sophomore Maddie Lawler had five aces.
Field Hockey
The Branford field hockey squad stands at 2-2-0-1 this season after splitting a pair of road games last week. The Hornets notched a shutout versus Hamden and then took a loss to Cheshire in last week’s contests.
Branford was on the road to face Hamden on Sept. 21 and blanked the Green Dragons by a 5-0 score. Senior Julia McHenry scored three goals for the Hornets in the victory.
Sophomore Mia d’Amuri scored the first goal of the game from juniors Lauren Kendrick and Gianna Bozzi during the second quarter to give Branford a 1-0 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, McHenry scored on an assist by junior Scout Engstrom to make it 2-0 and then netted a goal from Kendrick for a 3-0 advantage.
Engstrom scored an unassisted goal to put the Hornets up 4-0 through three quarters. McHenry finished off the hat trick by scoring her third goal of the game on an assist from Engstrom in the fourth quarter, capping a 5-0 victory for Branford.
Senior goalie Nina Shamas made one save to get the shutout. Head Coach Pete Frye also noted that the Hornets received outstanding showings from seniors Katie Laska, Nora Longway, and Cat Brown; juniors Aryana Wilson and Lauren McCarthy; and sophomore Renna Sachs.
Two days later, the Hornets played a road game against Cheshire and took a 3-1 defeat. Kendrick scored Branford’s lone goal of the game. Shamas made three saves in net for the Hornets, who received excellent performances from several players, including sophomore Ellie Wieland, in the loss.
Boys’ Soccer
The Branford boys’ soccer team took a pair of one-goal losses last week and is now 1-3-1 on the season. The Hornets lost close contests versus Jonathan Law and Guilford in their recent matchups.
On Sept. 21, the Hornets hosted Law and dropped a 1-0 decision at Branford High School. Two days later, Branford played a road game versus Guilford and lost to the Grizzlies by that same 1-0 score.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving
The Branford girls’ swimming and diving team moved to 0-4 after losing two meets last week.
On Sept. 20, Branford had a road meet against Hand and lost to the Tigers by the final score of 67-59. Senior Erika Barone claimed first place in the 50 freestyle (28.51) and the 100 freestyle (1:02.60) for the Hornets.
Then Sept. 24, Branford had a road meet versus North Haven and took an 82-59 defeat.