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10/04/2021 12:00 AMGirls’ Volleyball
The Branford girls’ volleyball squad improved to 7-2 this year after winning two of its three contests on last week’s schedule. The Hornets took a loss to Hand, but rebounded to get victories versus Lyman Hall and Foran while playing a trio of home matches last week.
In its first matchup of the week, Branford dropped a 3-2 (25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-15, 15-5) decision versus Hand on Sept. 27. Senior Marzia Johnson had 34 digs with one kill and five aces, while junior Allie Bietz handed out 23 assists to go with five aces, two digs, and one block. Senior Lily Stockwell recorded 14 digs with five kills and three aces for Branford. Junior Paige Kelly had six kills and three blocks.
Two days later, the Hornets netted a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-20) win against Lyman Hall. Johnson posted 19 digs with two kills and six aces in the victory. Bietz had 13 assists, two digs, one block, and three aces.
Branford finished its week by earning a 3-1 (18-25, 25-24, 25-12, 25-21) win over Foran in another home match on Oct. 1. Bietz had 34 assists with eight digs, one block, and four aces for the Hornets. Johnson had 34 digs with two kills, Kelly recorded 14 kills and five blocks, Stockwell had nine digs with seven kills and five aces, and sophomore Maddie Lawler had six kills with one block and five aces.
Field Hockey
The Branford field hockey team played three games last week and wound up earning 1-0 victories in all three matchups to improve to 5-2-0-1 on the season. The Hornets posted one-goal wins over Hand, Sheehan, and Newtown in last week’s action.
Branford kicked off its week by claiming a 1-0 home victory against Hand on Sept. 28. Junior Scout Engstrom scored the lone goal of the game on an assist from senior Nora Longway off a penalty corner at the 5:29 mark of the fourth quarter. Senior goalie Nina Shamas made two saves to get the shutout for Branford.
Head Coach Pete Frye noted that the Hornets received excellent performances from senior Julia McHenry; juniors Aryana Wilson, Gianna Bozzi, Lauren McCarthy, and Lauren Kendrick; and sophomores Mia d’Amuri, Reanna Sachs, and Ellie Wieland in the victory.
Two days later, Branford played a road game against Sheehan and blanked the Titans by a 1-0 final. Engstrom’s goal at the 9:26 mark of the second quarter held up as the difference in the victory. Shamas had two saves for another shutout.
Then on Oct. 2, Branford earned a 1-0 win at Newtown in a non-conference road game. Longway netted a goal at the 9:20 mark of the first quarter to give the Hornets the only score they would need. Shamas made one save in goal for Branford.
Boys’ Cross Country
The Branford boys’ cross country squad earned runner-up honors when the team competed at the SCC Oronoque Division Championship last week. The Hornets scored 33 points to finish behind Wilbur Cross (23) and ahead of North Haven (78) on their way to taking second place at the Guilford Fairgrounds on Oct. 2.
Senior Wes Raymond came in third place for the three-mile race by running a time of 17:12.90 for Branford. Fellow senior Peyton Moriarty finished in fourth place with a mark of 17:18.10. Senior Pat Zdunek finished in sixth place (17:37.20), junior Massimo Corrick took ninth place (18:15.30), and sophomore Sam Coppola finished in 11th place (18:29.30) at the meet. Sophomore Dom Zdunek finished in 12th place (18:37.30), and junior Colin Donahoe finished in 13th place (18:51.10).
Girls’ Cross Country
The Branford girls’ cross country team was represented by four runners when the SCC Oronoque Division Championship took place at the Guilford Fairgrounds on Oct. 2.
Junior Hannah Jackson turned in the top performance for the Hornets by taking fourth place with a time of 22:20.80. Senior Bella Finta finished in seventh place by hitting the finish line in 23:24.70. Junior Taylor Tracy came in 15th place (26:21.10), while freshman Ella Stone finished 16th (26:35.80) for Branford.
Football
The Branford football team ran its record to 3-1 on the season after handily defeating Bethel in a home game last week. The Hornets hosted Bethel for a non-conference contest on Oct. 1 and routed the Wildcats by the final score of 35-7 to put their third-straight victory in the books.
Branford will have a bye week this week. The Hornets return to the gridiron for a home game versus Lyman Hall on Friday, Oct. 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Branford High School.
Girls’ Soccer
The Branford girls’ soccer squad moved to 5-2-1 on the year after gaining a split of two road games last week. The Hornets defeated North Haven and then lost to Foran in their recent contests.
In its first game of the week, Branford notched a 3-1 road victory against North Haven on Sept. 28. Sophomore Brenna Murphy headed home the first goal of the game off a corner kick taken by junior Ava Ferrie. Sophomore Maddie Resendes netted the next goal for Branford off another corner taken by Ava Ferrie. Sophomore Lucy Moran scored the Hornets’ final goal from a cross by sophomore Tess Ferrie. Senior goalie Macey Girard made four saves in the win.
Two days later, the Hornets traveled to Milford to face Foran and were edged out by the final score of 2-1. Branford struck first with a goal by Tess Ferrie that was assisted by her sister Ava. Foran tied the game by converting a penalty kick a few minutes later and then took the lead by scoring a goal during the second half.
Boys’ Soccer
The Branford boys’ soccer squad took two home losses last week and is now 1-5-1 this season.
On Sept. 29, Branford took a 3-0 defeat against Shelton in a home game. Then on Oct. 1, the Hornets hosted Fairfield Prep and lost the contest by a 5-0 score at Branford High School.