Printer Friendly Version - Branford Girls’ Lax Laboring With Desire to Succeed

Senior captain Ellie Galdenzi and the Branford girls’ lacrosse team are improving and developing on a daily basis as the Hornets look to return to the postseason party. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

Jenny Spencer, a senior attacker and captain for the Branford girls’ lacrosse team, is aiding the Hornets in their quest to better themselves while taking on top SCC adversaries. Photo by Kelley Fryer/The Sound

A record often does not tell the full story underneath when it comes to detailing a team’s full drive, diligence, and dedication–such is the case for the Branford girls’ lacrosse team, as the Hornets’ book for the 2023 campaign cannot be judged by the cover of their place in the standings.

In 2022, Branford defeated E.O. Smith in the qualifying round of the Class M State Tournament before taking a loss against Sheehan in a first-round game. The Hornets finished with an overall record of 7-10 for their run. No. 20 seed Branford began the Class M State Tournament by posting a 16-11 road victory over No. 13 E.O. Smith in a qualifying-round contest. Then three days later, the Hornets faced No. 4 Sheehan on the road in the first round of the bracket and were edged out by the final score of 11-10.

Head Coach Caitlin O’Brien and Branford played to a 2-4 record through their first half dozen tilts, taking on fierce in-conference competition in SCC heavyweights of two-time reigning league and Class M state-champion Guilford, Hand, and Sacred Heart Academy while scoring victories over Lyman Hall and Sheehan. Last week, following a 12-8 home loss to Staples on April 22, the Hornets bounced back with a 12-11 triumph over Lauralton Hall on April 24. Then facing Waterford on April 27, Branford scored another win with a 16-10 final. Finally, against East Lyme on April 29, the Hornets fell 17-5 to bring their overall record to 4-6 through 10 contests.

O’Brien explained that while the Hornets may have seen some setbacks early on, it is certainly not for lack of effort, either individually or collectively as a club, or fear of playing the best adversaries their league has to offer.

“We have played a really tough schedule so far, but the girls have shown determination, dedication, and passion to the team and sport,” said O’Brien. “Every day each girl is getting 1% better, and it is not going unnoticed. Myself and the coaching staff are proud of how the girls have performed so far and we are excited to see how each girl continues to grow and develop throughout the rest of the season.”

The Hornets are led into action this spring by three captivating captains on offense, defense, and in the cage. Senior Jenny Spencer is on the attack for Branford, while junior Kaylee Tracy counters on defense, and senior Ellie Galdenzi is in goal as netminder. Each member of this terrific trio brings its own unique talent with the common denominator of serving up team synergy.

“Jenny is a leader, hard worker, and supporter who inspires and represents each member of the team fairly and consistently. She is able to guide the team in the right direction,” said O’Brien. “Ellie is caring, courageous, and consistent. She is someone that everyone respects and can trust. She so effortlessly maintains control in pressurized situations and is able to model excellence to her teammates. Kaylee possesses self-awareness, focuses on relationships and team-building, she models leadership, sportsmanship, and is a role model to many of the underclassmen.”

With the junior class, Branford boasts a solid tandem of attacker Ally Colburn and midfielder Raiyn Fries, who showcase scoring prowess and versatility. Additionally, a fresh triumvirate of freshmen in Clara d’Amuri and Giuliana Barros in the midfield with Aliza Giordano on attack are also great utility players with a diverse skill set.

“Both Ally and Raiyn are aggressive and players that we look for to score goals. Ally’s drives are almost impossible to stop, and Raiyn is a triple threat and can be seen shining all over the field in each position,” said O’Brien. “All three [d’Amuri, Barros, and Giordano] are a triple threat. Their lacrosse IQ and passion for the game is incredible. They make what they are doing look easy and are girls we can count on in a clutch.”

O’Brien noted that when it comes to pivotal clashes in the back half of the regular season, she is eager for a road rematch against Sacred Heart Academy on May 1 after the Sharks edged out the Hornets by a goal earlier this campaign.

“Every game we play is a key game and important,” said O’Brien. “We are really excited to be able to play Sacred Heart again and get another chance to come home with a win.”

As Branford continues to brace towards constructing a complete game with consistency while the calendar turns to May, the Hornets are additionally looking to savor the small steps along the way towards constructing a successful product and well-rounded group of girls.

“We are looking to play full 60-minute games, playing with heart, passion, and giving 110% effort,” said O’Brien. “Team goals are usually championship driven. This year we are focusing on putting the little things together, [such as] getting to know one another as a player and working as one. We foster the appreciation of the value of winning and losing and their related consequences, while also recognizing and affirming the growth and development of each girl on the team.”

The Branford girls’ lacrosse team roster for 2023 is comprised of seniors Galdenzi, Spencer, Olivia Tripp, Aryana Wilson; juniors of Colburn, Stella DiMassa, Fries, Brenna Murphy, Tracy; sophomores in Skylar Dunn, Riley O’Brien, Sophie Santos; and finally freshmen with Barros, d’Amuri, Saige Fries, Giordano, Dylan Hall, Siara Humphries, Madison Polce, Summer Sabatino, and Kamryn Stackpole.

O’Brien is back for her second year as bench boss for the Hornets. She is accompanied on the sidelines by assistant coaches Joe Alessi (in his 11th spring with the program) and now three-year veteran Haylee Molloy.