By Sophia Esposito
It was a busy week for the Branford High Hornets sports teams, capped off by the football team’s first victory on Friday night at home.
Boy’s Soccer vs. Hand (5-3 L): On the 17th the Boy’s soccer team took on a very important game versus Hand. The Goalie Coach, Faulkner, transitioned from coaching the Boy’s Hand team to Branford’s in a game they wished that they would come out victorious.
In the first few minutes of the first half, Hand quickly took a two goal advance on Branford. However, keeper Alec Aceves-Acosta had great saves to keep Branford in the game while Branford began scoring. Tri-captain Andrew Wirtz scored the first goal with nine minutes left of the first half for Branford, to make it 2-1 Hand at halftime.
Within the first few minutes of the second half, Ralph Ciarleglio scored the second goal to make it a tied game. Yet in the next minutes Hand scored twice, having a 4-2 lead over Branford. Wirtz once again took the ball down the field to score his second goal of the game, yet Hand overpowered, taking the game with a 5-3 win.
Girl’s Soccer vs. Hamden (4-4 T): While the boys took on Hand, the girls travelled to Hamden in a very intense game that resulted in a tie. By halftime the girls had a 3-1 lead over Hamden. Sydney Panczak started the Hornets off by scoring a free kick from 25 yards out, hitting the upper left corner of the goal. Alayna Boileau scored the second goal, followed by Melanie Sachs for the third. The keeper, Macey Girard played a strong defensive game with numerous saves that avoided a loss for Branford.
In the second half, Alayna Boileau came back strong scoring the fourth goal of the game, her second goal of the game. In the second half Hamden scored to make it a tied game. It was a difficult challenge that resulted in strength in offense and defense from both sides.
Girl’s Cross Country vs. Mercy (L): The girl’s cross country took to the road to a tough competitor Mercy, for a difficult loss for the season. The course consisted of mostly flat grass with a few jarring hills creating obstacles. Although the girl’s team had an amazing and tight, nerve racking performance, it was not enough to come out on top and defeat Mercy.
Sophomore Bella Finta took first place and sophomore Isla Lionetti passed the finish line for third place. Closely following was freshman Hannah Jackson, junior Steph Toste and senior Juli Dillon. Their next meet is on the 24th of September against another strong competitor, Cheshire.
Girls Swimming vs. West Haven (101-83 W): In a very important meet of the year for the Girl’s Swim team, the Hornets delivered victory with their strength and depth within their lineup. After a rare tie to West Haven last season, the girls were determined to not allow history to repeat itself and make up for what felt like a loss last season, with a defeat in the water this season.
With Branford’s strongest swimmers in position to take first and second place in a majority of the events, Branford had the ability to pull through in the ways needed. There were many great swims from the girls, including many best career swims for others. Tri-captain Gabby Gillis, Adrienne Dillon, Melissa Juliano, Erika Barone, and Rory Jacobson all played essential roles in securing the Hornet win. In addition, Shae Lepre, Katie Parsell and Alex Acquarulo all had significant drops in time that allowed Branford to steal points away from West Haven. In addition, Marina Giammattei took to the diving board scoring essential points for Branford.
Tri-captain Cordelia Keberle, another key aspect that contributed to the win, said after the meet, “we work hard, we swim hard everyday. It was so fulfilling to take back what we should have had last season. It is a great feeling to start of 2-0 this season, not allowing challenges from last year to follow us. It was good to feel our training pay off after the official announced the score at the end of the meet…”
The Hornets swim Guilford home on September 24th, in what should be another close and important meet.
Boy’s Soccer vs. Notre Dame (5-0 W): On Friday the 20th the boy’s soccer team headed to the busses to travel and play Notre Dame. The boys quickly gained advantage over Notre Dame, leading throughout the entirety of it.
Key players that contributed to the Hornet victory were Ralph Ciarleglio who scored two goals and one assist, Sebastian Verdesoto with an assist, and Din Durmic and Andrew Wirtz who each scored one goal.
The boys now have a record of 2-1, their next game against Amistad on Monday, the 23rd.
Girls’ Soccer vs. Shelton (4-0 W): For the girl’s home opener they defeated Shelton in a 4-0 shutout. Melanie Sachs started the Hornets off by scoring the first goal within minutes of the first half. Sydney Panczak shot and scored the second goal for the Hornets with a free kick, around 40 yards out. Panczak then later scored another goal, making it 3-0 with a Branford lead. For the fourth and final goal, Sachs kicked the ball off to Ava Ferrie, scoring, earning Sachs an assist.
The soccer team is now 2-0-1, with strong competition coming up, facing Lauralton Hall on Tuesday, September 24th.
Girl’s Field Hockey vs. Sacred Heart (5-2 W): Also on the road, the girl’s field hockey team travelled to play Sacred Heart on their grass field, an abnormality for field hockey players who are accustomed to playing on turf fields. Despite the change in playing grounds, the field hockey team did not allow for it to be a distraction, finishing the game with a 5-2 win over Sacred Heart.
Molly Zaffino had a very strong game, scoring three out of the five goals for Branford. In addition, Brianna Shaw and Scout Engstrom each scored one goal, contributing to the defeat of Sacred Heart.
Girl’s Volleyball vs. Jonathon Law (L): The girl’s volleyball team took a tough loss against Law, a very strong and successful team. The Hornets competed fiercely, for an unfortunate outcome. They will compete against Wilbur Cross on Monday, September 24th, aspiring to secure a defeat over them.
Boy’s Football vs. Stratford (39-22 W): Under the Friday night lights the Hornets came out victorious over Stratford, with a large student section cheering them on. In the opening kickoff, Kam Holmes scored for the Hornets with the first touchdown of the game. Immediately after that, the Hornets once again pushed the football into the endzone in what was one of the many touchdowns for the boys. Before the end of the first quarter, the Hornets led 21-0, with the third touchdown scored by a QB sneak by Sean Kelly, and extra points scored by kicker Jake Bodner.
The boys had a great lead over Stratford, having an 33-0 advantage by halftime. Sean Kelly scored the fourth touchdown for Branford, with great defense that caused incomplete passes from Stratford. Senior Spencer Landsbach was responsible for multiple sacks which resulted in loss of yards for Stratford.
Next Friday they take on New Fairfield, away, kickoff at 7 p.m.
