By Sophia Esposito
Boy’s and Girl’s Soccer, Field hockey, and Girl’s Swimming all earn themselves enough wins or individual bests to qualify for states or to advance/participate in their next round of SCC’s..
Boy’s Soccer vs. Shelton(2-1 L): To start off the week for the Hornets, the boys suffered a bitter defeat against Shelton, yet in a game that was well played and with much heart.
Branford scored the first goal of the game from junior Ralph Ciarleglio. The boys were able to hold their lead til late in the first half when Shelton scored their first goal, and another in the second defeating the Hornets.
Girl’s Soccer vs. Sheehan(4-1 L): Against a tough competitor for the girls, it resulted in a defeat for the Hornets.
Scoring for Branford was senior Melanie Sachs who was assisted by junior Alayna Boileau. Sachs scored the goal by taking a touch around the defender into the 18, taking the shot into the bottom right corner and scoring.
Additionally, the girls had tied to Lyman Hall 3-3 in the day before.
Girl’s Swim vs. North Haven(L): On the girl’s senior night they took against one of the toughest competitors of the season, ending in a loss.
Despite the defeat many girls continue to earn themselves best times as well as qualifying for states and or SCC’s. Junior Delaney Cotter got a best time in the 500 free, junior Annie Dendas in the 100 fly, senior Alex Acquarulo, sophomore Mareyna McCaughtry in the 100 free and diver and sophomore Marina Giammatei produced for Branford on the board.
Field Hockey vs. Lyman Hall(9-0 W): On the girl’s senior night they took to the turf ready to win, earning themselves a victory and shutout over Lyman Hall.
Senior Brianna Shaw had three goals, senior Gianna Benni had one, freshman Scout Engstrom had one, two from senior Molly Zaffino, and one each from seniors Madison Acquarulo and Hailey Brunner.
Field Hockey vs. Hand(2-0 W): On Hand’s senior night, the girls earned themselves yet another victory, defeating Hand for the first time in many seasons.
Aiding the victory was Senior Brianna Shaw and sophomore Julia McHenry who each scored one goal for the Hornets.
Girl’s Swim vs. Hand(L): In the last meet for the girls, they swam a strong team and suffered a defeat, finishing their season 4-6.
Many girls got best times, like juniors Katie Parsell and Melissa Juliano, and McCaughtry in the 200 IM. Senior Gabby Gillis also got best times in the 50 and 100 free, along with Cotter in the 500 free. Next for the Hornets they will train individually for SCC’s and States, beginning to taper for better and faster results.
Football vs. Joel Barlow(L): For the first home game in several weeks, the Hornets were greeted by a student section to cheer them on. Despite the crowd, the boys were not able to come out victorious, taking a defeat against Joel Barlow.
Boy’s Soccer vs Amity(2-2 T): On Saturday the boys were able to come back from a 2-0 disadvantage to end the game resulting in a tie, for their senior day.
In the beginning of the second half, Ciarleglio scored a free kick for Branford’s first goal to make the score 2-1. After going back and forth for a majority of the second half, with 10 minutes left, senior Cody McCarns passed the ball down the middle between two defenders to sophomore Dimitrios Gionteris who scored and tied the game 2-2. Taking the ball back down, Amity shot right after and missed right of the goal post and was kicked out. Thanks to high energy and saves from keeper and sophomore Alec Aceves-Acosta, the boys were able to keep the game at a tie for the last minutes of the game.
Field Hockey vs. Mercy(2-1 W): In a nerve wracking game, the girls were able to beat Mercy by just one goal in overtime. Branford and Mercy went back and forth on the field for the entirety of the game, not allowing one another to score.
Yet, in over time, Shaw dribbled from the 40yard line to the goalie, shot and slipped it into the goal in between the goalie’s pads. Shaw had both goals for the game, being a key aspect to the victory.
Girl’s Volleyball: For the week, the girls suffered defeats in against Lyman Hall, Hamden, and Mercy. Against Lyman Hall the girls started off early, winning the first set yet losing the next two. Against Hamden scoring went back and forth very closely, yet Hamden was able to come out victorious in the end. Mercy won all three sets against Branford.
