After reaching the final of the SCC Division B Tournament last season, the Branford girls’ soccer team returned the bulk of its roster for the 2021 campaign. With the Hornets out to a 4-1-1 start, Head Coach Jen Kohut said that this year’s club is determined to make another deep postseason run.

Branford had three games on its schedule last week and emerged victorious from all three matchups. The Hornets defeated Hand (2-1), Career-Hillhouse (10-0), and Jonathan Law (4-0) in recent action.

On Sept. 21, Branford claimed a 2-1 road win over Hand at the Surf Club in Madison. Junior Ava Ferrie and sophomore Tess Ferrie both scored goals for the Hornets, while senior captain Kendall Infantino and sophomore Joelle Budz each had an assist. Senior captain goalkeeper Macey Girard made six saves in the win.

“That game with Hand was huge. To go there and beat them was fantastic,” Coach Kohut said. “We had done a few things strategically, moved things around, and made adjustments during the game. It was hard to pick a player of the game, because it was such a total team effort. My players were tired the next day. Most played the full 80 minutes. It was a very physical game.”

The Hornets returned home to host Career-Hillhouse on Sept. 23 and posted a 10-0 shutout at Branford High School. Freshman Bryce Infantino scored two goals for Branford. Ava Ferrie, Tess Ferrie, Kendall Infantinio, junior Samantha Stroka, sophomore Lucy Moran, sophomore Raiyn Fries, freshman Katherine Harmon, and freshman Charlotte Green added one goal apiece.

Branford finished its week by earning a 4-0 home win against Jonathan Law on Sept. 25. Bryce Infantino netted a pair of goals for the Hornets, and each of the Ferrie sisters scored one goal. Ava Ferrie contributed two assists, while Tess Ferrie and Moran both had one helper.

Coach Kohut feels that the Hornets’ camaraderie has been the biggest strength to their successful run to start the season. Kohut said that Branford always has high-intensity practices where every player competes hard as they try to make both themselves and their teammates better.

“The camaraderie is up there. Their biggest asset is their competitiveness,” said Kohut. “No matter what drill we do, they’re never backing off and always competing. They’re trying to make each other better.”

Kendall Infantino, a center back, and goalie Girard are serving as Branford’s senior captains after holding that role as juniors last year. Coach Kohut said that both captains are determined athletes who are igniting the Hornets’ competitive demeanor.

“They’re both very driven players. They both want to play in college. They’re excellent leaders for the example they set on the field,” Kohut said. “They work extremely hard, they never take a play off, and they push those around them to be better. Our practices were pretty intense. That competitive nature starts with these two and filters down.”

Kendall Infantino and Ava Ferrie each made All-State last year. Coach Kohut said that both the Ferrie and Infantino sisters have all proved crucial to the team’s offensive success this season. Kohut is also pleased with the development of the Hornets’ sophomore class, noting Moran, who plays on the wing; Budz, who plays forward; and defenders Emma O’Connor, Sophia Mioline, and Madeline Resendes as sophomores who have stepped up thus far. Branford’s coach added that senior Alja Mehmedovic is playing a key role on defense.

As the Hornets look to continue their winning ways, Coach Kohut said that they are emphasizing communication on the field. Kohut believes that Branford will continually get better as that aspect is ironed out.

Branford has set team goals of winning SCC and state titles this fall. Before the season, Kohut and her coaching staff also had every player make their own personal goals with a plan to achieve them. Kohut knows that the Hornets must remember those objectives and work together to reach them in order for the team to be successful.

“We have them set goals at the beginning of the season. Everyone was on board that we wanted to win the SCC and a state championship. They set individual goals and had to have action steps to get them. Each one is remembering what they wanted to do,” said Kohut. “We just need to compete at a high level in practice and continue playing as a team. This team has the tools. The pieces are clicking. It’s a very strong team.”

The Branford girls’ soccer team’s roster features senior captains Macey Girard and Kendall Infantino; seniors Hilla Seunarine, Ajla Mehmedovic, Zaide Schlesinger, Veronica Smith, Caroline Spaulding, Nuala Paudyal and Katelyn Robbins; juniors Molly Pombo, Ava Ferrie, Samantha Stroka, Jennifer Spencer, and Ava Dombrowski; sophomores Tess Ferrie, Brenna Murphy, Emma O’Connor, Chayse Gueco, Madeline Resendes, Lucy Moran, Sophia Mioline, Paige Selander, Joelle Budz, Raiyn Fries, and Lyra Clifford; and freshmen Charlotte Green, Bryce Infantino, Glorianna Buckley, Katherine Harmon, and MacKenzie Nguyen. Coach Kohut’s assistant coaches are Billy Alessi and Sara Consolo.