The Branford field hockey team has prided itself on discovering its collective swagger as the season campaign has worn on by tackling the toughest adversaries in the SCC and across the state. The iron has helped sharpen the Hornets’ iron, as they are now two victories away from hoisting a state championship plaque.

After a 10-4-1-1 regular-season mark, Head Coach Peter Frye’s group reached the SCC tournament final before falling 2-1 in a valiant effort against Cheshire. Next, entering the Class M State Tournament bracket, Branford drew the No. 9 seed and dispatched No. 8-ranked Brookfield, 1-0 on the road on Nov. 8 in the first round.

The victory propelled the team into a matchup with SCC brethren and top-seeded Guilford, a squad Branford defeated 3-2 in the semifinals of the league draw to end the Grizzlies’ 4-year reign as defending conference champs. The Hornets then repeated their efforts in recording another 1-0 triumph–additionally concluding Guilford’s run as the three-time reigning Class M state champs.

“It was unprecedented. Guilford has won our division in states the last three years and SCCs the last four,” said Frye on the quarterfinal upset. “We feel we have been getting closer to these other SCC teams each year. In the SCC semis, they went up on us early, and the girls decided to fight and compete. Everything came into fruition that game, and then we carried it over to this matchup in states. The girls played with confidence and dominated most of the game,” said Coach Frye.

The Hornets, boasting a 14-5-1-1 overall record, stay in the SCC as they now face No. 5 seed Hand (14-5-1 overall) in the semifinal round on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Guilford. The winner advances to the finals on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Wethersfield High School versus either 6th-ranked New Milford (12-3-3) or

No. 7 Wethersfield (12-4-2).

When facing the Grizzlies (now 16-3-0-1 on their campaign), senior captain Scout Engstrom tallied what would be the deciding goal following a feed from junior Mia d’Amuri. Junior Julia Bozzi helped pitch the shutout with three saves in net.

“We had really good play from all of our players,” said Frye on his club’s efforts in the round of 8 versus Guilford. “Mia had a really good game and did well distributing the ball. She drove down the left side and made a beautiful pass. Scout took a nice shot and got it past their goalie.”

Frye mentioned that it was actually a

2-1 loss vs. Guilford on Oct. 20 that propelled the Hornets’ spirits going forward. Frye recalled that it was a slow start that materialized into a late rally, which corralled momentum for Branford in preparing for a prosperous postseason push.

“In that first game against Guilford, we came out flat, but then started to play around the midway mark,” said Frye. “We started to figure out we can play with this team. Our losses in the regular season were to good teams in Guilford, North Branford, Wilton, New Canaan, and Cheshire. Our strength of schedule has really benefited us.”

Speaking more to the squad’s slate of foes this fall, Frye noted that taking the sharper fork in the road has proven to be an asset for Branford–with it becoming an indelible mark for the club’s 2022 run.

“We had a tough regular season, and we had probably the hardest matchup in the SCC Tournament,” Frye stated. “We started off with Amity, who was a very good

No. 5 seed. We then faced Guilford, and then Cheshire. It was the same in states as the

No. 9 seed facing the No. 8 and top-seeded teams. The girls have gotten used to taking the hard road and embracing that rather than running from it, which is great because that can be the most satisfying.”

The Hornets’ progress all year long has been led by their four senior captains in Engstrom, Lauren McCarthy, Lauren Kendrick, and Gianna Bozzi. Moreso, Branford has posted 11 shutouts combined between regular season and postseason action behind a defense that hasn’t given the opposition many looks at the Hornets’ cage.

“Our focus starts with our captains. Aside from Lauren [McCarthy], I have coached all of them since middle school. It is a cool thing to see them grow up and see them learn how to face adversity,” said Frye. “We really put pressure on our defense this year. Our defense has kept shots away from our goalkeeper. Aryana Wilson is a senior defender who has shown why she is a First Team All-State-level player. She can dominate from a defensive standpoint.”

In the Hornets’ state bracket opener versus Brookfield, Gianna Bozzi was the lone goal earner with an unassisted score with Julia Bozzi swiping away two shots.

The Hornets also had several players named to the All-SCC Team. Engstrom was named the conference’s Player of the Year while notching First Team honors, along with Wilson. Gianna Bozzi, McCarthy, and Kendrick earned Second Team slots.

In advancing to face another familiar foe within the SCC family with Hand, the Hornets anticipate another tightly contested clash, yet they will be ready, no matter what scheme or hurdle may come their way.

“Facing Hand will be interesting. [Hand Head Coach] Sue Leckey is one of the best coaches in the state,” said Frye. “We know they will have something special for us, and we will have to adjust. We played them to a scoreless tie this year [on Sep. 27]. We played them three times last year; we beat them twice but they beat us in states. It will be a tight defensive-oriented struggle.”