The Branford field hockey team captured the state championship by earning a 1-0 victory versus New Milford in the final of the Class M State Tournament. Freshman Aliza Giordano scored the only goal of the game to lift the Hornets to their 11th state title and the team’s first since 2005. Branford completed the fall season with an overall record of 16-5-1-1, having also advanced to the SCC championship game.

As the No. 9 seed in the Class M bracket, Branford notched 1-0 victories in all four of its State Tournament contests on its way to claiming the crown. The Hornets defeated Brookfield, defending champion Guilford, and Hand to advance to the final. Branford went on to post a 1-0 win over No. 6 seed New Milford when the Hornets faced the Green Wave in the Class M title game at Wethersfield High School on Nov. 19.

The Branford field hockey team’s roster includes senior captains Lauren McCarthy, Lauren Kendrick, Scout Engstrom, and Gianna Bozzi; seniors Aryana Wilson, Gianna Bonanno, Gabriella Morrotti, and Jade Bocciarelli; juniors Allison McCarthy, Sophia Taranto, Iva Sekerovic, Rachel Esposito, Mia d’Amuri, Elizabeth Wieland, Isabella Kelly, Mariah Fazzino, Reanna Sachs, and Julia Bozzi; sophomores Skylar Dunn, Randee Chobian, Sydney Dahl, Eliza Burgess, and Thalia Zweeres; and freshmen Tate Jones, Stacia Comen, Hana Omeragic, Paige Baker, Siara Humphries, Haley Robison, and Aliza Giordano. Head Coach Pete Frye is joined by Assistant Coach Jenna Limone.

Branford had last played for a state title in 2011 and most recently won the Class M crown during the 2005 season. The Hornets’ game against New Milford marked the program’s 16th appearance in the state final with 11 of those matchups resulting in championships for Branford.

Branford recorded a mark of 10-4-1-1 in the regular season this year. The Hornets then competed in the SCC Tournament as the No. 4 seed. Branford earned a 1-0 victory versus No. 5 seed Amity in the conference quarterfinals and claimed a 3-2 win over top-seeded, defending champion Guilford in the semifinals The Hornets then took a 2-1 defeat against No. 2 seed Cheshire in the SCC final.

After competing in SCCs, Branford opened play in the Class M State Tournament as the No. 9 seed and netted a 1-0 victory versus No. 8 Brookfield in a first-round game. The Hornets went on to post a 1-0 win at No. 1 seed and defending champion Guilford in the quarterfinals, followed by a 1-0 triumph against No. 5 Hand in the semifinals, to make it to the championship game.

—Chris Piccirillo