The Branford field hockey team has experienced quite a bit of banner moments the last trio of falls. Yet the 2024 edition of the club is shaping up to be arguably the most impressive by how the Hornets are not only winning consistently, but denying their opponents to even get on the board.

As the defending Class M state champion from 2022, Branford valiantly fought to a 7-7-2 record for the 2023 regular season, and in the SCC Tournament, it was seeded sixth and notched a road 2-1 victory at No.3 Cheshire in the quarterfinals. The team then took a loss on penalty strokes to seventh-seeded Sacred Heart Academy in the semis.

In the Class M State Tournament, the Hornets were seeded ninth and recorded a 3-0 first round win at No. 8 Amity, before bowing out in the quarterfinals to another SCC foe, and eventual state champion, Hand by a 2-0 decision. Ultimately, the Hornets finished 9-5-2-4 for the entire campaign.

The 2024 edition of the Hornets took an early signal when they dropped their season opener in a non-conference matchup to Wilton by a 4-1 final on Sept. 7. From there, Branford took the defeat to heart and rattled off 10 consecutive wins–even more impressively–eight straight shutouts, to sit with a 10-2 mark.

“Early on, the Wilton game was a key for us. We lost, but we led for a good portion of the game, and that was a good wake up call for all of us,” said Head Coach Pete Frye. “We beat Cheshire for the first time in my tenure during the regular season, and then we beat New Canaan in overtime. Any win against an FCIAC [Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference] team is a shining moment. Additionally, we defeated a very underrated Newtown team, which was a very good game for us.”

Eliza Burgess is the sole captain for the Hornets this fall. A senior defender, she is additionally the last remaining starter from Branford’s memorable 2022 state championship club. She carries herself seriously in that position, as a leader admired by all who come across her.

“She brings a compassionate form of leadership to our team, as well as being an accomplished player and being very well-organized,” said Frye. “Eliza is a spectacular person who gets along with peers and adults equally.”

Ellie Meyran has already made history as a rookie freshman and forward when she broke the Branford freshman scoring record with her 21st goal in only her ninth game this year. Tate Jones is a junior midfielder, coming off a Second Team All-SCC selection in 2023. Sophomore netminder Lilly Panuccio currently houses a 94% save percentage, with eight consecutive blankings in the opening half of the year.

“Ellie is an offensive force. Tate is a very active and skilled player who runs our offense and is the top point of our defense,” said Frye. “Lilly is an extremely athletic goalie that is prone to making breathtaking saves.”

Senior Randee Chobian backs Panuccio up in the defensive zone, while Jessica Radziunas is a sophomore midfielder who shows assets on set plays. Another freshman standout has been Savannah Johnson up top as a forward, plus Hana Omeragic has stepped up her game as a junior midfielder, and then her classmate and forward Aliza Giordano gives the Hornets a boost off the draw.

“Randee can play anywhere, but she is an absolute anchor for us defensively while we are dealing with numerous injuries. Jessica Radziunas probably has the most unique skill set in the state. She is a very powerful player who excels on penalty corners, as well as protecting our circle,” said Frye. “Savannah is very skilled with her stick, and she is probably the best passer on the team. She is a very underrated player. Hana is easily the most improved player this year. She is very skilled with her stick, while she works very well with other players in the passing game. Aliza is a very dangerous player in the circle and has a good nose for the goal.”

In a 3-1 win against Guilford on Oct. 8, goals for the Hornets were scored by Radziunas, Jones (also assisting on another tally), and Meyran. Panuccio made 13 stops in the cage.

“This was a very intense game,” Frye said. “Outstanding performances came from Randee Chobian, Hana Omeragic, and Savannah Johnson.”

In a 1-0 loss to Hand on Oct. 10 that ended the streak, Panuccio made four saves in net.

“Hand capitalized on a defensive error early, and although Branford had opportunities, the one goal was the difference in the game,” said Frye. “Savannah Johnson was a Branford standout.”

While the Hornets have seemed to handle the challenges stemming from the portion of their schedule away from the SCC, what is even more impressive is how they have done it with a thin roster made even leaner by injuries. Moving forward, all Branford can do is work on what is in its grasp by winning each day internally.

“We play a very difficult out of conference schedule, and we have been hit hard with injuries to what was already a very thin team [only 23 total players for JV and varsity combined],” said Frye. “It has certainly taught us the ‘next person up’ mantra. We have had numerous players step into heavy varsity playing roles, and they have shined. You can't ask for anything more as a coach. Our goal is to always play our best game in our last game. We also want to continue each game to get a little better. That is all we can control, and we will see how far that will take us.”

Frye is now in his seventh season as the Hornets’ head coach. Program alumni and former captains Michaela Hobbs (fourth year) and Karly King (newcomer) are his assistants.

The 2024 Branford roster is comprised of seniors Skylar Dunn, Chobian, Sydney Dahl, Burgess; juniors Jones, Haley Robison, Giuliana Barros, Stacia Comen, Omeragic, Siara Humphries, Giordano; sophomores Panuccio, Calleigh Miller, Fairooz Islam, Caitlin Reilley, Radziunas; plus freshmen Natalie Shamas, Erica Chiechi, Meyran, Victoria Amarante, Adlee Guandalini, Laila Kezik, and Johnson.

2024 Branford Field Hockey Regular Season Results and Schedule

Sept. 7: Wilton 4, Branford 1

Sept. 10: Branford 6, Shelton 0

Sept. 13: Branford 8, Mercy 0

Sept. 17: Branford 5, Cheshire 0

Sept. 21: Branford 5, Newtown 0

Sept. 24: Branford 2, Sacred Heart Academy 0

Sept. 27: Branford 5, Lauralton Hall 0

Oct. 1: Branford 8, North Haven 0

Oct. 4: Branford 7, Lyman Hall 0

Oct. 5: Branford 2, New Canaan 1 (overtime)

Oct. 8: Branford 3, Guilford 1

Oct. 10: Hand 1, Branford 0

Tuesday, Oct. 15: at Amity at 4 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 17: vs. Hamden at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 21: at Sheehan at 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 22: vs. North Branford at 6:30 p.m.