Field Hockey

Branford field hockey traveled to Amity on Oct. 15 and won 4-2. Goals were scored by Aliza Giordano (three), and Jessica Radziunas. Ellie Meyran had two assists.

“Branford went down two goals early but fought back in a big way,” said Head Coach Pete Frye. “Outstanding game from Tate Jones.”

Two days later, the team hosted Hamden and won 2-1. Meyran scored both goals for the Hornets, and assists came from Giordano and Tate Jones. Lilly Panuccio had four saves in net.

“Outstanding performances from Caitlin Reilley, Guiliana Barros, Tate Jones, Randee Chobian, and Jessica Radziunas,” said Frye.

On Oct. 22, the Hornets hosted North Branford and took a 2-1 overtime loss. Radziunas scored for Branford, and the goal was assisted by Chobian and Jones. Panuccio had one save in net.

“Really intense game,” said Frye. “Standouts were Ellie Meyran and Savannah Johnson.”

Jones and Panuccio were named to the All-SCC First Team for their efforts this fall. Meyran earned a spot on the Second Team.

Volleyball

The Branford volleyball team hosted Hamden on Oct. 16 and won 3-0. Riley O’Brien had 16 digs, and Julianne Henkel had 22 assists.

The team then hit the road to Waterford on Oct. 17 and took a 3-1 loss. Henkel and Madison McClain had eight kills each. O’Brien had 26 digs, while Sailor Plourde and Julia Burton each had 13. Henkel added 21 assists.

On Oct. 21, the Hornets hit the road to Fitch and fell 3-2. For Branford, Plourde, Burton, and Lea Sekerovic each had nine kills, and McClain had seven blocks. O’Brien had 24 digs, Henkel had 19, Burton had 18, and Plourde had 12. Henkel added 33 assists.

Branford closed out the season at North Branford on Oct. 22, taking a 3-1 loss. Burton had 11 kills, while Sekerovic had nine. O’Brien added 16 digs, Sophie Santos had 14, Henkel had 13, and Plourde and Burton each had 11. Henkel recorded 23 assists.

O’Brien earned All-SCC First Team honors this fall, and Henkel was named to the Second Team.

Football

The Branford football team traveled to Harding on Oct. 11 and won 27-12. Jaeden Konesky scored two touchdowns, one on an 80 yard punt return and another one on an eight-yard run. He had 16 carries for 70 yards, two receptions for 16 yards, eight tackles, and a fumble recovery. He compiled a total of 157 offensive yards. Chris McKittrick scored two rushing touchdowns and had 134 total yards.

The team then hosted Sheehan on Oct. 18 and took a 47-0 loss. Rhamell Fairclough led the team with 23 total yards, and Aiden Dupre and Trent Tracy each had eight tackles.

On Oct. 25, Branford hosted Hartford Public and won 9-8. Konesky picked up 172 yards of offense and ran in a touchdown for the Hornets. Fairclough recorded 113 total yards. Ryan Booth had 10 tackles.

On Nov. 1, Branford hit the road to Shelton and lost 49-14. McKittrick threw for a touchdown that was hauled in by Grayson Mills. Aidan Tracy added a rushing touchdown to the score. Trent Tracy had 11 tackles.

The Hornets traveled to West Haven on Nov. 8 and fell 49-0.

Cross Country

The Branford boys’ and girls’ cross country teams competed at the SCC Championship on Oct. 16 at East Shore Park in New Haven. The boys placed 13th with 392 points. David Regan placed 25th with a time of 17:36. Sawyer Gaudreau placed 82nd (19:33), and Paul Lesyk took 95th (20:29). Cormac Fichtenholtz placed 99th (20:49), while Cooper Ranton placed 104th (21:11). Supremee Shrestha finished in 108th place (22:21).

The girls didn’t have a team score, but Charlotte Kenney placed ninth with a time of 20:10. She earned First Team All-SCC. Caitlyn Lentner finished 39th (22:01).

“Quite an impressive race for Charlotte, running against very good competition. She had a top ten finish as a freshman. She has raised her level throughout the season,” said Head Coach Kevin Connell. “David ran a personal record (PR) to finish 25th. He has been a great example of how dedication and hard work can lead to big improvement. The boys overall had a better meet than last year.”

Girls’ Swimming and Diving

On Oct. 8, Branford girls’ swimming and diving brought in a win against Mercy at home, with standout competitions from captain Kylie Acquarulo-Savastano in the 200-yard freestyle (2:21.28), sophomore Gabriela Silva, and freshman Tasia Emmons in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events. Captain Erin Newlan clocked a personal best time in the 500 freestyle (6:44. 65), and junior Abigail Talalas had a season's best in the 100 backstroke (1:17.61).

The Lady Hornets were back at their home pool for the last time this season for their Senior meet on Oct. 18, and they were able to take home their second win of the season over Shelton. Standout athletes included senior captain Acquarulo-Savastano winning both the 200 freestyle (2:24.25) and 100 freestyle (1:04.98) events. Freshman Audrey Henkel won both the 200 individual medley (IM, 2:25.24) and the 100 backstroke (1:08.08). Senior captain Newlan won the 500 freestyle (6:38.82). Coming through for the Hornets was senior diver Emerson Shuff, winning the diving event with a score of 184.25.

Branford went on to take a tight 92-91 loss at Albertus Magnus on Oct. 22 to the co-op team of East Haven, Sacred Heart, and New Haven. Top performers included freshman Henkel winning her events of the 50 freestyle (26.35) and 100 freestyle (1:00.68). Acquarulo-Savastano won the 100 backstroke (1:14.35), and sophomore Audrina Pham touched out her opponent in the 100 breaststroke (1:19.78).