When the chips are on the line, it is safe to say don’t ever underestimate Coach Cathy McGuirk and the Branford Hornets field hockey team. In her 40th season as coach of the girls’ team, she is still having fun.
Over the years, McGuirk has won over 500 games and 10 state championships but last Thursday won her first SCC championship, a 2 – 1 win over the conference’s #1 ranked Cheshire Rams.
Since the SCC established a conference championship seven years ago the Hornets had never advanced to the finals. Branford goalkeeper Keira Integlia (in blue) and her teammates allowed only one Cheshire goal.
They defeated Hamden 6 – 1 in the quarterfinals and defending champions Lauralton Hall 2 – 1 in overtime on penalty kicks before reaching the finals.
Branford played for the title against their old nemesis. The teams have had a long relationship over the years going back to the former Housatonic League each winning numerous titles. The teams had battled twice during the regular season with Branford winning at home 1 – 0 in September and Cheshire beating the Hornets 2 – 0 on October 5 on their home turf.
The championship game was played on a neutral site at Lyman Hall and it was another slugfest with the Hornets scoring on a goal by Kiersten Bjork with 14 minutes 25 seconds left in regulation for a 2 – 1 victory and their first SCC title. Here Carol Frye (4) and Autumn McHenry chase down a Cheshire player with the ball.
Here the Hornets celebrate after Kiersten Bjork (2nd from left) scored the go ahead goal.
The Hornets scored first when freshman Molly Zaffino redirected a shot by teammate Sabrina Torcellini at 27:24 of the first half for a 1 – 0 lead. Cheshire’s Sam Simione tied the game at 12:09 on an assist by Sarah Pierpont.
The defense of both teams dominated the second half until players from the Hornets and Rams met in front of the Cheshire goal with Branford trying to get the ball in the goal net and Cheshire trying to get it out of the zone. Setting up to defend a penalty corner are L‑R Carly Shea, Autumn McHenry, Keira Integlia, Sabrina Torcellini and Alanna Grimm.
Here McHenry stops a pass by Cheshire’s Samantha Simione.
And here she steals the ball from a Cheshire player as Kiersten Bjork moves in.
It seemed like a lifetime with the ball bouncing off players like a pinball machine until Bjork reacted to a ball hit off SCC Player of the Year goalie Alyssa Stevens and took the game winning shot. Here the Hornets pile on after winning the championship game.
A bunch of happy hornets celebrate after taking the 2 – 1 lead.
“How about that,” said coach McGuirk. “Our kids never gave up and fought hard all night. That was a great win for us,” she said.
Branford junior Autumn McHenry was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for her defensive play.
Since the Cheshire game Branford shut out Pomperaug 4 – 0 in the first round of the Class M State Tournament on Tuesday. The Hornets will host East Lyme tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. Their record is now 17 – 2.
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