Boys’ Soccer Fast Start Slows Down

The Branford boys’ soccer team had their best start in a number of years when they rattled off five straight wins to open the season.

The streak came to a close on Friday with a one-goal loss to Jonathan Law (3 – 2) and was followed by a tough 6 – 0 defeat to rival Hand on Monday at the Surf Club in Madison.

In the five-game streak, the Hornets outscored their opponents, 23 – 4. In the last two games, they were outscored 10 – 2. Branford’s record is now 5 – 2.

The Eagle was at the Amity game last week, a 5 – 1 win over the Spartans. Five different players scored for the Hornets in the victory, including co-captains Ethan Boileau and Ian Cabahug as well as Hazem Salem, Will Riggs, and Marzio Mastroianni.

The Hornets led 3 – 0 at the half on an early penalty kick goal by Boileau at 3:00 followed by a goal from Salem on an assist from Boileau. The final goal of the half was a remarkable scissor kick by Mastroianni that he hit back over his head into the Spartan goal. Ben DeMaio assisted on the goal. Here Boileau uses his knee to move the ball up field.

Teammates congratulate Ethan Boileau for scoring the first goal of the game.

Here Branford’s Cody McCarns (4) and Marzio Mastroianni meet at the ball.

Here Goal keeper Praneeth Ganedi stops a shot as Konstantinos Gionteris comes to assist.

Juan Leon-Munoz had two assists for the Hornets.

And here Abdalla Syed beats Amity’s Henry Molot to the ball.

All eyes are on Cody McCarns, as the sophomore has the ball head in his direction.

Here Junior Ben DeMaio redirects a pass away from an Amity player.

Here Konstantinos Gionteris hits a header to set up a teammate for a shot. 

Hornet coach Paul Hunter encouraged his team at halftime, giving them credit for their early effort. ​“Let’s keep it up, guys. You played a good half. Don’t let up. Keep the pressure on.” Here Coach makes a point during the action.

Amity’s Gabriel Paglia scored at 46:00 of the second half to make it 3 – 1, but Branford scored the final two goals by Riggs and Cabahug both on assists from junior Juan Leon-Munoz. Here Co-captain Cabahug gets around Amity’s Zachary Young.

The Hornets reach the season halfway mark today (Friday) in a home game against Cheshire beginning at 3:30 p.m.

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