Branford repeats as SCC field hockey champion on Savannah Johnson's double-OT goal

The Branford High field hockey team celebrates its second straight SCC title after defeating Hand 2-1 in double overtime Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at Amity High in Woodbridge. (Kwame Colecraft/For Hearst Connecticut Media) WOODBRIDGE - The Branford field hockey team defeated Daniel Hand 2-1 in double overtime on Savannah Johnson's golden goal Tuesday night at William Johnson Stadium to win its second straight SCC championship.Johnson worked her way past two defenders and the goalkeeper before directing the ball into the net for the game-winner.Johnson's teammate Ellie Meyran was the first to give her a hug before the rest of the team and coaches joined the celebration. After playing defense for most of the game, Johnson and Meyran helped shift the momentum for Branford in overtime, creating chance after chance."It was all excitement - I mean, [it was] stressful being in double overtime," Johnson said. "We've been in this situation before a few years ago for states, and unfortunately the result wasn't what we wanted two years ago, but now today, it was just awesome."Two years ago, Branford lost to Guilford 1-0 in the Class M final on a golden goal scored by Cassie Ward.Johnson said the result left a bitter taste for the Branford players who were there.Since then, the Hornets have never looked back, but head coach Pete Frye is also making sure his team does not look too far ahead."Whoever the next team is, that's who we focus on, so hopefully we can play in three more," Frye said.The Hornets scored the first goal after a foul inside the shooting circle led to a penalty stroke, which captain Jessica Radziunas converted."I always expect to make the [penalty] strokes," Radziunas said. "That's like a free shot for me, so getting an opportunity in the finals is amazing."Radziunas also led Branford's defense to a solid performance. After Radziunas' goal, Hand controlled possession for much of regulation, but Branford's defense held off its attacks until Campbell Leckey converted a penalty stroke to tie the game.Frye said that the defense was the key to victory in the game.Once overtime came, Branford turned the tables and attacked the Tigers' defense."I couldn't be more proud of [my teammates]," Johnson said. "I love them so much, and I can't wait to see what happens during [the state tournament]."Branford is the defending Class M state champion and the No. 1 seed this year. After a first-round bye, the Hornets will host the winner of Nonnewaug-E.O. Smith in the quarterfinals.Hand is the No. 3 seed in M and will host No. 14 Lyman Hall in the first round.Player of the GameSavannah Johnson, Branford: Johnson scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give Branford consecutive SCC championships.Quotable"We really really played well on defense today. We knew that this was going to be a one-goal game. Hand plays a particular style that makes it really hard to score. We had some opportunities that we missed, but we knew that this was going to be a grind-it-out sort of game, so our defense was really the difference tonight." - Branford head coach Pete Frye.Branford 2, Daniel Hand 1 (2OT)DANIEL HAND 0 0 0 1 0 0-1BRANFORD 1 0 0 0 0 1-2Goals: Branford - Jessica Radziunas 1, Savannah Johnson 1; Hand - Campbell Leckey 1.Sign up for the Connecticut Briefing from CT Insider. Get the biggest headlines of the day from our network of journalists around the state.This article originally published at Branford repeats as SCC field hockey champion on Savannah Johnson's double-OT goal.