Three has been the magic number for Rye so far this fall sports season.
A day after Rye’s boys soccer and volleyball teams both won season-openers 3-0, field hockey defeated Clarkstown by the same score Thursday at Nugent Stadium.
Similar to Wednesday’s boys soccer scoring, the Garnets’ field hockey team played a 0-0 first period before getting on the board early in the second. At halftime, Rye led 2-0, then added a third and final score with five minutes left in the third quarter.
“The first game can always be a little tough to see some of our strengths and spots that we need to work on,” said Rye coach Valerie Montano. “But I think the girls did a good job keeping up the energy, even when we were working out the kinks in the beginning, and staying persistent and coming up with some goals.”
The Garnets and Rams returned to the pitch with a shared goal: redemption. Both teams lost in their respective section championship games in 2025, and this season, are eyeing another chance at the title.
Thursday was the first game for a new-look Garnet roster that graduated 11 seniors last season, including many long-time starters and leaders. It didn’t take long for Rye’s returning players to come into their own.
Senior Olivia Prata struck first for Rye in the second quarter, then junior Elle Ridley closed out the half with the Garnets’ second point.
Senior Tessa Zicari, Rye’s new starting goalie, anchored the defense, saving five shots for the shutout.
“They had some early opportunities on us,” Montano said, “so I’m really proud of her [Zicari] and her leadership for stepping up, taking charge.”
Rye’s offense was unrelenting, firing 17 shots at Clarkstown’s goal throughout the game. Junior forward Kaitlyn Coyne scored Rye’s third and final point with a few minutes remaining in the third quarter.
“She worked really hard to help create some opportunities and get our urgency and momentum going,” Montano said of Coyne.
After handling the runner-up of last year’s Class A section title game, Rye will now take on the defending champs, playing at Mamaroneck in the second game of the season at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
