Garnet Youngsters Grow up Fast

A young Rye girls’ soccer team, no longer able to field All-American graduates Lia Bellizzi and Tatiana Saunders, lost to Mamaroneck 1-0 September 7. With eight of the starters gaining their first varsity experience, the Garnets allowed the Tigers to control the midfield in the first half.

By Melanie Cane

A young Rye girls’ soccer team, no longer able to field All-American graduates Lia Bellizzi and Tatiana Saunders, lost to Mamaroneck 1-0 September 7. With eight of the starters gaining their first varsity experience, the Garnets allowed the Tigers to control the midfield in the first half. Though Lexi Hijazi was excellent in goal, a perfect cross from the corner found a head and beat her for the only score 17 minutes into the second half.

Rye came on late, getting off eight quality shots in the last 18 minutes of the game. Head coach Rich Savage said, “This game was important because the team realized the expectations for each game.”

Before the next game against regional power North Rockland September 12, Hijazi broke her clavicle and back-up keeper Kelly Barnhardt suffered a concussion. Savage moved senior co-captain and four-year starting defender Kelly McRedmond into the nets, and she willed the Garnets to victory at Rec Rec, 2-1.

The midfield play of Vania Ludman, Kate Whiston, and Catherine Livingston was a major key to the victory. Carter Lahey, too, did an excellent job of creating many scoring opportunities for herself on the outside.

Returning forward Vania Ludman fed Livingston, who placed a perfect ball over the keeper’s head. Ludman assisted on the second goal as well. Audrey Love’s speed and agility enabled her to win a ball from the Rockland defenders and rocket a shot to the upper corner.

North Rockland’s goal midway through the second half put real pressure on Rye. Rachel Egan did an outstanding job filling in as Rye’s last defender (a job usually handled by McRedmond), giving herself a birthday present with a win in the bargain. Speedy Rita Futamura did well all game long at outside right.

Savage was tired but happy after the game. “Both on the field and bench, it was an excellent team effort.”

The Garnets are now 2-2 after beating Valhalla 2-1 and losing to Arlington 3-0.