The Rye girls’ soccer team completed its regular season at 9-5-2, earning an 11th seed in Section 1 competition.
By Melanie Cane
The Rye girls’ soccer team completed its regular season at 9-5-2, earning an 11th seed in Section 1 competition.
Unfortunately, in their last game before the playoffs, senior tri-captain Audrey Love suffered a season-ending injury.
Without Love, the team managed to win their opening round game October 27 against Ursuline, 1-0. Junior superstar Kate Whiston scored the game’s only goal.
Hurricane Sandy delayed Rye’s quarterfinal game against Walter Panas, who they played on November 4. The week off seemed to suit the Garnets as they came out fast and furious, scoring three goals in the first 10 minutes. Senior captain Vania Ludman scored on a cross from Whiston in the first minute. Then, Julia Buffone scored on a cross from Ludman. Christina Benincasa completed the scoring attack and Whiston put an exclamation point on the half with a shot off the post at the 30-minute mark.
Rye took a 4-0 lead into the second half and Coach Rich Savage gave all the substitute players playing time, including back-up keeper Claudia Hentschial and Anna Paula Holquin. Players of note included Rachel Egan — who did an amazing job shutting down the top scorer from Walter Panas — defensive whiz Charlotte Tucci, and freshman keeper Maddie Eck — who has has been a tour de force throughout the season.
Ludman scored Rye’s fifth and final goal midway through the second half and an energized and tenacious Panas fought back to score three times. But RHS remained on top, 5-3.
Rye lost a heartbreaking semi-final game, 2-0, to the Pearl River Pirates on November 6. Pearl River went on to win the Section 1 Class A title last Friday against Somers.
Ludman, Whiston, Egan, Tucci, and Eck did an excellent job shutting down Pearl River’s top scorer, but late in the first half, Pearl River found the back of the net. Early in the second half, Whiston kicked one into the goal post, but Rye was unable to convert. Late in the second half, Pearl River scored the final goal of the game.
Savage said he’s very proud of his team. The coach said he’ll sorely miss the graduating seniors who he called “dedicated, hardworking student-athletes and outstanding role models for the younger players on the team.”
