Rye’s Anabelle Thomas on the attack
Meredith Tutun in action
Rye High Girls’ Soccer
Garnets Remain Undefeated After Shutting Out Eastchester
<Yes, high school sports are different this year.> Because of statewide Covid restrictions there are fewer spectators. There’s no rah-rah pre-game announcement or running through the tunnel with high fives. Even the National Anthem seems more muffled and subdued than usual. The players and coaches all wear masks, so you can’t really see their faces.
The wintry chill in the air seemed to signal a different backdrop for the Garnet girls’ Monday night mid-season game against Eastchester, but true to the adage, “The more things change, the more they stay the same”, once the game started the atmosphere felt more familiar. Coach Rich Savage’s enthusiastic cheers pierced the chilled air, the positive sideline energy was palpable, and the girls turned in another win. Behind a balanced attack and stalwart defense, the Rye Girls’ Soccer team improved to 5-0 on the season in a rather lopsided 5 to nil contest.
Spurring the offense were junior forward Anabelle Thomas (two goals), senior wingers Meredith Tutun (a goal and an assist), and Zoe Rockas (one goal), and freshman Maddy Walsh. Molly Richardson, a junior, scored late in the game with a hard fought, unique “tummy roll” goal to put an exclamation point on the victory.
The goal-scoring started early. Just five minutes in, Thomas took a nice feed from Reilly Traynor just outside the box, broke through the defense, and blasted a goal by Eastchester’s defenseless goalie, initiating the ensuing barrage. Six minutes later, Tutun used her speed to dangle past the Eastchester’s left back and booted a well-placed lefty shot just inside the far left post. Right before the half, Rockas took a skilled through ball from Mali White, accelerated inside the 18-yard marker, and scored with a nifty blast just under the right bar. After that, the outcome was never really in doubt.
The strong possession play and ball movement of senior midfielder Caroline Stevens and junior midfielders Lauren Mehrara and Hannah Bertisch drove a barraging attack of multiple runs and shots on goal. The always-assertive defensive backbone of Reilly Traynor and her defensive partners kept the ball out of Rye’s defensive half most of the game.
True to form, the ever-energized sophomore goaltender Belle Jackson adroitly chased any stray balls that came her way. Senior “closer” goalie Amanda Latkany came in late for her second “save” of the season.
Next up, the Rye takes on Fox Lane at an away game next Wednesday away at Fox Lane Wednesday, before home matches against Sleepy Hollow on Thursday and the always scrappy Harrison Huskies Saturday night.
- Rye Record Sports staff
