RHS Girls’ Soccer
By Melanie Cane
In a very physical game against Yorktown, the Garnet Girls stayed focused on the ball, which was how the Class A League III C team shut out the Class AA team 3-0 at home October 2. It was a big win for Rye as Yorktown has beaten them the past several years. The Garnets are now 8-1-1 and undefeated in their league.
Both teams played with a high level of intensity throughout the first half. The Huskers got off the first shot, a rocket line drive from the right side. Rye goalie Hannah Friedrich diverted the ball by jumping and redirecting it with her fingertips. At 15:42 Rye had a great opportunity. Claudia Raffa passed to Meredith Tutun who was in front of the net and shot it just over the center of the net. A minute later, Sarah DeGraw’s shot hit the inside of the post. Isabelle Castro then launched one, which Yorktown goalie Olivia DeCicco caught. Leah Kenney shot one over the goal and DeGraw kicked a line drive which DeCicco caught. Finally, at 4:46, DeGraw in-bounded the ball to Hannah Mullaly who passed back to DeGraw. DeGraw shot the ball and Mullaly deflected it in for her first goal of the season.
With a tenuous 1-0 Garnet lead, the Huskers blasted one off a breakaway with under two minutes left. Friedrich made a sliding, diving stop to preserve the lead. This was the key play of the game.
In the second half, the Garnets outplayed the Huskers. Yorktown’s goalie saved a penalty kick by Mullaly at 19:26. But two minutes later, DeGraw stole the ball off the transition, drove down the left side of the field and scored on a diagonal shot past the goalie. After several more close shots an alert Anna O’Keefe scored on a loose ball in front of the net. All in all, the Garnets took 12 shots to the Huskers’ three. Towards the end of the game Yorktown was clearly fatigued, while the Garnets were full of energy. Coach Rich Savage attributes it to the fact that they “sub more frequently and outwork other teams.”
He had high praise for the girls’ “outstanding” defense. “We played with composure and were able to move the ball in nice threes throughout the game.” He pointed to the fine efforts of keeper Hannah Friedrich who had lots of assistance from Lilly Friedrich, Molly Broderick, Katie Sack, and Leah Kenny. “Sarah DeGraw and Meredith Tutun were also vital to the victory,” he added.
Goalie Friedrich said of her key saves, “Of course they felt amazing, but more importantly it assured everyone that the defense and I have one another’s backs.”
The Garnets have two difficult away games ahead of them: Byram Hills on October 4, post-press time and Harrison October 7.
Anna O’Keefe on her way to scoring
Leah Kenney with the steal
