The stars were aligned on Senior Night, May 8, as Charlotte Tucci led the Garnets to their second consecutive league championship, scoring three of Rye’s goals in their 8-6 win over Byram Hills.

By Melanie Cane

The stars were aligned on Senior Night, May 8, as Charlotte Tucci led the Garnets to their second consecutive league championship, scoring three of Rye’s goals in their 8-6 win over Byram Hills.

The Garnets struggled early in the game. The Bobcats won the first possession and then the Garnets lost possession at their own goal. After goalie Micheline DiNardo deflected a shot, Rye regained possession, but lost it again at their goal. Byram took a great shot, but DiNardo made a phenomenal save and Payton Emery got the pass off the clear.

Tucci scored the first goal of the game off a pass from Emery at the 20:53 mark. Abby Abate scored less than two minutes later, and Byram got on the board shortly thereafter. Nine scoreless minutes elapsed before Byram struck again after gaining possession on a Rye penalty. Caroline Neave scored Rye’s last goal of the half on a free shot. Byram added two after that, taking a 4-3 lead into the half.

After a pep talk and a few minor defensive adjustments from Coach Dennis Hurlie, the Garnets returned to the field composed and dominant. Neave tied the score at the 23:32 mark. The Garnets’ defense prevented the Bobcats from scoring while the offense tacked on another four goals. Molly DeCaro scored the first two and Tucci the last two. Towards the end of the half, the Bobcats scored twice more, but never posed a threat after that as the Garnets ran down the clock.

Coach Hurlie credited Tucci, Abate, and Neave for being “outstanding on the draw as they have been all season. Micheline had another outstanding game in goal with six saves and our defense in the second half was as good as they’ve been all year.” he continued, “The eight girls who play defense on our team really improved over the course of the season and they had much to do with our success. It came down — as it always does — to people making plays on the defensive end.”

Over the past two seasons, the Garnets are 15-1 in league play. Their first playoff game is May 14.