A new season, several new faces, and a resumption of winning soccer: that’s how the 2025 season began Thursday for the Rye boys soccer team. Right out of the blocks – and after only a week of practice with this new roster – the defending Section 1 Class A champion Garnets squared off against Tappan Zee, last year’s Section 1 Class AA champions. And won.
With just under five minutes to go in the first half, Rye broke through for the game’s only goal. A corner kick by junior Peter Wilmot was knocked in with a perfectly timed flicked-header by senior Lex Cox to put Rye on the board. Through patience, determination, and hustle from nearly constant Rye substitutions in the second half, the Garnets held on for the 1-0 victory.
“Obviously, we’re a different team from last year,” said Rye coach Jared Small. “And Tappan Zee is a different team as well, but it’s always good to start with a win. Tappan Zee is a terrific program with a very strong coach, so we’ll take it.”
Most of the first-half action was on Tappan Zee’s side of the field, as Rye’s midfield starters – senior Shun Nagata, Wilmot, and Kasen Scarperi – created multiple offensive chances. Showing little signs of any first-game nerves, Cox and ever-dangerous sophomore Felix Wismer seemed to be everywhere in the early going.
With a freshman starting up front (Connor Dehmer), a new goalie (senior Owen Karl), and two new starters on the back line (sophomore Christian Hoffman and senior Owen Wismer), the Garnets have their work cut out for them. Like all Jared Small units, count on these 2025 boys to be as well-prepared as ever.
Winning a battle of defending Section 1 champions in the season opener is a good first step. Last year, both the Garnets and the Dutchmen won their respective section titles to advance to the state tournament.
Tappan Zee moved down to Class A this season, which means the two teams could meet again in the 2025 Section 1 playoffs, with a return trip to state on the line. But there are many high-stakes matchups to come before the postseason, starting with a rivalry game against Harrison.
“After the game, we told the boys this season is a marathon, not a sprint,” Small said. “We’ve got a long way to go here and another big game on Saturday against an excellent Harrison team. This is just the first game, but they all matter.”
