In what has become an annual November tradition, the Rye girls soccer team followed a familiar script with an extremely satisfying outcome: a 2-0 win Saturday over Section IX champion Sayville. For the third year in a row, the Garnets are moving on to the New York state semifinals.
After a scoreless, back-and-forth first half, fans in attendance at Arlington knew whichever side broke through first would have a strong chance of winning. With 26 minutes remaining, Rye sophomore Hannah Jachman headed in that all-important first goal, and just like that, the tide began to turn.
“That first half was a physical one,” said Rye coach Rich Savage. “I thought our midfield and back line defense were both outstanding today. We needed to make some adjustments at halftime, try to spread the field a bit, and were able to push a couple of huge goals across in that second half.”
As the Sayville starters seemed to lose a step and a drop of confidence, Rye found another gear. 50-50 balls were more like 90-10 balls for the Garnets.
With 13 minutes and change left, junior Charlotte Keenan went top shelf off of a corner kick by freshman Harkin Brown corner kick and that, as they say, was that.
Rye is now 20-0-3 on the year. In 23 games, the team has allowed just six goals.
The Garnets will face the winner of Section 2 champion Schalmont and Section 3 champion Jamesville-DeWitt at 5 p.m. next Saturday, Nov. 15, at Cortland High School. With a win, Rye will play for a second state title in three years next Sunday.
