The Rye girls soccer team defeated Byram Hills 7-2 Tuesday in Armonk. Rye, now the state’s No. 2-ranked team in Class A, controlled this game from start to finish to remain unbeaten (11-0-3).
Junior midfielder Shira Rand scored the first Rye goal with just under 10 minutes gone in the first half. The left-footed strike from distance was a perfect example of what the Cornell University commit’s done all season long for the Garnets: quietly powerful, well-positioned, and sent with authority.
Next up was Rye senior center back Claire Nemsick, who delivered a perfect ball into the box from near midfield that somehow ended up in the back of the net.
After a beautiful Byram Hills goal cut it to 2-1 midway through the first half, it was Charlotte Keenan’s turn. The junior scored two goals in 45 seconds to give Rye a 4-1 lead by halftime, demonstrating her ball control skills and fast-as-she-needs-to-be wheels.
Julia Carballo had another stellar game for Rye. The junior midfielder is a fleet-footed workhorse who rarely makes mistakes. If there were statistics in soccer for hustle and precision passing, Carballo would certainly be among the Section 1 leaders in both categories.
Freshman Mae Haesslein made a rare start in goal for the Garnets and finished with four saves.
Left back Ella Fleckten may be a ninth grader on paper, but the maturity in her game belies her age, and sophomore Hannah Jachman has emerged as center-mid on a mission. Her toughness and field leadership in the center of Rye’s offensive open field attack are second to none on this playoff-bound Rye side.
Rye’s regular-season finale will be a good test ahead of the postseason. The Garnets host Arlington, the No. 3-ranked team in Section 1 Class AAA, at 5 p.m. Thursday.
