As of three days ago, the New York State Sportswriters Association ranked Rye’s girls soccer team No. 2 in Class A. After a 4-0 shutout of Class AAA Arlington on Thursday at Nugent Stadium, any spectator would understand why.
The Garnets (12-0-3) have now won eight straight games after three consecutive 0-0 ties over a month ago.
Rich Savage’s team is playing its best soccer of the year at precisely the right time. Much like a Section 1 soccer boa constrictor, these Rye girls gently squeeze the air out of their opponents over the course of two halves, game after game. It’s soccer suffocation. With pressure, speed, and athleticism at every position – and off the bench – Rye disrupts a team’s circulatory system. When they look up at the scoreboard, it’s too late.
“We’re healthy now and that has been a real difference down the stretch for us,” Savage said after the win against Arlington. “I liked our pressure and intensity right from the opening kickoff tonight.”
Sophomore Hannah Jachman scored twice, and junior Charlotte Keenan and freshman Harkin Brown each added goals. But the difference against Arlington, the No. 2-ranked team in Section 1 Class AAA, was Rye’s swarming defense. Because of Rye’s speed and skill up top and in the midfield, the Admirals were challenged to even clear the ball out of their own half.
On the rare occasion Arlington broke through, it had to contend with Rye’s stout back line, a group that never panics, never loses their composure, and can effortlessly kick and pass with both feet.
As the playoffs near, the defending section champion Garnets will be an extremely demanding side for any opponent. The regular season concludes with a home game at 2 p.m. Saturday against Byram Hills.
