Blind Brook girls’ soccer season ends following semifinal loss to Briarcliff
November 6, 2024 at 11:12 p.m.
The Blind Brook girls’ varsity soccer team ended their season in a game against Briarcliff on Wednesday, Oct. 30 with a lot to look back on. The final game was the Section 1 Class B semifinals. Whoever won this game would make it to regionals. Briarcliff, seeded number 4, won the match 1-0 by scoring more penalty kicks than number 1-seeded Blind Brook.
The Trojans lost the tough match after double overtime and penalty kicks. The girls dealt with constant pressure during the game, compounded by key players carrying the added weight of winning on their shoulders.
Even though both teams knew that penalty kicks were always favored by the person kicking rather than the goalie, there was still stress on both sides of the goal.
It was a season defined by growth, hard-fought battles, and the kind of teamwork that only comes from months of dedication and shared victories. From August’s tiring training sessions to the last match in late October, the team showed heart.
The Trojans kicked off the season with high hopes and ambitions, carrying their lessons learned from every game this season and fueled by a promising roster of returning seniors and fresh talent.
Their hard work paid off early, as the team saw an impressive list of victories, setting a high standard for the rest of the season.
There were many highs this season which cannot be pinned down to one specifically, but the Trojans’ journey wasn’t without its challenges.
The Trojans ended their 2024 season with a record of 12-5-1. Midseason brought a series of tough opponents, some of whom handed the team close losses. The setbacks were tough to take in, but the team fought hard, showing maturity in how they learned from their mistakes and improved for each following game.
Head coach Brian Sullivan noted, “As a team, they fight hard each and every game not only doing this for themselves but for the future players that look up to them.”
For the seniors on the team, this season was especially sentimental and affecting for them. Many had been playing together since elementary and middle school, which made the bond they shared crystal clear. Their leadership, both in games and behind the scenes, played a vital role in shaping the team.
Seniors like Makayla Dutra and Natalie Carey, who served as team captains, brought not only skill but also a sense of responsibility and mentorship that inspired younger players.
The seniors who have been a part of the team for up to four years are Alexandra Maniscalco, Alexandra Rubin, Sofia Padilla, and Anna Vnenchak. These 2024 seniors helped create the soccer team throughout these years and brought passion to the team this season.
The freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will never forget this season they were a part of due to its many accomplishments and successes.
One player to look out for in the 2025 season is goalie Bella Montesano who offered to fill in as goalie this season and ended up dominating. Another player to keep an eye out for is sophomore Lola Gonzalez. She was the leading scorer this season for Blind Brook and looks forward to having an even better season next year. Freshmen Gabby Cavallo and Ashley Brookman should also be strong players next season since both were starters on Blind Brook’s roster this year. They look forward to dominating again and claiming their starting positions.
Junior captain Kayleigh Curran ended the season with many tremendous accomplishments to look back on. Being switched to defense, she demonstrated agility and speed in every game. Keep an eye out for the current junior next soccer season. Each player was one way or another a part of the season's ups and downs which controlled how the team fulfilled its first seed standing.
Although the season has ended, the team’s foundation is strong, and the future looks bright. Younger players have gained valuable experience and are ready to step up next year.
Coach Sullivan emphasized that this season was as much about laying groundwork for the future as it was about immediate results. With the season now in the rearview mirror, the team has plans to regroup, recharge, and prepare for the next chapter.
The off-season will be spent focusing on conditioning, skill development, and building even stronger team bonds.
The girls’ varsity soccer team’s season may have ended, but the memories, lessons, and sisterhood that were formed will last long after that final whistle.
As they look back on their journey, it’s clear that the 2024 season was about more than just wins and losses. It was about growth, adaptability, and love of the game. The team has set a high bar for future seasons, and as they walked off the field for the last time on Oct. 30, there was a shared understanding that this was only the beginning of something great.
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