Blind Brook girls’ soccer faces up and down homecoming week
October 9, 2024 at 11:56 p.m.
Homecoming week is always a special time for high school athletes, bringing added excitement but also pressure to perform in front of larger-than-usual crowds. For the Blind Brook girls' varsity soccer team, this year’s homecoming stretch was no exception. With three games packed into a busy week, the team fought hard on their home field, ultimately finishing with a victory.
On Thursday, Sept. 26 the girls played Pleasantville. It was a tough match and tested Blind Brook’s skills.
The game ended with a sad loss, but the Trojans worked hard and showed some true talent that day.
Junior Bella Montesano had nine saves with the final score 3-0. Even though the Trojans didn't end up taking a win, coach Brian Sullivan was proud to see many new performances come out of certain players. The team took the loss while looking on the bright side that there had been many improvements and the score did not reflect how well the team worked throughout the match.
The team showed their strength early, dominating possession and creating several goal-scoring opportunities. However, as the second half progressed, Blind Brook’s defense tightened, and their midfield began to take control.
The second game of the week was the much-anticipated homecoming match against Valhalla High School on Friday, Sept. 27. Determined to put their first loss behind them, the Trojan girls came out with renewed energy and focus. In the first half, senior captain Natalie Carey had an outstanding goal creating an enthusiastic tone in the audience.
In the second half, the offense came even more alive with freshman Gabby Cavallo breaking the deadlock with a stunning strike that sailed past the opposing keeper. The goal emboldened the team’s confidence, and soon after, junior Eliza Barnett added a goal, allowing the team to secure a 3-0 win. Montesano made four saves and junior Lily Wolf made two.
With the crowd cheering loudly and the team celebrating on the field, this victory provided a much-needed team boost during homecoming week.
The high spirits from the homecoming win didn’t carry over into the next game Blind Brook played against Pelham on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Facing a team in a higher class, the varsity girls knew they were in for a challenge.
Chased by a Pelham opponent, Kendall Konigsberg breaks away with the ball in Blind Brook’s Tuesday, Oct. 1 loss to Pelham by a 1-0 score.By Joseph DeCarlo
Pelham’s aggressive style of play quickly put the Trojans on the defensive, and by the end of the match, they found themselves losing 1-0. Even though this contest ended in a tough loss, the Trojans did not lose by much. Letting up only one goal against an opponent in a higher class in a difficult game is nothing to be ashamed of.
As the Trojans regroup for the remainder of the season, the girls’ varsity soccer team will no doubt focus on building upon the lessons learned from these tough matchups. With several key players stepping up and younger talent making an impact, the team has much to look forward to in the games ahead.
Homecoming week may not have gone exactly as planned, but it served as a reminder of the team’s potential and the work that paid off in their victory on homecoming night.
From the first whistle of each match, Blind Brook showed determination. Their opponents came prepared, putting the team on the defensive early.
The school and the Rye Brook community continue to rally around the team, knowing that the journey is far from over.
As they look to the remaining games on their schedule, there’s a sense of hope and confidence that they can turn things around. The girls are determined, and with the support of their coaches and teammates, they’ll continue to fight for every win.
The Trojans would face Westlake away on Thursday, Oct. 10 followed by another away game against Briarcliff on Tuesday, Oct. 15 and a home contest against Rye Neck on Wednesday, Oct. 16, both at 4:30 p.m.
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