A 1-0 draw in the Section 1 Class B semifinals was unfamiliar territory for the Edgemont Girls soccer team. Not only has he not reached the semi-finals since 2005, but in the last 16 games the team has allowed only 14 goals from him and only 10 shutouts, not facing a deficit much.
Edgemont refocused, scoring two goals in the second half and reaching the final for the first time since women’s football moved to the fall in 2005, as the team continued the historic achievements they have achieved so far this season. Did. This added to the team’s first victory. His 14 wins, a record since 2017—and possibly a school record—his first postseason win since 2016—the referee’s botched overtime/penalty kicks his game against the controversial Yonkers Montessori Academy—and The team’s first-ever league title.
It was the Panthers’ third victory over No. 6 Byram Hills this season, winning the regular season 2-0, 1-0.
“To be honest, we were a little shocked,” said coach Victoria (Letieri) Theofield. “We are not used to scoring goals, so what we talked about at half-time was that it was heartbreaking to be scored, even though it was a close 1-0 game. I played very well with the team, but I was very disappointed because I wasn’t used to scoring goals.When we talked at halftime, we talked about recognizing and changing that attitude. It crossed my mind, but it actually started with the captain, and it was a great moment.”
Edgemont had chances in both halves but had a bit more luck finishing second. I didn’t make any changes until That’s when she pulled back her junior Mia Kai and pulled the midfielder back a little tighter to guard the net.
The Panthers scored both goals in the 15th and 25th minutes of the first half on corner kicks from sophomore Eliza Press, leading to senior Jizz Boudel’s goal. Press has one assist, Kai has another.
“Izzy never disappoints,” said Theofield. “She had a really strong character, and when we were scored, she used the energy of feeling a little let down in the moment to fuel how we reacted to it.” knows how talented she is as a footballer, but there’s a lot of heart and a lot of goodwill in the characters that come with not just her, but the whole team. , I think we’ve really stepped up to show how much everyone wants it when it comes to personalities today.”
While Boudel has stood out over the years, Theofield praised Kai’s contribution to the team. “She’s a hugely underrated player and she’s one of the best players in this section,” she said. “She doesn’t have that reputation. She deserves a lot more respect than she does. She’s a star.”
Freshman goaltender Ananya Venkata Girish continued to be the Panthers’ rock at net with 16 game save stops.
“Byram had a lot of chances, especially in the last 15 minutes, but I’m confident in Ananya,” said Theofield. “She has grown tremendously just in terms of punting the ball, being strong on the ball, and working on jumping high for the ball. Today she made a big step forward for us.”
The No. 2 seed will face No. 1 Irvington in the Section 1 final on Saturday, October 29 at 3:00 pm at Nyack. They lost him 2-1 to No. 4 North Salem, but the upset in the first round was a sign of what was to come this fall.
Irvington beat Edgemont 4-1 on Day 1 of the season, so Edgemont have a chance to show how much they’ve improved over the past two months.
start everything
Edgemont started the postseason on October 21 with a 3-0 win over No. 15 Ardsley, a team they have lost 4-0 and 3-2 in overtime in league games this season.
“We played well, moved the ball around the defense, put the ball in, crossed it, played solid defense,” Press said. I think that’s what really helped us in the end.”
Press sophomore Isadora Melo assisted on the first goal, Kai assisted Boudel on the second corner kick, and sophomore Isabella Pacía scored the third without an assist. Venkata Girissh recorded his nine saves.
Junior Ileana Dimopoulos said: “I had played Ardsley twice before, so I definitely had a little bit of confidence. “It was important to come in with the confidence that we could play our game and win, but it was also important to be smart about how we played.”
It was the first-ever playoff victory for anyone on the team, and the first to follow. “This season has been the best season I’ve had with the national team,” said Dimopoulos. “I feel very close to all the girls on the national team and I don’t want it to end. I want to keep going as long as I can,” she said.
In the quarter-finals on 24 October, Edgemont scored a goal in the 4th minute of the second half as Venkatagirish shutout to beat Rheinek 1–0.
“I think I was a little nervous at first, at least for myself,” said Dimopoulos. “I felt a little bit easier playing against Ardsley on Friday. I’ve played them twice before. I think it took me a while to get the hang of it, but once I calmed down, I think I was able to do something good.”
Freshman Kayla Guzman scored with an assist from Melo.
“It was really great for Kyra to score that goal,” said Dimopoulos. “Then we just tried to bring in another member, but that didn’t happen. We played very tight and worked as a unit without giving each other a lot of space. As we progressed, we got better and better.”
It was Gassman’s first goal of the season, and no more. “She’s stepping up to the outside midfield position and she’s doing a great job,” said Theofield. “She’s quick on her feet, very strong on the ball, and isn’t afraid to take on the airball challenge. She’s come a long way in that role.”
The scores were a little too close for comfort, but Edgemont was persistent, recognizing that the game would get harder with each round.
“Today was definitely a tougher match than last week,” Melo said. “I think the rain made passing to our feet a little bit more difficult because the ball would slide on the turf. I think you tried.”
Not seeing Rye Neck this season put the team on edge, but the defense helped keep the team calm behind junior Fiona Stern.
“She doesn’t even get enough credit,” says Theofield. “She just steps her foot on the ball without fear. She is not afraid to throw her body in play and uses her chest to head the ball. stepping her foot into the
Rye Neck put up a great fight. This is exactly what he expected Theofield.
“We talked about staying strong defensively, not just in the defensive line, but as a team,” Theofield said. “I have to give it to Lai Nek. I respect them because they fought to the end.”
The entire Edgemont starting line-up impressed Theofield in the game. Venkata Girish in goal, Boudel, Stern, Kai, Sr. Anisha Rao in defense, Press, Gusman, Melo, Sr. Care Rutherford in midfield, Samantha Garson in sophomore, Dimopoulos and Pasia in top. .
“I really feel that this group is playing real football,” said Theofeld. “They find each other’s feet and their movement off the ball is very strong and it’s been very exciting to watch them grow, especially as they move up the field. I would love to, but I’m really proud of them.”
After years of struggling and going from 2 wins to 11 wins in the regular season, the Panthers wanted to prove they were the real deal.
“This was the biggest moment of their high school football career, or their entire football career,” Theofield said. “It’s part of the fight. They don’t want to let it go. wants to keep fighting and see how far it will take us.”
