Giudice, Somers Advance in Class A; Lakeland, Yorktown Ousted
By Tony Pinciaro
Junior Ava Giudice came into the 2021 SOMERS’ girls’ varsity soccer season as a player on the rise. The midfielder was ready for a breakout season and Giudice has done just that. Giudice established herself as an offensive option, whether she is setting up her teammates or putting one in the back of the net.
Giudice displayed her offensive wizardry as a surging Somers, seeded sixth, opened the Section 1 Class A Girls’ Soccer Championships with a 7-0 victory over No. 11 Yonkers. Somers was set to play at No.3 Pearl River last night. Pearl River defeated Somers, 1-0, in overtime, during the regular season.
Giudice assisted on her team’s first three goals of the game before scoring two of her own for a career-best five points.
“I think Ava has great vision of the field,” said captain and teammate Lily Mandel-Mueller. “And along with her technical abilities she is able to create a multitude of opportunities and is clinical in her finishing.”
Freshman Julia Arbalaez continued her impressive season, scoring Somers’ first and third goals with Maddie Lyle netting the second goal. All were assisted by Giudice.
Giudice made it 4-0 on a feed from Alicia Hawkins. She added her second of the game on a corner kick.
“We were able to convert our chances, but Ava (Giudice) stole the show with her three assists and two goals,” Somers’ Coach Kelci Hegg said.
Rachel Menna, assisted by Lindsay Gill, and Hawkins closed out the scoring with their first goals of the season.
Somers has raised its level of play the second half of the season, winning six of its last seven games. Playing at a high level going into sectionals is what all teams strive for.
“I think that it is important to peak at the correct time in a season and we have been catching a good rhythm at a crucial part of this year for the team,” Mandel-Mueller said. “The amount of training, as well as the competitiveness in our training sessions have been carrying over well into our games. Our positive mentality has also continued to intensify throughout this time.”
Pearl River defeated Somers in the third game of the season. Mandel-Mueller said the goal came off of a free kick. She and her teammates know they are a vastly-improved team since that game.
“It was a close game and our team played well,” Mandel-Mueller said. “We have developed as a team, since then, and are well-prepared to play them.”
Seventh-seeded HORACE GREELEY and 10th-seeded YORKTOWN engaged in a marathon first-round Class A game that was decided by penalty kicks.
The Quakers prevailed, doing so in penalty kicks, 4-3, after the score was even at 1-1 through regulation and overtime. Ramsey Edson scored for Greeley in the second half to send it to extra time.
With the penalty-kick round square at 3-3, Greeley had the last chance and Hannah Fetzer buried her shot for the game-winner. The Quakers played at No. 2 Rye, Monday, in a quarterfinal.
The teams split their league matchup with Yorktown taking the first game, 2-1. Greeley rebounded the week leading up to sectionals with a 4-1 triumph. Greeley captain and goalie Kaylin Genda was involved on both ends of penalty kicks. Genda is also one of Greeley’s top five shooters. Being a shooter allows Genda to prepare herself for facing a penalty kick.
“As far as saving shots, I feel as though I have a bit better of a mindset because I also take them myself,” said Genda, who converted her penalty kick. ‘I usually guess based on the shooter’s hip position, but I never completely commit just so I can change directions, if needed.
“As far as remaining composed, I try to mentally block everything out, but with a big crowd like we had at the game, it can be hard. I practice them a lot so during games penalty kicks don’t feel too different/special, which is what I think helps me the most.”
Jules Vano tallied Yorktown’s lone regulation goal of an assist from Emily Ward.
LAKELAND’s excellent season came to a premature conclusion as the fourth-seeded Hornets (12-4-1) were shocked by No.13 Harrison, 2-0, in a Section 1 Class A opening-round game last Friday.
“I felt like we did a nice job of controlling the middle third, but couldn’t finish in the attacking third,” Lakeland Coach Shawn Sullivan said. “We didn’t get enough crosses or attack central with enough combination play to really put pressure on their back line or goalkeeper. They made two nice plays and shots, and that was the difference.”
Despite the loss, Lakeland did receive good news as senior Linda Daly was selected the Con Ed student-athlete of the week.
“I was very pleased with the improvement we made all season,” Sullivan said. “This group of seniors was really special. They helped put Lakeland girls’ soccer back on the map. I will miss them all. Linda Daly and Nadia Parisi will go down as two of the best to ever put on a Lakeland girls’ soccer uniform.”
HEN HUD was eliminated from the postseason after losing 4-1 on PKs after a scoreless regulation and OT stanza.
Fourth-seeded PLEASANTVILLE worked a 3-0 opening-round win over Dobbs Ferry when Maddie Braverman scored twice, and Jess Beck hit another for the Panthers, who will see No.5 North Salem next. No.2 BRIARCLIFF will host No.7 Rye Neck with eyes on the big prize down the road.
Christina Kelly and Ellie Barnett each scored in No.8 WESTLAKE’s 2-1 win over CROTON with the Wildcats advancing to face No.1 Bronxville in the Class B quarters.
LuLu Van Sauer scored for Croton.
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