Harrison girls soccer team falls to Panas in opening round
By Skip Pearlman
The Harrison High girls soccer team came back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game at 2-2 early in the second half of last week’s Class A opening round playoff game at Panas, but the No. 5 Panthers struck for two more goals to earn a 4-2 win.
Harrison, the No. 11 seed, closed out the 2014 fall season at 6-9-1. Panas improved to 13-2-1.
The Panthers led 2-0 at halftime, but Harrison rebounded with two goals in the first five minutes of the second half. Emma Hochman scored the first Huskies goal, and Erica LaManna tied the game shortly after, converting a pass from Gina DiRusso.
But Alyson Kelly of Panas scored the game-winner on a penalty kick with about 10 minutes to play. Kelly finished with two goals, and Jenna DeSilva and Layla Tabalkozic also had goals for the Panthers.
“We played well,” Harrison coach Jon-Erik Zappala said. “But it was kind of a reflection of our season – we weren’t able to capitalize on shots. We had three posts, and missed some breakaways… We played well, but we need to seal the deal.
“LaManna had a really good game for us,” Zappala added. “And Gina DiRusso at center mid… and Emma Smolev played very well. They all really played well, played hard… but we were a little mentally taken out after that penalty kick.”
Cailyn Burgos stopped six shots on goal for Harrison, and Kailey D’Alessandro had eight saves for Panas.
“Our record really doesn’t reflect what we accomplished,” Zappala said. “We really bonded as a team, and did a lot of things well. The spirits are high for next season.”
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