Last season’s edition of the LREI girls’ varsity soccer team opened with a convincing 4-1 win over a Friends team that they were playing for the first time.  It was a tense game in the opening minutes, with LREI conceding first, but the game was quickly taken over by the Knights’ midfield. 

 

This year’s edition took place at Pier 40, right near the school, in what can be considered a true “home” game for the Knights.  Playing in front of the faculty, families, and students from the school is always a thrill for the team, and something they look forward to each year. 

 

The team from Friends was larger, faster, and a bit more physical than last year’s group, so the game was a close one right from the outset.  Both teams were able to find opportunities to test the backline of the opposition, although neither goalkeeper was truly tested early on.  LREI’s midfield duo of Finley Martin and Ana Maroto dominated possession throughout the game, combining with wing midfielders Lucy Tamarkin and Amelia Pinney, and later on the left Juno Hobbs, to create multi-pass sequences that kept Friends running circles around the field.  Time and time again Martin collected the ball in the center of the field and tested the Friends back line with a through ball.  However Friends battled back by being more physical and constantly hustling to the ball.  Strikers Rachel Morrow and Olivia Sharp were outmuscled and found space in which to work hard to come by.  And the LREI midfield could not provide the decisive pass before the break.  The physicality of the game was obvious to all who watched, and two LREI players were forced off before the half with injury. 

 

With the teams locked at 0-0 at the half, LREI made a switch at goalkeeper, moving senior Ally Klemer from the net to forward, and bringing on junior Cara Eagan.  Klemer made an immediate impact, testing the Friends back line with numerous runs and chasing down every ball played into her area.  In the mean time, Eagan was steady in the net for the Knights, collecting long balls and stopping several shots. 

 

Around the 48^th minute LREI earned a corner.  Stepping up to take the corner was freshman forward Morrow, who has lead the Knights in scoring all season, but who had been rather quiet in the first half.  Her ball to the near post found it’s way through to Klemer who tried to fight for a shooting opportunity.  It was poked out to a Friends player who looked as though they’d clear the lines.  Martin caught her from behind, stepped between the defender and the ball, and executed a quick and skillful turn before firing a shot into the roof of the net.

 

The rest of the game played out with LREI continuing to maintain possession and push for a second without giving up space for Friends to equalize.  While there were a few moments of pressure late in the game Eagan and the Knights back four held firm, and saw out the game.  While it was closer than the possession domination would have suggested it was an extremely satisfying win for the team that sees them stretch their current win streak to five games.

 

The team is in action next when they travel to Tarrytown, NY to take on EF International in a nonleague matchup.  The team isn’t in action in the ISAL until next week when the playoff rounds begin.  LREI play in the semifinal round vs #2 seed Brooklyn Friends.