The last time these two teams met it was in an early season non league matchup in 2019 where FASNY would win 3-1. LREI would go on to finish first in the ISAL that year. Though it’s been a couple of years that result gave weight to this contest as there’s a lot of uncertainty as to the pecking order in the league this year. The early minutes were nervy, with both teams working hard to find their space. The Knights managed to work the ball right into the space in front of the FASNY defensive line, but their offside trap was incredibly organized and kept the LREI forwards from getting behind them. 

Junior forward Josie Parks was finding particularly dangerous chances, but just couldn’t seem to get past the goalkeeper with her shots. On the other end defenders Charlotte Peyser and Anneke Goudsmit were able to dominate the middle of the field despite the speed of the FASNY forwards. Goudsmit would drop deep time and again to cut out attempts to play through the Knights, and Peyser was able to collect the ball with well timed steps more than once allowing them to push the team forward on the dribble. And it was Peyser on the dribble that would eventually create the first goal, though it came late in the half. They beat players at the top of the box and slipped the ball into forward Mia Schulte, who would have no hesitation in taking her shot. 

Though it may have taken time for the breakthrough in the first period, the second was all Knights. Across the 40 minutes Peyser, moved up front, would add two more and Parks would tally one of her own late on, in an offensive flurry. But there were great performances all over the field. Defenders Olivia Atienza and Tsering Sherpa both had very solid games, playing against physical and fast opposition but never giving an inch. In the midfield Leah Maathey had her second dominating game in a row, showing off careful ball control and directing her teammates movements on multiple occasions. Freshman Ana Curry logged good minutes on the field in the second half, and also got credited with the win having started the game at goalkeeper. 

It was an important start to the league season this year knocking off a team that has won the ISAL title on numerous occasions. LREI play next on Thursday, September 23rd against another tough league opponent, Brooklyn Friends.