Short-handed Knights Log Convincing Win Versus Regular Rival Brooklyn Friends In Physical Contest

J.Demster
Despite finishing the game playing 10 on 11 for over 10 minutes the Knights put on a convincing display behind a tremendous first half solo effort by Charlotte Peyser, a brilliant Leah Maathey hat trick and forward Alexa Leitner’s first goal of the season.
This game kicked off under incredibly dreary conditions, and the hope was just to get it in before the expected rain came. Played under the bridge across the southern end of Randall’s Island, the entire contest was held with the wind whipping across the field, even occasionally tossing things from the sideline into the fray. But both teams lined up knowing that the result would go a long way towards determining the direction of the season for each. Brooklyn came into the game having played Leman the previous week, and dropping that decision 3-1. A second consecutive loss would put their playoff hopes in jeopardy already, but a win could help right the ship. LREI rolled out 4-0 winners over FASNY earlier in the week, and a win could push them into the position of early contenders. A loss for the Knights here would open old wounds. Prior to this game LREI is 3-7-3 in the ISAL all time against the Panthers, including 2019’s penalty-shootout loss in the league semifinals. 

The Knights came into the day with short staff due to a combination of injuries and absences, so they began with just the 11 players on the field. The back 4 consisted of center back pair Annege Goudsmit and Charlotte Peyser flanked on the outside by Tsering Sherpa and Olivia Atienza. The midfield was Samantha Ramirez and Lily Faulkner outside of Sammi Sapira and Leah Maathey. This group played behind forwards Josie Parks and Alexa Leitner. In the net at the start was Ana Curry.

From the outset LREI absolutely dominated possession. The chances in and around the box were numerous, with Maathey and Parks both having several opportunities to break through the lines. But spaces closed quickly and their attempts went wide or high. Brooklyn wasn’t able to muster much going forward to push the Knights out of their end, but the little they did create came in the form of their dangerous central midfield. So it was all the more impressive when that same midfield combined to drive into LREI territory and bend the Knight backline on Charlotte Peyser’s side before they stripped their opponent of the ball, dribbled the length of the field, split the Friends backline to get in on net and finish. The goal came ten minutes from the half. And while it would stand as the lone score until halftime it was the moment that seemed to break the game. 

When the teams returned from the stoppage LREI were in full form, and between the 44th minute and 53rd minute they would add four more. The first came when Maathey tallied the first of her three on the day. She stole the ball in midfield and wove forward towards the box before firing home. Two minutes later the second was added as a slick little bit of work by forward Leitner. She rolled off of her player and received a precise pass from Sammi Sapira to be in alone. Sapira next sprung Maathey for her second and the team’s fourth overall.

Disaster seemed to strike not long after the fourth goal as Olivia Atienza, having moved in to center back, was forced off with a leg injury. She limped off the field during the run of play, and it took the team a moment to make adjustments. Brooklyn would drive forward between the Knight’s midfield and defensive lines, and slip in on goal right in the gap where Atienza had previously been. They managed to sneak the ball past then-goalkeeper Peyser from close range. It brought life to Brooklyn for a few minutes, but LREI organized to account for the missing player. From a push forward in the Panther midfield Maathey stripped the ball and pushed into the attacking third in the left corner. She held the ball up there, slowing the game. But Leitner, now playing alone at the top of the formation, saw space and burst forward. Maathey played her the ball, Leitner returned the pass and Maathey hit the back of the net. The short handed goal took the life out of Brooklyn and the Knights killed the remainder of the clock. 

With the win LREI takes sole possession of first place in the league, having scored 9 goals in 2 games and only conceding 1. The team has some time off to recuperate and reset before facing Dwight in a week. That game will be played Friday, October 1st on Randall’s Island. 
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