The LREI Knights began their 2023 campaign on Monday with the first of a series of non league contests as they tune up to defend their ISAL crown and attempt to return to the NYSAIS tournament. The season kicked off against Trevor Day, an opponent that LREI has met numerous times before, with an all-time record of 2-6-2 in previous matchups.

LREI return a squad with very few subtractions from ‘22, with the most notable being former captains Leah Maathey and Josie Parks. So expectations are high, and Trevor Day proved to be a good challenge on the day to get the season underway.

The opening minutes of the game were cagey and evenly matched. The central midfielders of Trevor were comfortable on the dribble, and the direct running of the forwards pushed the LREI backline on more than one occasion. But the backline, anchored by returning senior centerback Anneke Goudsmit, held firm and caught attackers offside with predictable regularity. 

LREI managed to strike first when, in the 28th minute striker Cassidy Cassidy Moskowitz gained the corner on a defender as she cut in from the right side and managed to scramble the ball toward goal. The resulting ball popped free and freshman Sookie Lee slammed the ball into the roof of the net for the season’s first goal. It was a short lived lead, however, as Trevor managed to breach the Knight’s defense within minutes. 

LREI suffered a blow when senior defensive midfielder Chloe Cunningham was forced off through injury on the half hour mark. Sophomore Charlie Cunningham entered the game to play alongside senior Sammi Sapira, and she did a terrific job helping to close out the half. 

LREI looked like they were going to grab the game by the throat when sophomore winger Tanvi Pawar put them up in the 49th minute. Lee, tucking into the middle, slid a quick ball to Pawar, who had isolated her fullback on the left side of the box. Pawar’s first touch bounced up in the air, but a quick cut as it came down beat the marker and put her in on goal. She finished far post with her right foot to give the Knights their second lead of the game. 

But LREI went through a difficult period, and managed to concede three unanswered, falling behind 4-2. With just three minutes left to play, and the Knights desperately trying to generate offense, they received a free kick in their attacking half, just outside the center circle and almost exactly in the middle of the field. Sapira played a great ball that fell just over the retreating defensive backline. Moskowitz beat the trap and tucked it home to give the reds life. Within two minutes the team had another free kick on the left of the box, which Sapira played right at tue near post. It met the run of freshman Lee, who had traveled just outside the frame of the goal. But she attempted an audacious flick that fooled everyone and made it onto the sliver of the net open to her at that point. There was a push in stoppage to find a winner, but the comeback had earned the Knights a draw with a lot to build on.

LREI play next on Wednesday, September 13th against UNIS in another nonleague matchup. It’s scheduled for Randall’s Island, but likely to be affected by the rain that has damaged the grass fields. Check the schedule for updates.