When the year begins there are always a few fixtures that the teams look towards knowing that their outcome will have major implications on the playoffs. In recent seasons LREI vs Dwight is one of those games. In 2019 LREI’s 4-0 win at Pier 40 was the clinching game for their regular season championship. 2022 saw Dwight finish on top of the table, powered by their 1-0 win over the Knights. But that season also saw 4th seed LREI defeat the #1 Lions on their way to their second successive playoff trophy. The games between these two teams in recent years have been meaningful, and the emotions have always been high. 

This was all on display when they kicked off for the ‘23 edition, as right from the whistle the game was a physical battle. LREI had to marshall it’s defense for the first quarter of the game, being pushed back by the way Dwight threw numbers forward. The Lions’ attacking midfielder was extremely comfortable on the ball and seemed to have great field vision. But LREI learned those lessons already this season, dealing with dribbly central players in games against Trevor and Hewitt early on in the campagn. Central midfielder Sammi Sapira was especially patient in how she dealt with her opposite mark, recognizing the threat and settling in to delay with regularity. Paired in the first half with sophomore Simone Barbosa, who was a bit of a revelation in the defensive midfield spot in the opening period of this game, the two of them were positionally terrific, disciplined and strong in the tackle. And it was needed, because the Knights found it hard to get out of their end to relieve the pressure with any sustained possession. The back four of Josie Smith, Olivia Atienza, Anneke Goudsmit and Tsering Sherpa stood strong on multiple occasions. Goudsmit especially found herself faced with direct challenges, and was equal to the task each time. She made several huge tackles, and her line breaking passes eventually helped LREI play out. 

With about 25 minutes played the tables flipped. The Knights began winning corners and then trapping the ball in to generate shot opportunities. Dwight still clogged the central areas successfully, but they weren’t able to clear the lines as well or sustain any possession. And LREI were able to push up the field as a unit and tighten the space on their opponent. The opening goal came from this exact game state. Pressure up the field caused the ball to ping between center forward Cassidy Moskowitz and one of the Dwight centerbacks. It fell right at the defender’s foot, but her first touch was loose, and Moskowitz was there two swipe the poor touch, side step the opposing player and then hold off the challenge on her hip. She slotted the ball calmly into the far post and then wheeled away to celebrate. The goal made a huge difference in the game. 

While pressure had been building leading up to the goal, now that LREI had an advantage the Lions seemed to press even higher up the field. On either side of the break right winger Tanvi Pawar made especially good use of this space. The team looked to release her on multiple occasions. Pawar had probably her best game of the season, playing determined two-way soccer, helping win the ball deep, often in combination with Smith in the right back spot, and getting the team going forward by exploiting the space between the Dwight lines. Freshman Sookie Lee, moved into the attacking midfield spot, sat in those windows and worked to release Pawar on several occasions. Pawar created a few great chances that, but for a slightly different timing in connection between the other attackers, could easily have added to the lead.

But the Knights did add a second. Just before the hour mark left winger Finn Byrne, after a really solid first half in goal, worked hard to press the ball deep in opposition territory. Her work popped the ball free for central midfielder Alexa Leitner. In a pocket of space roughly 25 yards out and on the left side of the field Leitner struck it first time, and hit an inch perfect arcing shot that went just over the goalkeeper, and just under the crossbar. While the Knights had to defend well for the last 20, with center back Goudsmit continuing to be key to the effort throughout, that proved to be the final nail that killed any real momentum Dwight could have hoped to build. Barbosa, playing second half goalkeeper did make one absolutely spectacular save, but otherwise the final space of play was filled with mostly tame efforts from the Lions due to the team effort of the home side. 

LREI now get a couple days rest before facing NYCAL opponent Columbia Prep on Friday (4:00 pm, Randall’s Island field 72) as they begin to think about the looming playoffs. The Knights play their final league game next week on Tuesday, vs Avenues, at 3:45 at Pier 40.