If the Haldane High School girls’ soccer team learned anything from its season opener at Putnam Valley on Tuesday (Oct. 13), it’s that the Class C, Section 1 title is theirs for the taking if they step it up in this oddball, pandemic-shortened season.
Haldane comes into this Twilight Zone riding a streak of nine consecutive Section 1 titles, and North Salem, whom the Blue Devils will host on Tuesday (Oct. 20), could be a potential roadblock to No. 10.
On Tuesday at Putnam Valley, the teams played to a scoreless tie after regulation and a 20-minute overtime in large part because of Haldane keeper Ruby Poses, a freshman who came up big in her first varsity start, making 14 saves and keeping the Blue Devils in the game.
“Ruby played with a lot of confidence and deserved the shutout,” said Coach Steve Schweikhart.
“It was a game of strength-versus-strength,” he said. “Our back line of Mazzie Maxwell, Bianca Harmancin, Ella Ashburn and Essie Florke is the backbone of our team. They held up well against a Putnam Valley team that has a lot of speed, skill and physicality up front. It was fun to watch. Considering we only have 14 girls and had no opportunity to scrimmage, I thought the girls did well playing for the first time as a unit of 11.”
The coach said he thought both teams adapted well to the COVID-19 protocols, including wearing masks during game play.
“It was impressive to see the girls battle for 100 minutes in masks,” he said. “When the final whistle blew, Coach [Nicole] Ryan [of Putnam Valley] and I couldn’t help but be proud of our teams.”
Haldane lost 5-1 at Hendrick Hudson on Thursday (Oct. 15). After hosting North Salem, the team will travel to Croton-Harmon on Oct. 22.
Beacon 8, Peekskill 0
The Bulldogs dominated in their season opener at home. Kasey Senior and Reilly Landisi each had two goals, and Maddie Bobnick, Chelsea DerBoghossian, Rory LaDue and Devyn Kelly each scored.
