On Friday, September 14th, our Varsity Girls Soccer Team played the perennial powerhouse of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PSAA) – the Long Island Lutheran Crusaders.

Said Coach LeSueur, “Waldorf had been working extremely hard since our pre-season practices commenced on Thursday, August 23rd. During the pre-season we had been beaten by Sacred Heart Academy of Hempstead and St. Dominic’s of Oyster Bay in non-league games while we searched for the right team chemistry and tactics for our upcoming PSAA league games.”

“Drawing PSAA’s LuHi as our first PSAA league game was a challenge but was considered by the coaching staff to be a good indication of how we might perform this 2012 season.”

Waldorf was up for the challenge and the girls played one of their finest league games in many a season – the discipline and determination that had been missing in the pre-season came to the forefront. Unfortunately, Waldorf was not to have had a better result.

The first half was an evenly played match and the five back defensive alignment used by Waldorf certainly frustrated the usually potent LuHi attack as the first half ended with a 0-0 tie.

“Our girls had gained alot of confidence in themselves and the system of play and were eager to go out and capture some goals for the start of the second half,” said LeSueur. The score remained 0-0 for the majority of the second half as both sides traded offensive punches. The first goal was scored by LuHi – but not by design – as a ball shot on goal was being tracked by senior goal keeper Isabella Fraim when a deflection of the head of one of Waldorf’s defenders changed the course of the ball and it ended in the back of the Waldorf net.

The Waldorf team continued to battle, Coach LeSueur and Coach Kim changed the formation and moved some players so Waldorf could perhaps create more offensive chances and level the score. “Our players responded well,” said LeSueur, “and we did create some good scoring opportunities but failed to connect.” LuHi’s talented front striker was able to break free with under 2 minutes to play and beat Fraim with a good one on one finish. The game ended with LuHi securing a 0-2 win.

Coach LeSueur and Coach Kim gathered the squad together at the end of the game and made sure all the players knew what a great game they had played from start to finish. “They should not be discouraged as they showed what they are capable of when 100% effort is given by everyone,” said LeSueur.

There were some many personal highlights – Senior goal keeper Isabella Fraim played great and recorded 11 saves. The defensive wall of seniors Sophia Trikas, Co-Captain Carolyn Smalls, Anne Flomenhaft and stoppers Jaclyn Proctor (junior) and Lexie Van Zant (senior) played fantasticly. The midfield of senior Co-Captain Katarina D’Ercole, Mikayla VerPault (sophomore), and Ajanai Miller-Randolph (junior) played outstandingly at both ends of the field. Junior strikers Marianna Paone (junior) and Sofia Trikas (junior) were fantastic throughout the match; their skills and energy were exemplary.

“Substitute players did a remarkable job too: freshman right fullback Naytasha Jackowicz, freshman front midfielder Skyla Davis, and freshman striker Sophia Patino all showed why they will be impact players as the season progresses.