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State-Ranked Haldane Soccer Reels Off Consecutive Wins
Blue Devils seek to defend title with dignity
by Ray Gallagher
 | | Haldane's Michelle Markey (22) takes one on the chin as teammate Emily Marsh looks on in the Blue Devils' 6-3 win over visiting Pawling last Wednesday. |
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Emily Marsh deftly made way across the St. Basil's Academy soccer pitch like it was her own back yard last Wednesday. The Haldane High junior bagged a hat trick and set up a fourth goal, thus figuring in on four of the six tallies during the Blue Devils' 6-3 win over visiting Pawling. She now sports a running total of six goals and seven assists
Teammate Megan Rohan, a superbly talented freshman, was clutch as well, scoring twice and setting up a third marker as the state-ranked (No. 20) Blue Devils broke open a 2-1 game with four second-half goals. Keeper Alex Milner, a junior, was between the pipes, chalking up the win for Haldane, which improved to 5- 4-1 overall after taking out visiting Dover last Friday by a 6-0 count. The week ended on a sour note, though, a 4-1 loss to Class B heavyweight Nanuet, which improved to 12-1-1 overall. Nanuet has outscored it opponents 47-8 this season, so the fact that Haldane hung tough for more than a half (down 2- 1) bodes well for their Class C fortunes.
Against Dover, O'Malley and Rohan (1 assists) each popped a pair between the pipes while Marsh dished two assists and scored another as the Blue Devils took a 5-0 lead into the break. Jackie DeRosa added a marker. Milner and Cassie Barcavage combined to stop nine shots for the shutout, the fourth of the season for the Blue Devils.
Haldane's four losses this season have come against three of Section 1's top programs. The Blue Devils have been beaten twice by a tough, stateranked (No.11) North Salem outfit, which sports a 10-1-1 mark after coming down to Class C this season. The other losses were to a good Croton (4-2) squad and a state-ranked Nanuet club (No.15 in Class B).
Coach Erik Risher has been thrilled with the development of his Blue Devil squad and hopes the unit can continue to improve in order to defend its Class C championship with the dignity worthy of Haldane girl's sports. Tradition dictates that the Lady Blue Devils are sound across the board when it comes to sports, and Risher believes he's laid the groundwork for a bountiful soccer program. However, just like last season when Rye Neck defeated Haldane twice during the regular season, the Blue Devils have a nemesis in North Salem standing between themselves and a championship encore. A repeat performance hinges on another strong finish like last season (8-6-2), which did not conclude until the regional state semifinals in a 3-1 loss to Seward, after an overtime victory against Rye Neck in the sectional finals.
"North Salem is like our Rye Neck of last year; a team that beat us twice in the regular season, which we fully expect to see again in the Class C championship," said Risher, who has coached many of these current Blue Devils as far back as the second grade and has a team photo on the fridge to prove it. "I look at the girls now and look at them when they were little peanuts, and I can't believe how long we've been together. From the Philipstown Lady Knights to the Haldane varsity team, they leave it out there on the field each and every time they take it. We're playing against some top level teams now, in the hopes of being prepared for the sectional tournament."
This year, they've taken the field against Class A foes like Beacon and Cornwall, plus Class B's Nanuet and defending Class B champion Bronxville. But they might have underestimated North Salem,
"Last year, Emily would have playing down in Class C this
to be the one to break through season.
the midfield and finish what she
"It could come down to us
started," Risher said. "This year and them in the finals," Risher
she has a lethal partner in said, "and it would be tough
Megan. With Allesandra for us because we're really still
(Delmonte) and Savannah a Class D school numbers-wise
(O'Malley) joining them up going up against a team that
front, we're much better off than was in Class B last year. Win,
we were before. We can finish lose or draw, though, my girls
much better than we did in previous are ready to leave it all out there.
years when we won 1-0
"Here at Haldane, when one
or 2-1 games. This year we can group of kids succeeds, the
score. We're strong on defense, whole school and the town get
too." behind it," Risher continued.
If they score enough goals "These girls want that for the
in the playoffs, Haldane soccer school and their town. Just like
fans can expect a much when the football team wins,
better go-round the third time, we all feel like we've won.
should the Blue Devils see That's the unique thing that all
North Salem again. Might the the coaches and players love
third time be a charm, again? about Haldane sports. With the
"At a little school like girl's soccer program, we want
Haldane, we're always the it to be just like the girl's basketball
underdog," Risher said. "But team and volleyball
the support from the kids in the team... a winning tradition."
school will always be there, and
With 14 hard-working underclassmen,
now we've got both a JV team including Marsh and
and a freshmen team for the first Rohan, who has a team-high
time, so we think we're headed 12 goals, Risher has the makings
in the right direction." to build a successful program.
So do your opponents, coach.
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