Freeport displaying quality play
Following a couple of one-goal defeats and a draw, Freeport girls’ soccer got into the win column for the first time this fall with a 1-0 victory over Hempstead last Saturday.
Sophomore Rebecca Hernandez netted the lone goal of the match and junior goalkeeper Sonia Chavez, one of few returning starters, posted the shutout and upped her save total to 30 through five games.
“We graduated a lot from last year’s team, but the seniors we have now are stepping up and we’ve mixed in some underclassmen,” coach Mark Andrejack said. “Our record so far isn’t an indication of where we’re at in terms of the level of soccer we’re playing. Our knowledge of the game has definitely expanded and the chemistry is building.”
Chavez kept the Red Devils close in losses to Malverne/East Rockaway (1-0 on Sept. 6) and Roosevelt (2-1 on Sept. 10) with some remarkable saves, Andrejack said. She made a season-high 16 stops against Malverne/East Rockaway. “She’s getting better every game and made some incredible saves in a bunch of games so far,” he said. “She’s improved in all the intricacies of the position and continues to develop.”
The defense in front of Chavez features three seniors, including captain Ashley Zavala. The group, which also includes seniors Elsy Soriano and Brianna Carbajal, and junior Ava Smith, has some varsity experience but not a ton. “It’s great to have those four in front of Sonia,” Andrejack said. “They’re working hard and working well together. It’s a group that’s going to keep improving.”
Senior Madelyn Perez is another captain and the quarterback of Freeport’s transition game at center-midfield. She brings a strong all-around skill set and leadership qualities, the coach noted. “She’s a major presence,” Andrejack said. “A lot of what we do from defense to offense goes through her.”
Hernandez, who started last season at the JV level before being promoted to the varsity pitch, is an outside midfielder along with junior Dorla Miguel, another varsity returnee and captain. The youngest member of the varsity, eighth-grader Jerelyn Arevalo, has emerged as a starter and seeing minutes at midfield and forward. “It’s a big jump from middle school to varsity in age gap alone, but she was with us all summer and brings great skill and confidence,” Andrejack said of Arevalo, who scored her first goal Sept. 7 in a loss to Baldwin.
At striker, junior captain Maria Portela scored Freeport’s first goal of 2024 and works alongside sophomore Sabrina Ligonde, who found the back of the net against Roosevelt.
“We’re developing a new identity,” Andrejack said. “We have a new assistant coach [Lauren Gates-McGee] who has a tremendous soccer background and is a huge help. There’s a lot to be excited about.”
The Red Devils will look to turn the tide on Malverne/East Rockaway and Roosevelt with rematches slated for Sept. 26 on the road and Sept. 30 at home, respectively.
