Monday, December 2, 2024
Freeport girls’ soccer entered the final week of the regular season with a chance to complete a second straight winning campaign
A 3-0 win at Sewanhaka on Tuesday moved the Red Devils to 5-4-4 in Conference AA5 with one match left. Freeport has been competitive in nearly every match this season producing four ties and three of its losses have come by a single goal.
“I think we're still heading in a really good direction,” said second-year head coach Mark Andrejack “We are on a really good trajectory and a lot of good things have been happening this year.”
The Sewanhaka win featured a collective effort from the offense with goals by Jerelyn Arevalo, Allison Lazo and Linda Blanco. Brianna Carbajal Valdez and Sabrina Ligonde tallied assists in the convincing win.
Tuesday’s Sewanhaka victory was preceded by a 3-0 home triumph against Hempstead on Oct. 9 that featured two goals and an assist from Arevalo. Madelyn Perez also shined with a one goal and an assist while junior goalie Sonia Chavez recorded six saves in net.
The Red Devils are in position for another winning season after going 7-6-1 last year in large part due to the backline, which has held opposing teams to a goal or less in eight matches. Andrejack credited junior Ava Smith with taking on an increased role in the defensive effort this season with a unit that also includes seniors Ashley Zavala, Elsy Soriano and Carbajal Valdez.
The offense has also been finding its footing led up top by junior Maria Portela, Ligonde, a sophomore and Arevalo, who is shining on varsity as an eighth grader. Ligonde registered three goals in a 5-0 win against Sewanhaka on Sept. 17.
The midfield has played an integral role in the scoring this season with senior Madelyn Perez and sophomore Rebecca Hernandez, who is shining on the wing after starting on junior variety last fall. Hernandez scored a key goal in Freeport’s 1-1 tie with Elmont on Oct. 5.
“Rebecca has been setting up a lot of scores and had some big goals for us,” Andrejack said. “We're really happy with her development and improvement throughout the year.”
Andrejack credits the leadership of his upperclassmen for positioning Freeport for a winning season. The team features four captains in seniors Zavala and Perez along with juniors Dorla Miguel and Portela.
Freeport closes the regular season on Thursday at home against Uniondale starting at 5 p.m. with a win clinching a winning record that Andrejack hopes lays the foundation for successful seasons going forward.
“The major key for us is going to be playing our game, doing the things that we focus on and doing the little things like playing the ball to the correct places that we want to get to,” Andrejack said. “As long as we play our game, keep doing the things that we've been working on, we'll find some success.”
