5/6 Soccer Teams Continue to Improve and Have Strong Showings

The Portledge 5/6 Girls and Boys Soccer teams took on their respective sides from Green Vale last Tuesday and the results of the contests illustrate that the Portledge teams are working hard in practice and making real headway in the sport of soccer.

The girls game ended in a 1-1 draw. 6th grader Claudia Ruiz scored the goal for the littlest Lady Panthers, thus carrying on the great athletic tradition of the Ruiz family hear at Portledge. Claudia's older sister Alyssa, who now attends Fairfield University, was arguably the best female tennis player ever to graduate from Portledge and her older brother, 8th grader Clark Ruiz, has already played a year of Varsity tennis having great success in both singles and doubles play. So it is great to see another Ruiz athlete coming up through the ranks. Something tells me she might be switching to girls Varsity tennis before too long though. In her game report Coach Reynolds also highlighted the fine play of the team's principle defenders. They are Ashley Herzig, Priyanka Ninan and Imani Sewell. This group effectively controlled a talented Green Vale offense. There is no doubt though that the team's anchor continues to be goaltender Lauren Dorsey. She turned another great performance making over 25 saves. Congratulations on the excellent play girls, and good luck in your matches with Holy Child and East Woods this coming week.

The 5/6 boys also tied their opponents from Green Vale 1-1. Patrick Byrnes scored the Portledge goal and also did a fine job as goalkeeper during one half. Coach Ronde reported that the team got great hustle from Tommy Roel and Zach Kleinwaks, and a great half of goaltending from the squad's other keeper, James Anderson. These draws with Green Vale are fine results and all the young athletes on both the girls and boys teams should be commended for their strong effort and overall enthusiasm. The 5/6 Boys will also take on Holy Child and East Woods this coming week.