Varsity Girls Tennis Stands at 3 Wins and 3 Losses

The VGT team is quietly having a strong rebuilding year. The girls have continued the tradition of fine play in IPPSAL Girls Tennis by volleying their way to 3-0 league mark. Solid singles play from Ellen Huai, Elizabeth Girgenti and Siena Falino has led the way, while the doubles teams of Rachael Scheinman-Maria Wade and Stephanie Hegarty-Robyn Worrall have also been strong. Senior Sonali Marfatia fills in where needed and freshmen Tori Phillips and Ali James give the team some depth for the future. In non league matches against Rye Country Day (twice) and Dwight the girls are 0-3, however, the individual games were much closer the second time the Panthers took on RCD. Hopefully this illustrates the improvement in the Portledge Varsity Girls Tennis team. Congratulations and thanks to the Head Coach, Mr. Henry Stay, and to his assistant Mrs. Rigg, who also runs the IM program, for all their efforts on behalf of girls tennis at Portledge.

7/8 Soccer Teams Play Great Games With Buckley and the Girls Get their First Win Against LWA

The 7/8 Girls and Boys Soccer teams both played twice this past week. On Tuesday the opponents were from the Buckley School of Roslyn, NY and on Thursday came some road contests v. the 7/8 sides of Lawrence Woodmere.

What Kind of Week Did the 7/8 Girls Have.
This was a strong week for the 7/8 Girls Soccer team. Against a talented team from Buckley they played very well, even though the score was 3-1 for Buckley. The great thing about this game was the sportsmanship from both sides. When the game was over both teams gave each other a rousing cheer and many of the Portledge girls remarked about how much they enjoyed the match. Positive experiences like these are why interscholastic competition can be a fantastic vehicle for the promotion of the private school experience. My personal congratulations go out to Miss Nugent and her 7/8 Portledge Girls Soccer team and to Chris Jenne and the 7/8 Girls team from Buckley. Well Done by all!

Thursday was also a big day for the 7/8 girls. They traveled to the South Shore to take on Lawrence Woodmere and returned home with their first victory of the year. The score was 3-1 and, according to coach Nugent, the entire team played well. This team is starting to develop nicely as it gets more game experience. They will have to keep this positive momentum going because next week they face Green Vale on Tuesday and then participate in the LIAAIS Schoolgirl Soccer Tournament at East Woods on Friday. Way to go girls and good luck in your upcoming contests.

How bout the 7/8 Boys?
It was a terrific effort by the 7/8 boys against Buckley on Tuesday. In one of the best all around 7/8 boys games I've seen in the last few years the two teams battled each other up and down the field for the entire 60 minutes. The soccer was flowing and creative, while the tackling was hard but clean. At the end of this 1-1 draw both sides had an appreciation and respect for their opponents, as well as a feeling of satisfaction about their own play. For Portledge, midfielders Ted Hagerty and Brendan McGovern, aka "The Gov", were fantastic. They both consistently thwarted Buckley attacks before they could threaten the Panther net. On defense Eric Diamataris was strong as usual, and dynamic left back "TJ" Roberts might have been the most significant player on the whole field. Portledge answered an early Buckley tally by finishing off a great cross from speedy winger Joe Sartori. Matt Crockett's initial attempt glanced off the post but an opportunistic Justin Starrantino was there to knock in the rebound. As in every big game this season Ian Estevez was outstanding in the goal.

On Thursday the 7/8 boys also traveled to LWA. Many starters were left behind as the coaches rotated a host of 7th graders into the line up. It was a good experience for the younger players in the 7/8 program as they took on an excellent side from LWA. The strong Portledge effort was nor enough though as LWA, led by two exceptional players, triumphed by a score of 3-0. Still, all in all, this was a great week for the 7/8 boys. Way to go guys- good luck against Green Vale on Tuesday and in the LIAAIS Tournament.

JV Girls and Boys Soccer Both Play Great Games

The JV soccer teams both took to the field this week and their performances were excellent. The boys played the Varsity team from Kew Forest, while the girls traveled to Brooklyn to face the Varsity team from Brooklyn Friends.

What Happened in the JV Boys Game v. Kew Forest?
Although the final result was not in favor of the Portledge side, the effort and play of the JV boys was outstanding. The team kept their shape beautifully and created several excellent scoring chances in this 2-0 loss to the Kew Forest Varsity. The defense was anchored by Ben Shapiro and Blake Martin in the middle, with Chris Gerry and Henry Stallings on the wings. This group did a fine job in front of the two goalies, Niko Snow and Ben Lobley, each of whom played a half. A quartet of strong players, led by Paul Maalouf and Steven Dourmashkin, with support from Bashir Desgrottes and Dan Duffy, helped Portledge control the midfield for extended periods of the game.

Although the forward trio of Anthony Pergola, Matteo Trentini and Dan Greenstein did not manage to put any scores in the KF net, it wasn't for a lack of effort. There was some great chances and some neat passing plays generated by these fine young players. This team is fun to watch because they leave it all out on the field and never seem to give anything but their best effort. Next week the JV boys will take on the Friends Academy Varsity Reserves on Tuesday, and the full Varsity side of the Knox School on Wednesday. Good luck guys, and keep up the strong effort!

How Did the JV Girls Team Do In Their Game Against Brooklyn Friends?
A 1-1 draw was an excellent result for the JV girls in their game with BF. Sophomore Marian Juste scored the Portledge goal and the word is that Hope Mulry played a great game in goal. The young Lady Panthers were winning 1-0 as the game was entering the final few minutes, but a goal mouth scramble opened the way for the BF girls to tie the score. Tatiana Parris was strong in the midfield, and Juniors Leah Heffernan and Haley Tynes were very solid on defense.
After losing their first two games the JV girls were quite upbeat about this result, which came against a full Varsity side. Congratulations girls and good luck in your future contests.

5/6 Soccer Teams Begin to Experience Competition

The 5/6 Girls and Boys Soccer teams have begun to participate in interscholastic play days. The competition has been of varied degrees as the Portledge sides have taken on the respective "A" sides of Green Vale and Buckley, and have also had a match with the Buckley "B" sides. This has led to the young Portledge athletes experiencing all types of athletic results in that they were a bit over matched by the "A" teams from our local private school rivals, but were superior to their "B" side opponents.

Particularly impressive among the early Portledge "kickers" are Patrick Byrnes, James Anderson, Alexander Meshel, Zach Kleinwaks and the incredible Ronel Juste. On the girls side, the play of Lauren Dorsey, Wendy Falourd, Madeline Murray and Elizabeth Gahagan has stood out. One of the most important aspects of this program is that the young athletes gain the experience of playing in real athletic contests with all their various components- travel, uniforms, referees, etc, etc. Congratulations to the 5/6 coaches, Mr. Ronde and Mr. O'Rourke for the boys and Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Woll for the girls, on creating the perfect environment for the development of our young athletes.

Varsity Cross Country Off to a "Running" Start.

There is something exhilarating about the start of a x-country race. The gun goes off and 60 or more runners take off on a 5km dash that calls for speed, endurance, fortitude and smarts. As they near the first entrance to the woods the pack starts to spread out and form a long single file line. Later on in the race, gaps develop and the pace slows a bit, but oh that start. It really gets the blood going.

How Did the Portledge Runners Do in the First IPPSAL Race?
The answer to that is fantastic! Sophomore Delphine Starr finished first overall among the female runners. Starr ran a great race, pacing herself early, the overtaking the other girls at some point during the second tour around the course. It was a real honor to win this inaugural female race in IPPSAL Cross Country, so hats off to Delphine and a hearty Congratulations from HEY HILLS.
The rest of the Portledge runners also ran very well. Head Coach Dr.Sarles was quite happy with the entire team's performance. Even though he has been struggling with injury a bit during training, Junior Adam Kravietz displayed his experience and placed among the top ten boys. The next meet is on Wed, Oct 10th @ Eisenhower Park. Run Panthers Run!

Facutly Fan of the Month

The Athletic Department would like to recognize Mr. Greene as FACULTY FAN OF THE MONTH. If you went to one of the boys or girls soccer games you most likely saw him mixed in with the enthusiastic Portledge supporters eagerly cheering on the players. Thank you Mr. Greene for all your support over the month of September!!

Founders Day Varsity Soccer Matches Live Up To Billing

The cloudless electric blue sky matched the trim of the Portledge Varsity Girls and Boys Soccer jerseys as they warmed up for their respective Founders Day contests against the Varsity teams from Lawrence Woodmere Academy. All involved knew that these would be some great matches and that the results would go a long way in determining the look of both the PSAA Girls Soccer League and IPPSAL Division I Boys Soccer. The games did not disappoint, and those in attendance were treated to some great "football".

What Happened in the Varsity Girls Match?
Right from the opening whistle the Portledge girls took to the offensive against the very tough and well disciplined side from LWA. The Lady Panthers had several great scoring chances early in the game as wingers Alex Siwiec and Chelsea Caracciolo consistently turned their defenders and drove in on goal. The unlucky bounces that had plagued the team in their last match against Columbia Prep continued though, as one Portledge attempt after another seemed to dance along the goal line, but not enter the net. Then, in a deflating blow, which definitely came against the run of play, LWA'S fantastic forward Domonique Robinson blew by the Portledge defense and fed a perfect pass to an unmarked winger who deposited the ball in the back of the Portledge net. Before the Portledge girls could regain their composure, Robinson was off again. This time she evaded several defenders on a dash down the right side and slotted a perfect shot past the Portledge keeper, Chelsea Estevez, giving the defending league champs a 2-0 lead. Portledge continued to control possession, but had little to show for it as the first half ended with the aforementioned score in place.
After a rising pep talk from assistant coach Kelly Luken, the Lady Panthers took the field for the second half determined to break their scoring drought and show the LWA team that they were a force to be reckoned with, not only on this afternoon, but later on down the road and quite possibly in the PSAA Girls Soccer Play-Offs. Portledge immediately pressed the play and before to long the home side was consistently drawing corner kicks down in the LWA penalty area. Finally, the girls broke through as Sophomore Addie Reilly banged in a loose ball from in front of the LWA goal. Suddenly the game was alive once again and the Portledge side pressed hard for the equalizer. The champs held off some furious Panther attcks though, and eventually demonstrated why they are so tough. After Portledge was called for a foul just outside the area
but all the way in the corner, the LWA captain and #9 stepped up and sent a beautiful direct kick into the corner of the Portledge goal, thus reestablishing the 2 goal lead. The Lady Panthers were not done yet though, and more players pushed forward in an attempt to once again draw close to their rivals from the South Shore. As time was winding down, Freshman winger Ashley Wade made a nice shielding move to free herself down the right side. Wade then sent a well struck cross into the area where Caracciolo drove the "rock" into the LWA net. The game was on again as the Portledge girls tried once more to draw even as the final minutes eroded. In the end, however, the strong Lady Panther effort was not enough, and the final whistle blew as the LWA girls celebrated a well earned and hard fought 3-2 win.
The Portledge Varsity Girls Soccer team definitely illustrated that they have the capability to play with what is arguably the best team in the PSAA league. It will be important for the girls to regain their focus and restore their energies before a huge game with Berkeley Carroll this coming Thursday. Hope to see you fans at what is always one of the best matches of the year!

How Did the Varsity Boys Soccer Team Do?
Coach Kevin Coleman has the VBS team on a roll. Coming off of an emotional 1-0 victory over LuHi earlier in the week, the Panthers were ready to state their case as the top boys soccer team in IPPSAL Division I. The LWA Varsity Boys team usually has something to say about such a statement though. Thus, the stage was set for what turned out to be a fine display of skill and teamwork from both these fine sides.
The key to this game was to be found in the midfield. Portledge Senior captain Ray Weinmann returned from his ankle injury to dominate the center of the field. He was supported by some fine play from outside half Nick Leask, and through some excellent and hard nosed defending from Junior Renny Kraft. Because of an injury to starting Senior back Alain Mathieu, the line-up had been shuffled a bit and Kraft had moved into the stopper spot. He excelled at his knew position and certainly was an important part of the eventual Portledge victory. Also key was the contribution of Sophomore Mark Dourmashkin,who vacated his stopper spot in favor of Kraft, so that he could to take the place of the injured Mathieu on the back line. Dormashkin combined with the other backs, Aaron Lee, Mike McCloskey and Vishal Chinchwadkar to form an impenetrable wall in front of the Portledge net. The only goal of the game came late in the first half as Portledge striker Trevor Wolfson broke through the LWA defense and perfectly slotted a shot past the keeper to put the Panthers in front.
Throughout the game the Portledge side demonstrated some excellent ball control, and their classy possession game frustrated the LWA team. If the Panthers can continue to improve and maintain their "teamwork", they certainly have the potential to win an IPPSAL crown in Division I Boys Soccer. There is a long way to go though, and the Panthers face two tough road tests this week against Solomon Schechter and OSNA. GO PATHERS!

Were There Any Other Soccer Games Played On Founders Day?
The response to this query is a big YES! After all the commotion had died down and most Portledge families had left the campus for the day, the most imporant soccer game of the year took place. This was the Annual Alumni-Faculty Game played on Founders Day afternoon every year. Although there were only a few fans in attendance, the competition was just as hot as the games played earlier in the day by current Portledge students. You see, the alumni don't like to lose to the faculty, and the faculty have never beaten the alumni, but are determined to one day do so. This is a no holds barred all out affair!
Like most years the faculty came out with some slick passing early on. Midfielders Mr. Coleman
and Mr.Lewis controlled the play, and just before half time yours truly sent a left footed rocket past the alums keeper, Walter Roll, and into the "back of the ol' onion bag". The inevitable collapse was not far off though. During the second half the dynamic sister-brother duo of Naomi and Julian Daniels took over the game. By the time Naomi, a former All MAAC Division I player at Loyola University, fired a 40 yard blast past the helpless Mr Sandoval to put the alums up3-1, the faculty was done. All retired to the Powers Courtyard for food and refreshments and the faculty was once again left to ponder,"when will we ever beat these guys". Well just like the Mets-there is always next year!