Bon Vite/ A Great Match Is Played

The opening game of the NYSAISAA Boys Soccer Tournament was an incredible contest between Portledge School and the Lycee Francais School of NYC. It was filled with attacking "football" and flowing play, as well as hard tackling and determined defending. All of the players on both sides gave it there all, and anyone who watched the match was treated to some of the finest soccer ever played on Sawyer Field.

How Did This Match Unfold?

Before the crowd could even get settled the Portledge Panthers were on the attack. Soon Junior Trevor Wolfson pounced on a loose ball in the midfield area and headed down the left side. As he approached the 18 yard box, Wolfson made a sharp cut to his right freezing the LFNY defender coming across to shut him down. Momentarily free to look up and see the net, Wolfson released a howling blast the pierced the air with a whizzing sound before crashing into the back netting of the LFNY goal. Portledge was up 1-0 and seemed to be playing with great confidence. The enthusism of the Panthers took a hit though when LFNY side evened the score in the 29th minute. The goal came off a set piece to the right of the Portledge goal. The #9 of LFNY displayed great skill as he flicked a loose ball over the head of the on rushing Portledge keeper, Austin Prey. With the score now tied, it looked as if the teams would head into the break even at 1, but a huge play in the game would take place in the closing minutes of the half. After some skillful passing in the midfield, LFNY found an unexpected opening in the Portledge defense. All of a sudden an LFNY attacker was loose at the 18 with the ball at his feet. Once again Prey tried to challenge only to see a perfectly lofted ball go over his head and into the Panther net. Trailing 2-1 at half Portledge would need some solid defending and creative offense to pull off the upset.

The second half was hard fought to say the least. The play was fast and furious as the ball traveled from end to end with incredible speed. Portledge keeper, Austin Prey, made a highlight reel save to keep the Panthers close, but no matter what they tried the Portledge boys couldn't crack the LFNY defense. As the final whistle blew and the Portledge season came to an end, one could not be anything but happy for the Portledge team. They had erased the sour memory of playing less than a great game in being upset during the IPPSAL Tournament by putting forth an outstanding effort against a very good team from LFNY. So congratulations guys, thanks to the Seniors, and let's get ready for another shot at IPPSAL and the NYSAISAA Tournament next year.

Rekindled Memories of Days Gone By/ How You Get Shown the Light in the Strangest of Places if You Look at it Right

There was an air of anticipation floating over the Portlege grounds this past Wednesday night. The state soccer playoffs were scheduled to start the next day and the Portledge Varsity Boys team was to take on the Lycee Francais School of NYC on Sawyer Field. Thus, the field needed some preparation and care before we called it a day and went home. So Mr. Coope and myself filled up the paint machines with some environmentally friendly field marking paint and headed up to the pitch. It was late and had turned very cold as the darkness descended over Portledge, however, to my surprise there were sounds coming from the field. As we came closer we realized that it was a lone athlete taking shots at the far goal. We couldn't make the player out at first, but soon we saw it was Senior Ray Wienmann. Ray is the captain of the boys soccer team and he was getting in some final prep for the big game that was to come the next day. Somehow, as it became darker and darker, and I watched the young man shoot the ball into the goal and retrieve it for another attempt, I found myself oddly jealous of the his focus and commitment. You see, Ray was playing the game in his mind a full 24 hours before kick off and all of a sudden it became so clear. There it was... the enthusiasm,optimism and opportunity of youth. Whatever the next day's result would be, Ray was going to have a real experience participating, and the day would probably create a memory that would always stay with him. Fond memories of my own playing days quickly rushed through my head. Eventually, I thought about the games I had played on this very field, and a kind of peace settled over my contemplations. With a wry smile I remembered something someone had said not too long ago while I was attending a ceremony honoring past accomplishments. The speaker was discussing life, when they uttered the phrase,
"always look back, but never stare". So I regained focus on the task at hand, made a mental wish of good luck to Ray, and began thinking about the opportunities the future holds for all of us.