" What a Beautiful Day" / Portledge Varsity Girls and Boys Soccer Teams Travel to South Shore to Participate in Homecoming Games at Lawrence Woodmere

That phrase, " what a beautiful day" was repeated over and over by Portledge players, coaches and fans all throughout this tremendous fall afternoon. The sky was bright blue, there was a slight chill to the air, and a generally steady breeze made "football" playing conditions challenging but also perfect at the same time. As always, there was gracious hospitality extended by the LWA community as the Portledge community was invited to participate in the LWA Homecoming by sampling some of the amazing international cooking that was available, and by sharing a cup of postgame hot chocolate with some of the LWA players. The competition was excellent, as both LWA teams were determined to play strong games on their home turf. In the end, everything combined to produce some incredible soccer wrapped in the tremendous atmosphere of autumm on Long Island.

What Happened in the Girls Game?

This contest between the LWA Tigers and the Portledge Lady Panthers was not for the faint of heart. It was a physical game loaded with hard challenges and rough play. The LWA was desperate to beat a top team and Portledge was the last quality side on their schedule. The Portledge team was attempting to rebuild their momentum after a tough loss the week before at BC and was committed to plaing a great game. The play went back and forth with both teams throwing themselves into the attack. Twice, during the first part of the first half, the LWA girls jumped out to a one goal lead, but both times their marks were answered by the strong right foot of Sophomore winger Ashley Wade. Wade's first response came off of an Alex Siwiec cross that feisty winger banged home from about ten yards out. Wade's second goal, that evened the score at two, was a right footed blast from about twenty five yards out that just caught the top corner of the net. On this play Wade was set free by a beautiful pass from Junior midfielder Claudia Rogers. Rogers was a fantastic player all day for the blue & white as she dominated the midfield with great tackles before moving back to sweeper to close out the game. Sometimes lost in the noteriety extended to the main goal scorers Claudia Rogers is the heart and soul of the Portledge girls soccer team. She plays wherever Coach Coope needs her to play and always gives an incredible effort. She is also tough as nails. Afact that was proved went she limped off the field afgter the last whistle because of the huge bruise on her leg. Yet as time had wound down, you would never have known she was injured in any way. LWA continued to assert themselves and eventually took a 3-2 lead into half time. In the second frme the Portledge girls came raoring back with goals by Junior Striker Addie Reilly and Senior captain Alex Siwiec. Then, with Rogers sweeping up in the back and some great goaltending by Junior Chelsea Estevez, the Lady Panthers held off one Tigers charge after another to secure an extremely hard fought 4-3 win. Second place and home field in the play offs is on the line when the Portledge girls next play on Wed, Oct 22nd v. Staten Island Academy @ HOME (4:00PM).

How Was the Match b/w the Portledge and LWA Varsity Boys Soccer Teams?

This match was one of speed and generally less physical tham the earlier Varsity Girls game. Twice during the first half Portledge's amazing Senior striker Trevor Wolfson took off on incredibly fast runs down the right side. The first of these ended with a little slip pass to a wide open Nic Leask in front of the LWA goal, which the calm,cool Sophmore midfielder easily deposited in the Tiger's net for a 1-0 Panther lead. Wolfson's second daring dash down the right came in the half's closing minute and culminated with a right footed blast the found the far side lower corner of the LWA goal and gave Portledge a 2-0 half time lead. The many Portledge fans in attendance saw more of the same in the second half as once again Wolfson freed himself with a freshly paced run down the right wing. This time the Senior captain's beautiful cross found left side midfielder Ashwin Chinchwadkar charging the far post and the result was Chichwadkar volley that made the score Portledge 3 and LWA 0. Thhe sides traded attacks over the last 3o minutes with each team netting one strike for a final score of 4-1 in the Panther's favor. This was a big win that built great momentum going into a hige week that would see the Portledge Varsity Boys Soccer team secure first place during IPPSAL regular season play and win the Portledge Invitational Soccer Tournament for the first time in over a decade.

Answer Regarding Question About Portledge v. Friends Soccer Game

The soccer game played b/w Portledge School and Friends Academy on Monday, Oct 6th was scheduled as a Varsity Boys Soccer match. It was scheduled by the Athletic Directors of both schools and counted as a regular season game that should be accounted for in the teams final overall records. I have no knowledge of who is a starter, and who is not a starter on the Friends Academy Varsity Boys Soccer team. All I know is that the team that came to Portledge that day was NOT the Friends Academy JV Boys Soccer team. Before the game, the Friends Academy Varsity coach did say that he would be playing his reserves more than usual, and, of course, that is his right and perogative to do so. Still, the game was scheduled, considered and reported as a Varsity match, as it should.

The tradition of this blog is that all comments be signed so as to make sure that all statements remain accurate and in the positive nature of independent school sports. That being said, I would ask whoever 27 is, to refrian from posting anything that has a contentious or adversarial tone. A simple congratulations Varsity Boys Soccer would be fine.