Heading into the first round of playoffs with an 8-8-1 record, the 2022 Edgemont boys’ varsity soccer team had high hopes for their first game against Byram Hills. Unfortunately, those hopes came to an end after a last-minute header goal from Byram Hills at the end of a double overtime. Since then, Edgemont has moved up to Class A, where they will undoubtedly have to face tougher competition than last season.
Following a flaming preseason, the team boasts 16 returning players and 12 new recruits. In their first game of the year against a tough opponent in Tappan Zee, they fought hard but lost 3-0. Despite this loss, they kept their head high going into their next match against a talented Rye Neck team. Rye Neck gave Edgemont a tough challenge, and after an enervating 76 minutes, Rye Neck snuck a goal past the Edgemont defense giving them the win. After this loss, the boys were devastated but looked to the future and got ready for Brewster.
With two magnificent free-kick goals from Captain Lenny Jung (‘24) and a goal from Franco Do Valle (‘25), they easily took the win. After a rain delay, Edgemont was set to take on Sleepy Hollow. Following a gritty, high-tensioned game, Leny Jung put in a goal to tie the game up. Henrique Branco (‘24) stepped up and put in a last-minute goal to give Edgemont the comeback win.
Since then, they have been on a losing streak with losses to Pearl River, Pelham, Yonkers, and Eastchester. Despite the potential this team has, the 2023 Panthers have found playing in a new, more competitive league a struggle. Sitting with a current record of 2-6, it has been hard for them to gain respect. However, with familiar opponents coming up, they hope to gain back their momentum.
Captain Derek Sun (‘24) says, “This team has a lot of potential. We have a lot of returning players who are seniors now. If we just start playing well together we can win many games.” Halfway through the season and battling through injuries and exhaustion, they continue to work in the hopes of turning their season around before the playoffs roll in.
Filling the shoes of last year’s team is always going to be tough. The Edgemont girls’ varsity soccer team was outstanding last year, and they face the tall task of “running it back” in 2023. Luckily, they’ve stepped up to answer the call. The season started with a sectional finals rematch when Edgemont faced the Irvington team that knocked them out last year in a thrilling 3-1 final on Halloween weekend. On the road, the Panthers took the fight to the Bulldogs, ending up with a scoreless draw through 90 minutes, but a golden goal by Irvington got past Edgemont in the overtime period to give the Bulldogs a hard-fought win.
The Panthers rebounded, conjuring memories of last year’s dominant team with an outstanding 8-0 win against Roosevelt, and half the starting lineup was able to get involved in the goal-scoring action. Some tough home games against Walter Panas and Nyack were next up, but Edgemont held on to their home win streak, picking up back-to-back 2-1 wins while Captain Mia Kai (‘24) bagged three goals in the process.
Then came the end of that streak, with a tough loss at home to sectional favorites Rye. The Panthers responded well, as they always do, but despite most observers agreeing Edgemont played better, a great shot from outside the box gave Eastchester a 2-1 win.
Captains Fiona Stern (‘24), Iliana Dimopoulos (‘24), and Mia Kai (‘24) have been reminding the team that their 3-3 record is the same as they had last year before their huge winning streak, and motivation is at an all-time high. They now look ahead toward a huge rematch on homecoming weekend against Eastchester, as well as rivalry games against Ardsley and Pelham, hoping for some more of the magic that led last year’s team to the sectional final.