It might have been a challenging, unconventional fall campaign for the Bronxville girls’ soccer team, but the ending was straight out of a storybook. On Monday, Nov. 23, a shorthanded Broncos team squared off against rival Pleasantville for the Southern Westchester Small School crown—the third title game between the two rivals in as many years—and avenged last year’s Class B finals loss, beating the top-seeded Panthers 3-1 to close out the season on a high note.
Bronxville came into Monday’s game without the services of three starters who were forced to undergo COVID-19 quarantine protocol beginning on Saturday, but head coach Don Cupertino was quick to point out that rather dwell on their misfortune, the Broncos were able to find some motivation—and an extra gear in their title game.
That was evident from the outset on Monday, as Lily Jebejian scored a pair of first half goals to put the defending state champs on their heels.
“I think it ultimately helped get them ready, like they were turning a negative into a positive,” Cupertino said. “We had to twist the lineup a bit, but they knew how important it was to start fast against a team like that.”
Pleasantville, who came into the playoffs undefeated, was able to cut into the lead just six minutes into the second half, but Bronxville keeper Milly Koenig and the Broncos’ makeshift defense were able to stave off the equalizing goal, giving Molly Krestinski the opportunity to extend the lead to 3-1 with just 11 minutes to play.
The Broncos and Panthers met in the Section I title game in both 2018 and 2019, with each team winning one game. Last season, Pleasantville topped the Broncos 3-0 en route to capturing the Class B state title.
That was a fact that weighed heavily on the minds of Bronxville’s upperclassmen, Koenig said. “We have a lot of history with them, especially coming off that defeat last season when they went on to accomplish so much,” she said. “So, to come out and come through as the underdogs, that really means a lot.”
Even though Bronxville won’t have an opportunity to continue the season in the state tournament, the Broncos were simply grateful for the chance to end their year with a win over the Panthers.
“I think even right now, I’m so happy with what we’ve been able to accomplish this year as a group and it really goes to show you how much of this game is mental,” Koenig said. “To go through what we’ve gone through and still come out on top, it just shows how strong we are as a program.”
