Girls soccer: 2023 Section 1 tournament preview, predictions, info to know
Section 1 is ready to kick off the postseason. With section titles back up for grabs and passageway to the NYSPHSAA Tournament at stake, here is a breakdown of the upcoming tournament, with players and teams to watch, along with championship predictions:
Class AAA
Built to win it all: There's plenty of parity up top, but Arlington has the championship pedigree and continuity to go all the way once again. The Admirals have won section titles in six of the last seven seasons, and no matter who graduates or who is injured, they always find a way to finish on top. Their overall defense has been impressive, and the Admirals' back line have helped them compile shutouts in 14 of 16 games.
Good enough to go deep: North Rockland has taken a big step forward this season and will be firmly in the running. It has great balance across its lineup and a loaded back line that is versatile enough to make an impact at other positions if needed. Scarsdale reached the section finals last season for the first time since 2005, and with plenty of returners back, there's a good chance the Raiders make it back once again. If there was a time to lose, it was right before the postseason, and expect them to be fired up after back-to-back overtime losses in the final week of the season.
Not going down without a fight: After a rocky 1-4 start, John Jay-East Fishkill sped up the rebuilding process and found a groove, finishing 7-2-1 the rest of the way. New Rochelle has had an up-and-down year, but has the playmakers that can stir up some upsets. Also keep an eye on Ossining and White Plains. The league rivals have had some great battles this season, but they've also been right behind top contenders and have had great regular seasons. These four teams should not be taken lightly.
MVP candidates: Ivy Boockvar, Sr., MF/F, Scarsdale; Jordan Ford, So., MF, White Plains; Kaleigh Horos, Jr., MF, John Jay-East Fishkill; Ava Jordan, Sr., F, John Jay-East Fishkill; Allison Kahn, Jr., F, Scarsdale; Kayla Kalbaugh, Sr., GK, Arlington; Adrienne Kantrowitz, Sr., F, Ossining; Ella Kincheloe, Jr., D, White Plains; Megan McGovern, Sr., D/MF, North Rockland; Kayla Medora, Sr., D, North Rockland; Alex Rivera, Sr., F, New Rochelle; Elahe Sherrell, Sr., MF, Scarsdale; Sofia Soares, Jr., MF, Ossining; Caroline Tomas, Sr., D, North Rockland; Michelle Zuniga, Jr., D, Ossining
And the winner is: Arlington. Top three seeds Arlington, North Rockland and Scarsdale will advance to the final four. White Plains has had Ossining's number this season, and while it's difficult to beat a team three times, the Tigers just seem to know how to dispatch the Pride. From there, Arlington and North Rockland will meet in an epic Class AAA finals, where the Admirals finish on top.
Up next: The winner will head on the road and play the Section 4 Class AAA champion (Binghamton area) at a location, date and time that is still to be determined.
Class AA
Built to win it all: Expectations were high for Somers once the new classifications were released, and the Tuskers have lived up to the hype. After a perfect 16-0 regular season, they'll look to finish it with a sectional title and move beyond that.
Good enough to go deep: Yorktown and Horace Greeley haven't faced each other this season, but they're on a collision course to meet in the semifinals with a trip to the title game on the line. The Quakers have been consistent winners over the last several years, but they'll be determined to break through to the finals after coming up short against Mahopac in past years. As for Yorktown, the Huskers have only gotten better as the season unfolds. There was a bit of an adjustment period to start under new head coach Ryan Langkafel, but they've been hitting their stride in the second half.
Not going down without a fight: Harrison is heating up with a seven-game winning streak that includes a recent marquee win over Scarsdale. Mahopac is back on track after hitting a rough midseason patch, and went unbeaten through its final five games, which includes a scoreless draw with Arlington. Lastly, watch out for Suffern. The Mounties are 11-4 after a couple of rebuilding years and will hope to make this season count.
MVP candidates: Julia Arbelaez, Jr., F, Somers; Mia Boda, Sr., MF, Harrison; Michaela Fay, So., F, Suffern; Kaitlyn Judge, Sr., MF, Yorktown; Fiona Kelleher, So., MF, Mahopac; Annie Maguire, Sr., MF, Somers; Julianna Mangione, Sr., MF, Mahopac; Jordan McMorrow, Jr., D, Somers; Ingrid Murphy, So., F, Harrison; Ciara O'Brien, Sr., GK, Yorktown; Tiana Righetti, Jr., MF, Somers; Lauren Singer, Jr., GK, Horace Greeley; Emily Hametz, Jr., D, Horace Greeley; Esme Weiss, Jr., MF, Horace Greeley; Parker Yates, Jr., D, Harrison
And the winner is: Top four seeds − Somers, Harrison, Yorktown and Horace Greeley − all advance. Rivals Somers and Yorktown meet in an epic clash for the title. It's not easy going undefeated, but after falling short in the semifinals last season, Somers settles its unfinished business and continues its unbeaten streak into the state tournament.
Up next: The winner will head on the road and play the Section 4 Class AA champion (Binghamton area) at a location, date and time that is still to be determined.
Class A
Built to win it all: With plenty of returners from last year's state title-winning team, Albertus Magnus is the clear front-runner to repeat as section champs. The Falcons are undefeated and unscored upon against Section 1 competition.
Good enough to go deep: Rye is riding into the postseason with plenty of momentum. It closed the regular season with 10 straight victories, including a final week that included shutout wins over top 10-ranked teams Tappan Zee, Pearl River and Arlington. The Garnets last loss was a 1-0 result to Albertus Magnus. While they may have taken recent losses to the Garnets, Pearl River and Tappan Zee have the pieces and stalwart defense to go far. The Pirates and Dutchmen are stingy, scrappy and will be a challenge for any opposing team.
Not going down without a fight: Defending Class B state champ Irvington won't go down easily. The Bulldogs are tough to gauge, since they've mostly played a Class B schedule due to their league, but they have half of their team back from last season's historic run. Also watch out for Pelham, who overcame a shaky start and finished 9-2-1, with both losses coming from Rye. The Pelicans have several multi-year starters, and a skilled goalkeeper in Kaitlyn Howell.
MVP candidates: Grace Burns, Sr., MF, Albertus Magnus; Gabby Chan, Sr., F, Albertus Magnus; Niki DeNardo, Sr., F, Irvington; Amelia Dougherty, Jr., F, Byram Hills; Eve Girardi, So., F, Tappan Zee; Brooke Habinowski, Sr., D, John Jay-Cross River; Isabel Harvey, Sr., D/F, Rye; Kaitlyn Howell, Sr., GK, Pelham; Liv Johnsen, Jr., MF, Hen Hud; Charlotte Keenan, Fr., MF/F, Rye; Amelia Layden, Jr., D, Pearl River; Julia Lombardo, Jr., D, Albertus Magnus; Kayla McGuigan, Jr., MF, Sleepy Hollow; Maggie Murphy, Sr., MF, Albertus Magnus; Kayleigh Mula, Jr., MF/F, Lakeland; Keira Nyarady, Sr., D, Irvington; Megan O'Prey, Sr., MF, Tappan Zee; Anna Palitti, Jr., D, Tappan Zee; Tess Sirakovsky, Jr., D, Pearl River; Maddy Walsh, Sr., MF, Rye
And the winner is: Albertus Magnus hasn't lost to a Section 1 opponent since 2019, and it hasn't given up a goal to local opposition in two years. The Falcons will soar above a final four field that also includes Pearl River, Rye and Tappan Zee. For the finals, predicting the Falcons to hold off Rye in another tough battle.
Up next: The winner will play the Section 9 Class A champion on Nov. 1, 4 p.m., at Arlington High School.
Class B
Built to win it all: There's plenty of parity at the top. Bronxville, Pleasantville and Briarcliff have separated themselves from the rest and are clear contenders in Class B. They've traded wins and losses with one another throughout the regular season. It'll be a difficult playoff bracket to predict, but each of the three are built to go far and there is no shortage of intensity between them.
Good enough to go deep: Croton-Harmon had a solid start to the season, going 5-1-2 in the first half of the year. The Tigers have a standout player in Gwen McManus and secured the No. 3 seed. They stumbled a bit late, but they'll try to get back on track and crash the party.
Not going down without a fight: If Rye Neck can channel a similar effort that led to its 5-0-3 unbeaten start, it will be a tough out for Croton-Harmon. The Panthers faltered down the stretch and went 1-4-1 so far this month, but a couple of those losses came down to a couple of heartbreaking late goals. Blind Brook is another tricky team that has struggled with consistency, but it's shown some promise in an early-season win over Briarcliff and a draw with Pleasantville.
MVP candidates: Karina Bar, Sr., GK, Briarcliff; Jess Beck, Sr., F, Pleasantville; Faith Brown, Fr., MF, Pleasantville; Justine Calvetti, Jr., D, Croton-Harmon; Ayla Felenstein, Jr., D, Rye Neck; Kara Kochansky, Sr., D, Bronxville; Ava Makaron, Jr., D, Briarcliff; Sora Marable, Sr., F, Briarcliff; Gwen McManus, Sr., D, Croton-Harmon; Ava Shaw, Sr., MF, Blind Brook; Maddy Stupart, Sr., F, Bronxville; Natalie Viviano, So., D, Pleasantville
And the winner is: Top four seeds all advance to the semifinals − Briarcliff, Bronxville, Pleasantville and Croton-Harmon. Briarcliff flipped a switch since a shaky 2-4 start and hasn't lost since. The Bears will meet rival Pleasantville in the finals and hold them off in a close match for the crown.
Up next: The winner will play the Section 9 Class B champion at a Section 9 site on a date and time that is still to be determined.
Class C
Built to win it all: North Salem has emerged as a clear front-runner since dropping down to Class C. The Tigers enter the playoffs with a nine-game winning streak and has some wins against playoff-qualified Class A and B teams. Emory commit Cassie Pelosi will be difficult to contain. She'll look to add to her school goalscoring record after breaking the previous career mark of 70 goals.
Good enough to go deep: The Leffell School seems to be emerging as the challenger to North Salem. The Lions defeated Tuckahoe, 7-4, in a rematch, as they went on to close out the regular season with a seven-game winning streak.
Not going down without a fight: Tuckahoe and Haldane will look to crash the party as the lower seeds. Freshman Brooke Matarazzo is a game-changer that has scored more than 70% of the Tigers' goals this season. As for Haldane, the Blue Devils have the championship pedigree that should not be discounted. No matter their regular season record, they've been able to make their way into the finals and have won two of the last three Section 1 Class C titles.
MVP candidates: Brooke Matarazzo, Fr., F, Tuckahoe; Cassie Pelosi, Sr., MF, North Salem; Ruby Poses, Sr., GK, Haldane; Liah Rand, Sr., MF, Leffell School
And the winner is: North Salem and Leffell School will reach the finals, where the Tigers will finish on top behind a big performance by Cassie Pelosi.
Up next: The winner will play the Section 9 Class C champion on Nov. 1, 1 p.m., at Arlington High School.
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Girls soccer: 2023 Section 1 playoff preview, picks, players to watch
