More than a game: Girls soccer rivals joining forces for a greater cause

When the Pleasantville and Briarcliff girls soccer teams receive their schedules each season, the first games they are quick to highlight are the home-and-home series against their neighbors.

The Panthers and Bears are usually in contention for the Class B girls soccer sectional title each year, and there's plenty of familiarity not only due to proximity, but also because of the many heated battles between them that have taken place in other sports as well, whether it be on a basketball court, lacrosse fields or the diamond.

They're set to renew their rivalry at 7 p.m. Friday at Pace University, but this one will be much more than a game. While they may clash on the pitch, both sides will be coming together to promote the Break The Hold foundation, which advocates for suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

"It's such a big rivalry, but this is more than that, it's a great opportunity for our two teams because we fight so hard against each other on the field and this means so much more that we're joining together and working together to fundraise and support such a great cause," Pleasantville senior Rowan Capko said. "It's a big game for the both of us, and the fact that we get to dedicate it to BTH just means so much more. We're using this rivalry to spread the organization's message."

The feeling is mutual.

"Even though we're really competitive and we have major differences, we can come together and make a positive impact for this cause," Briarcliff senior Sora Marable said. "It's a really important topic in today's society. BTH, the whole charity is really important, mental health is something that requires a lot of attention, and I'm just really excited to play in this game. We're both very passionate teams."

A cause close to home

The Pleasantville community has had several tragedies over the last decade when it comes to suicides among the student body and alumni.

One such tragedy, the death of 2017 graduate Brian Halloran, inspired the creation of the Break The Hold foundation, which was named to bear his initials. He was 19 years old and a freshman at the University of South Carolina at the time of his death.

"Brian was a key member of our 2017 football team reaching the regional finals, he was a natural leader who led by example on and off the field and had the respect of our entire school community," Pleasantville athletic director Dan Iorio said. "Brian's loss impacted so many different people in so many different ways. A close-knit community has now become even closer. We will continue to honor Brian's memory while raising awareness to such a vital cause. We've learned from the Halloran family that those living with mental health issues deserve care, compassion and pathways to recovery. ... As educators, it is essential to provide timely reminders involving mental health awareness."

Break The Hold has a large presence in Pleasantville, and regularly partners with the school for educational programming, as well as athletic fundraisers throughout the year.

"The youth goes through various issues with mental health and a lot of people may not know how to address it or deal with it," Pleasantville coach Tony Portera said. "Having outlets for not only the kids, but their parents, to be able to go get resources and help is super important. This does hit close to home here in Pleasantville, but it's a much larger problem globally and nationally, so it's great that we can get together and do this for a great charity."

Portera, who was promoted to the head coaching role this season after spending the last few years as an assistant, wanted to start an annual event to put Break The Hold on a bigger platform.

While Pleasantville-Briarcliff is a rivalry, there's plenty of respect between both programs. Off the field, the two coaching staffs are friendly with each other.

"When (Portera) called me, I was like, 'it's a no-brainer,'" Briarcliff coach David Villalobos said. "I spoke to our athletic director, Chris Drosopoulos. He spoke to his AD, and I told the girls right before the season at our parent meeting. They were very hyped right away, and they're really looking forward to Friday. We want to go out there and play the game, but this is bigger than that. Mental illness is a horrible disease, and we're doing this game for all those who are struggling and we just want to support those who need help."

The Panthers and the Bears will alternate using one of their home games each year for the annual Break The Hold rivalry game under the lights at Pace University. Each team will have a representative address the crowd before the game, highlighting the importance of the cause.

Portera also wanted to create a bridge between the varsity and youth soccer programs in each community. Just like the pros, varsity players will walk hand-in-hand under the lights with the next generation of soccer stars when making their entrance onto the field.

"In the past, it's usually just been Pleasantville who fundraises, organizes, and it's a Pleasantville game to spread BTH's message," Capko said. "This year, Briarcliff got involved, and I think it's even more important now that we have another town coming together with us, working together to bring everybody together."

Building for the future

The goal is to make a yearly event, with each edition bigger than the last.

They hope to involve the Pleasantville and Briarcliff boys soccer teams in the future, making it an annual doubleheader for Break The Hold, or possibly add even more teams to make it a showcase or a tournament.

"I was looking at some of the things Tim Hourahan at Lakeland does, like the Section 1-Section 9 Challenge, or some of the other events that they've done where they have a whole bunch of schools," Portera said. "Taking from that concept, I wanted to come up with a yearly event that, hopefully, down the road, we can also add to it. Let's get together two teams that are rivals but are very close community-wise and put something together for a good cause."

Pleasantville won, 2-1, earlier this season on Sept. 22. It was the Panthers' first win over the Bears after getting swept in 2021 and 2022, but three of those four contests were tight 1-0 games.

Both sides are expecting another close contest on Friday.

"We respect each other 100%, but it's one of those rivalries where we can't wait to take you down and get those bragging rights," Villalobos said. "It's great being on the sidelines and the girls are just, high-intensity, going at each other. It's a fun rivalry, and we're very lucky to be a part of it."

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Briarcliff, Pleasantville soccer join to boost mental health awareness