Pawling soccer defeats Keio, ties Tuckahoe and Blind Brook

Tigers raise overall record to 2-2-2, continue to show new strength and skill

Photo Gallery from game with Dobbs Ferry

By John M. Benson
September 30, 2007

Pawling varsity soccer evened the season record at 2-2-2 last week, as they continue to improve in both their individual and team play.

Coach Kerry Pinelli is very pleased with the development of the team, and believes the success level will rise continuously through the remainder of the season.

Right forward Nikki Piazza drives the offense for Pawling, and leads the Tigers with six goals and one assist on the season. First-year phenomenon Brianna Dapolito follows with a remarkable three goals and three assists. Rebecca Paugh has one goal and one assist, Emma Carlson has one goal, Kaitlin Basso has two assists, and Andrea Benegas has one assist on the young season.

Pawling began the week on Tuesday, September 25, with an impressive 4-4 draw with Tuckahoe, a big, fast and experienced soccer team.

Coach Pinelli said, “We began the game in a new formation playing a 4 3 2 formation.   Tuckahoe was playing a man down so we played the game 10 v 10. The decision to put the 4 back instead of our traditional 3 back was because we've had some injuries and were missing a few starters and I felt the defense needed some extra help.  Playing the 2 up front makes it a little more difficult on the forwards as they have to work harder and be more in tune with each other to get off shots on goal. It also makes the midfielders have to cover more ground. Pawling played a great possession game really working hard to find their teammates with their passes. In the first half we had about 70% possession. Defense did a superb job holding their line causing Tuckahoe to be called off-sides several times in the game.”

As Pinelli reported the scoring in the first half, Becky Paugh scored with the assist from Andrea Benegas at 16:30 into the first half. Tuckahoe came back at 23 minutes with therr first goal. Brianna Dapolito scored with an assist from Nikki Piazzza at 27 minutes. Tuckahoe came back at the 32nd minute to tie the game at 2-2 to end the half.

”In the second half, we struck first at 30 seconds on a great volley by Brianna Dapolito fed in by Becky Paugh. Then our second goal came at 16 minutes by Nikki Piazza with the assist from Brianna. Tuckahoe came back at 20 minutes with their third goal and then again 
at 36 minutes to tie up the game.

”Jessie D'ottavio had a great game in goal for us with ten saves for the game.”

Pawling was playing with just one substitute early in the season, and after bringing Dapolito up from the JV earlier in the season, Pinelli has added three more youngsters to the varsity.
 
”In addition to the new formation we also have some new players up on varsity,” Pinelli said. “Sophomore Amanda White and freshmen Alex Mormando and Ilona Jobson have joined us to provide us with some subs. All three girls got playing time and give us some hope for the future with their great efforts on the field.

”In the second half we did not possess as much and a few mistakes let Tuckahoe get a jump on our defenders and have a few good opportunities on goal which they capitlaized on. This late score to tie the game gave Tuckahoe a boost and they came into the overtime ready to score.  Fortunately our defense and great goalkeeping by Jessie D'Ottavio closed down the scoring and we ended in a tie.”

Pawling then got the secon victory of the season at home against Keio on Wednesday, racking up the 4-2 victory against a very good soccer team.

Pinelli reported, ”Again we opened up with our new formation and Pawling came out strong with a good feeling from our game the day before and continued on with the great passing and possession game. Thirteen minutes into the game we got hit with a sever thunderstorm and had to have a delay of game for 30 minutes. We came back out ready to win. Brianna Dapolito opened the scoring at 19 minutes with a great solo shot on goal.  Nikki came up at 26 minutes, beat the defense and scored at 26 minute.  At 30 minutes Nikki scored again with the assist from Brianna. The girls were moving the ball up the field very well and using their speed to overtake the slower Keio team. In the first half we possessed the ball 80% of the time.

”In the second half Jessie came out of goal and traded places with Brianna. Pawling started aggressively and at six minutes in Emma Carlson scored from the 18 yard line from a pass from Nikki Piazza. Keio had a spark of life at 16 minutes scoring their first goal of their season. They came back again at 18 minutes to score their second goal. That would be it for the scoring as our defense and the goalkeeping of Brianna Dapolito shut Keio down.

”Pawling took a lot of shots on goal and just needs a little more work to perfect their finishing. Again, our young players showed that they will be a great force on the field next season.”

Blind Brook is a formidable opponent in every sport, and features an outstanding soccer program. Pawling demonstrated how much the Tiger team has improved in the early games of the season with a 1-1 tie on the road at Blind Brook on Thursday.

”After two games in a row we were feeling a little banged up and tired, but you wouldn't have known it once they took the field,” Pinelli said with obvious pride in her Tigers. “Pawling came out strong, moving the ball around the field quickly and with purpose. We did have a harder time keeping the ball up-field to our forwards due to Blind Brook’s aggressive defense. However, at 26 minutes we struck first with a goal shot on the far post scored by Nikki Piazza off of a headed pass from Kaitlin Basso. In the next minute, Blind Brook retaliated with a goal to tie the game. We played scoreless to the end of the second half and it remained that way through the overtime.

“The defensive line combination of Ariana Muscente, Jenica Ross, Starla Castle, Alex Mormando and Liz Broderick have worked very hard to stay together, hold their line and catch the other teams' forwards off-sides. It has paid off for the last three games with several off-sides calls on our opponents. Jenica had a great game and showed that she has the speed to get back and beat an opponent even when they do get a break on our line. LIz Broderick is proving to be one of our toughest defenders with getting good reads on opponents and getting to the ball. 

“Jessie D'Ottavio had another spectacular game in goal and was the reason that we were able to hold the game to a tie. She came out with an unbelievable 20 saves showing what an irreplaceable player she is to our team.”