Varsity Girls Soccer earns IGC League Championship over Montrose!
While the national media might be focusing on the Cubs winning the World Series, an even bigger game occurred earlier on Wednesday afternoon at Orr Field in Newton, MA where the Brimmer and May girls soccer team took on Montrose in the IGC final. A rematch of last year's final, the two teams split the season series, both winning comfortably at the other's home field. The two evenly matched teams did not disappoint as they provided an exciting and intense game for the large crowd.
The Gators knew that the game would be won in the midfield, and they pushed the pace in the early stages. Caiti Cullen, Abbey Mynahan, Sofia Coronado, and Hannah Ahearn '20 led the charge as they got to loose balls and made sure to control Montrose's talented midfielders. This led to a few scoring chances as Hannah just put a shot over the crossbar from close range and Shani Breiman '18 had a breakaway attempt saved by the Montrose goalie. Unfortunately for the Gators, Montrose was able to get on the board first. One of the players picked up a loose ball and dribbled through the midfield and just past a lunging Rebecca Calhoun '19 to place a low shot past Alexis Ifill '17 for a 1-0 lead. Montrose had several more opportunities to score shortly after that. First, Sarah Smith '17 was in the right place at the right time as she stopped a low shot off a corner kick right on the goal line and cleared it to preserve the 1-0 score line. Then, Alexis made a diving save and tipped the ball off the post. Breanna Durand '20 reacted the quickest and cleared the rebound before a Montrose player could tap it in. In the process Alexis broke her glasses and received a cut just above her eye. Claire Masterson '20 hopped into goal and weathered the storm for the last eight minutes of the half, making several heads up plays to prevent Montrose from scoring. With one minute remaining, the Gators made a solid push up the field. Shani was able to pick up a loose ball from thirty yards out and dribbled past two defenders before slotting a low shot past the keeper to tie the score at 1-1. The referee blew the half time whistle, and both teams returned to their benches to regroup for the second half.
Both teams came out of their huddles ready to go, and the second half was a fast paced and physical 40 minutes. The game was played mainly in the midfield as both defenses closed down space well and prevented the attacking players from gaining any momentum. Then, with 25 minutes left, Caiti Cullen '19 won a loose ball in the middle and sent Shani on goal. She beat two defenders to the ball and placed another low shot into the net for a 2-1 lead. A few minutes later, Kimberly Santos '18, who worked tirelessly all game long, stole the ball away from her defender and took a shot that deflected off a Montrose player. The ball rolled all the way across the six yard box. Sarah Smith, alertly running in for a rebound, stopped the ball, turned, and calmly fired a shot into the net before the Montrose goalie could react. Down 3-1, Montrose did not give up, and they worked hard to get back into the game. The defense of Samantha Vingers '17, Enna Spivak '17, Sita Alomran '19, Rebecca Calhoun, and Breanna Durand made sure to close down everything, and Montrose often had to settle for long range shots that Alexis handled easily.
Brimmer had several more opportunities to score as Montrose pushed forward, but they were unable to capitalize and extend their lead. With three minutes to go, Kimberly, took a hard hit from a defender and had to be helped off the field. The Gators did not let this bother them as they buckled down on defense and held on as the final seconds ticked off. Alexis tipped an excellent shot over the crossbar just before the final whistle. The Gators mobbed Alexis when the game ended and captain Enna Spivak accepted the championship trophy in front of an enthusiastic and supportive home crowd.
This marks the 15th consecutive win for the Gators, and they look to extend their winning streak on Monday against Newton Country Day School at Boston University's Nickerson Field.
The Gators knew that the game would be won in the midfield, and they pushed the pace in the early stages. Caiti Cullen, Abbey Mynahan, Sofia Coronado, and Hannah Ahearn '20 led the charge as they got to loose balls and made sure to control Montrose's talented midfielders. This led to a few scoring chances as Hannah just put a shot over the crossbar from close range and Shani Breiman '18 had a breakaway attempt saved by the Montrose goalie. Unfortunately for the Gators, Montrose was able to get on the board first. One of the players picked up a loose ball and dribbled through the midfield and just past a lunging Rebecca Calhoun '19 to place a low shot past Alexis Ifill '17 for a 1-0 lead. Montrose had several more opportunities to score shortly after that. First, Sarah Smith '17 was in the right place at the right time as she stopped a low shot off a corner kick right on the goal line and cleared it to preserve the 1-0 score line. Then, Alexis made a diving save and tipped the ball off the post. Breanna Durand '20 reacted the quickest and cleared the rebound before a Montrose player could tap it in. In the process Alexis broke her glasses and received a cut just above her eye. Claire Masterson '20 hopped into goal and weathered the storm for the last eight minutes of the half, making several heads up plays to prevent Montrose from scoring. With one minute remaining, the Gators made a solid push up the field. Shani was able to pick up a loose ball from thirty yards out and dribbled past two defenders before slotting a low shot past the keeper to tie the score at 1-1. The referee blew the half time whistle, and both teams returned to their benches to regroup for the second half.
Both teams came out of their huddles ready to go, and the second half was a fast paced and physical 40 minutes. The game was played mainly in the midfield as both defenses closed down space well and prevented the attacking players from gaining any momentum. Then, with 25 minutes left, Caiti Cullen '19 won a loose ball in the middle and sent Shani on goal. She beat two defenders to the ball and placed another low shot into the net for a 2-1 lead. A few minutes later, Kimberly Santos '18, who worked tirelessly all game long, stole the ball away from her defender and took a shot that deflected off a Montrose player. The ball rolled all the way across the six yard box. Sarah Smith, alertly running in for a rebound, stopped the ball, turned, and calmly fired a shot into the net before the Montrose goalie could react. Down 3-1, Montrose did not give up, and they worked hard to get back into the game. The defense of Samantha Vingers '17, Enna Spivak '17, Sita Alomran '19, Rebecca Calhoun, and Breanna Durand made sure to close down everything, and Montrose often had to settle for long range shots that Alexis handled easily.
Brimmer had several more opportunities to score as Montrose pushed forward, but they were unable to capitalize and extend their lead. With three minutes to go, Kimberly, took a hard hit from a defender and had to be helped off the field. The Gators did not let this bother them as they buckled down on defense and held on as the final seconds ticked off. Alexis tipped an excellent shot over the crossbar just before the final whistle. The Gators mobbed Alexis when the game ended and captain Enna Spivak accepted the championship trophy in front of an enthusiastic and supportive home crowd.
This marks the 15th consecutive win for the Gators, and they look to extend their winning streak on Monday against Newton Country Day School at Boston University's Nickerson Field.
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.