Sunday May 8 saw the third meeting of the season between the Frisch Cougars and the SAR Sting, this time for the MYHSAL JV Girls Soccer Championship. The game was played at Frisch, as the Cougars were the #1 seed, but the SAR fans came in force to support their team. Frisch jumped out to a quick lead, as freshman Livi Urman fired a shot into the lower corner just 15 seconds into the game. Two minutes later sophomore co-captain Noa Acton found a streaking Urman in front of the goal and Frisch doubled their lead. Just one minute later a beautiful give and go between Urman and freshman Ava Nordlicht led to another Urman goal. Down 3-0 would have most teams in a panic, but not the Sting. Cheering each other on from the bench and supported by their fans, the SAR defense led by sophomores Avery Goldberg and Talia Picker stiffened, and after several offensive chances, freshman Aliza Shapiro found the top corner to get her team on the board. Several minutes later Shapiro drilled a header into the Frisch goal to make it 3-2 after the first quarter.
Almost immediately after the start of the second quarter, SAR sophomore Sema Gindin launched a left footed missile into the far corner, and what looked like a possible blowout was tied 3-3. Both teams kept up the relentless pace with multiple shots forcing both goalies, Frisch’s Nili Klapper and SAR’s Yaffa Medjuck-Bruckner into making excellent saves. Finally, relentless pressure by super-sub sophomore Liora Afilalo paid dividends as she drove home a powerful shot to break the SAR momentum and put Frisch back on top 4-3 at the half.
The third quarter began much like the first, with a renewed Frisch offensive barrage that culminated in a goal by Urman who had beaten her defender one-on-one. Frisch would hit the post soon after, but the third quarter would see no further scoring. In a bid to generate more offense SAR moved Picker to forward to open the fourth, but the Cougar defense of sophomore co-captain Orly Silverstein, freshman Margo Wertentheil, and sophomore Riki Amos would remain impenetrable. Their continued aggressive play stymied the high-powered Sting attack, which was averaging 9.5 goals per game entering the final. A cross from freshman Julie Kahane found Urman open for her 5th goal, which put the game out of reach. Shapiro would score her third with 2:32 remaining in the game and the 6-4 result would stand until the final whistle.
This was the fourth consecutive title for the Frisch Cougars and coach Kelly Vincent, who has built a dynasty and remains undefeated. The five-goal performance earned MVP honors for Livi Urman, but the win was a consummate team effort. Both teams should be proud of their outstanding seasons and the fans can surely expect more exciting games next year.
