In the third season of YMSSA girls soccer, Moriah defeated Noam in the championship game by a score of 3-1, capping a surprising season. Moriah began the playoffs in fifth place. In the semi-finals, Moriah shocked the undefeated defending champions SAR by a score of 3-2. In the other semi-final, Noam soundly defeated Kushner 9-5.

The championship game took place on June 8 at TABC. The stands were filled with fans from both sides. The game started off well for Moriah with Hilary Schiff scoring a goal in the first two minutes. Noam played an aggressive game throughout, but it was no match for Moriah’s physical play and staunch defense. Schiff scored another goal which put Moriah up by two. In the middle of the second quarter, Orlee Rosen’s strong kick from the opposite corner found the net, extending Moriah’s lead to three. Both goalies made several tough saves, keeping the scoring in check in the third quarter.

With a few minutes left in the fourth quarter, Noam came to life. Kayla Zlotnick put Noam on the scoreboard with a strong goal in front of the net. The last minutes were intense with aggressive play on both sides. When the buzzer sound, Moriah was the improbable champion of 2016.

This is Moriah’s first YMSSA soccer championship, and many of the players have been on the team since its inception. Moriah could not have done it without their deep bench of talented offensive players (Hilary Schiff, Sarah Fischer, Rachel Guidanian, Rachel Charendoff, Emma Kanner, Stephanie Leavitt, Shiraz Itzhaki and Rachel Abramovitz); their strong defense (Sigal Benjamin, Hannah Blum, Orlee Rosen and Alexa Schanzer); top flight goalie, Molly Kramer; and supportive and encouraging coach, Coach Coby. The team was honored to be supported by teachers, family and friends.

By Hannah Blum