No one knows exactly how the girls soccer season will unfold this fall and, as with all sports, there likely will be a few twists and several surprises. But, we all can admit, it’s fun to forecast.
Four Section 1 teams advanced to at least the state semifinals last year, with Albertus Magnus winning it all, and the area typically is well represented at that level. But which of these local title contenders has the best shot at winning a state championship in 2025?
The poll, presented by White Plains Hospital, will be open until 3 p.m. Thursday.
Albertus Magnus
The Falcons are coming off their second state title in three years and, with a stacked roster featuring several college commits, this team should again be among the favorites in Class AA. Teigan Cunnane and Mary Kate DeBono headline a star-studded cast that’ll be tested with a challenging regular-season schedule.
Arlington
The Admirals have won seven of the last eight large-school section titles and, last season, reached the Class AAA state final before narrowly losing to Long Island powerhouse Ward Melville. Arlington did graduate many of its best players, but the program has shown an ability to quickly reload during this remarkable run.
Bronxville
The Broncos rolled through the sectional tournament and even dominated Section 9 juggernaut Mount Academy en route to the Class B state semifinals last season. The team did lose some leadership to graduation, but twins Carson and Kara Kochansky are among the returners that should keep them in contention.
Horace Greeley
It can’t be overlooked that Greeley gave Albertus Magnus, perhaps, its toughest postseason battle, being the first team to score against them in nearly two months and forcing the section final to double overtime. With a talented core, including Sienna Moss and Hailey Stern, the Quakers could again challenge for the crown.
Pleasantville
They could be a half-awake sleeper. The Panthers entered the Class A playoffs as a No. 1 seed and were undefeated until getting upset by Somers in the sectional semifinals. Pleasantville returns star defender Natalie Viviano and offensive dynamo Faith Brown, and could be poised for a breakthrough.
Rye
The Garnets came painfully close to winning a second consecutive state championship last year, but lost by a goal in the Class A final. That heartbreak, midfielder Charlotte Keenan said, has provided them a necessary “chip on our shoulder.” Rye graduated nine seniors and is working several players into new roles, but Keenan, Clare Nemsick and Parker Calhoun lead a talented crew with high expectations.
Scarsdale
They’ve reached the section final in two of the previous three years and, after playing Arlington to a tie in the regular season last fall, they lost to them in the final on a free-kick goal in the waning minutes. Scarsdale has established a strong soccer culture, reflected in the success of its boys and girls teams, and it could be their time. The Raiders return key players including Gia Asen, Stella Van Arsdale and Salma Sherrell.
Somers
The Tuskers are only two years removed from a run to the Class AA state semifinals. They had another impressive season last fall, including edging Pleasantville in the playoffs, but ran into a red-hot Rye in the Section 1 Class A final. Still, this program has pedigree and a roster anchored by seniors Marley Hawkins, Lily Mazzella and Lindsay Ulaj.
Tuckahoe
Tuckahoe won its first section title since 2002 last fall, and that was accomplished with a group that included 12 players who were in the ninth grade or middle school. That, of course, bodes well for their future. The Tigers now are more experienced and, led by forward Brooke Matarazzo, should be a threat. But they’ll have to find a way around Section 9’s Burke Catholic, which downed them in the Class C regional final with its own young roster.
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Which girls soccer team could win a state title? Poll presented by White Plains Hospital
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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