Eastchester’s soccer team has had a tough road to hoe this year, but they may have finally found their footing on Sept. 23, when they took on—and beat—a solid Harrison team to earn their second win of the season. As the Eagles look ahead to the remainder of a grueling fall schedule, head coach Frank Fiore is hopeful that the 1-0 win over the Huskies could fuel a determined run in the second half.
At Eastchester High School, the Eagles and Huskies found themselves deadlocked at intermission, but a second half goal by Erin McGahren off an assist from Allish Fay proved the difference-maker as the home team was able to pitch a shutout, thanks in part to a terrific performance by the Eagle defense and goalkeeper Danielle Mejia.
Mejia, subbing in for injured starter Brianna Williams, notched eight saves in the Eastchester win.
“The defense and goalkeeping have been very strong,” Fiore said. “We are getting [Williams] back this week, but Danielle has played well and it’s great to have it in the back of our minds that we have a very capable backup goalie to go along with our defense.”
At 2-4 on the season, the Eagles have battled the injury bug and have seen several starters miss time this year. According to Fiore, however, the play of the team’s backups has been a source of pride for the Eastchester coach.
“With injuries and having girls sick early in the year, we’ve had a lot of players step up and get game experience,” he said. “I think that’s going to be big for us.”
On Friday, the Eagles tallied seven shots on goal, six of which were stopped by Huskies’ keeper Katie Ryan. Fiore is hoping that his squad’s performance against Harrison signals that the Eagle attack is beginning to turn the corner.
“We are stressing keeping possessions and stepping up as a team,” Fiore said. “We want to be a team on the verge of scoring instead of relying on individual play.”
The Huskies will look to bounce back from the loss on Sept. 29, after press time, when they host Ardsley, while the Eagles are gearing up for a loaded week that will see them play Rye, Pelham and Bronxville.
Eastchester’s game against Bronxville, scheduled for Sept. 30, will be the third installment of the annual Eastchester Cup rivalry game. In the past two years, the Eagles and Broncos have traded wins.
“It’s going to be a highly competitive game, and every time we play them we have that date circled,” Fiore said. “There are friends on both sides, and it’s a great rivalry.”
