Tappan Zee Builds New Bridge Over Boys Varsity Soccer in OT, Ending Garnet Season
The Tappan Zee Dutchmen built a new bridge over Rye Boys Varsity Soccer in OT Thursday, ending the Garnet season. The Dutchmen sunk the Garnets 2-1.
“We played beautifully and the guys did a fantastic job of taking the game to the opponent for large stretches of the match,” said Rye Boys Varsity Soccer Coach Jared Small. “While we were ultimately undone by just a couple of unfortunate moments, our performance was first-rate and our effort was of championship caliber.”
Rye was on the ball for much of the opening stretch of the game, dominating possession and generating opportunities from the start. Seven minutes into the match, the Garnets generated a golden opportunity when Stijn Terlouw received a pass 30 yards from goal, beat his defender, and played a clever through ball to Julian Koide. Koide and played a tight give and go to Tommy Broderick at the top of the box but wasn’t able to put a shot on goal.
Henry Field created several attacking moments with his play on the left flank, using his speed and skill to take defenders on and serve dangerous balls into the box. In the 17th minute, Jack Childs intercepted a pass in Rye’s defensive third, dribbled the length of the field and found Terlouw near the top of the box. Shaking his defender, Terlouw struck with his left, and only the sprawling save by Tappan Zee goalkeeper Jack McHugh prevented the Garnets from taking a lead. Rye finally broke through in the 26th minute when Jonas van Beurden knocked in a loose ball in the box on a corner kick. With one minute remaining in the half, Childs struck a knuckling shot from 35 yards that forced another big save.
The second half started as a more even affair, with Tappan Zee generating more opportunities by finding ways for star strikers Jack Kryger and Brady Jacobs to get on the ball. A Tappan Zee punt in the 58th minute took an unfortunate bounce behind the Rye backline, with Kryger eventually getting the ball at his feet on a breakaway. Kryger was fouled in the box and Jacobs converted the penalty kick to draw the match level at 1-1. Rye responded well, gaining back the bulk of possession and attacking the right flank for the remaining 15 minutes of regulation. Several near misses kept the score even.
Overtime ended quickly, as the Garnets had the initial opportunity before committing a foul 70 yards from goal. Tappan Zee played the ensuing free kick up the field and the ball eventually wound up at the feet of Jacobs, near the goal line on the left wing. Jacobs served the ball to Kryger at the far post, and Kryger’s header found the left side of the net for the golden goal. Undefeated Tappan Zee (19-0) will face Yorktown (also 19-0) in the Section 1 championship on Sunday afternoon.
Rye ends the season 15-4 with a third sectional semifinal appearance in 4 seasons (not including the 2020 COVID season) after making only three appearances in the semifinals in the 26 years prior. The 15 wins are tied with the 2008 squad for second most in a season since the 1983 team won 17 games. Rye’s 2019 state final four team is believed to hold the program record for wins in a season with 21.
Watch a replay of the game.
