O’Donnell’s First Career Goal Stands as Game-Winner, Girls Soccer Moves On

Rye opened up postseason play in their Class A bracket with a convincing win over Westlake on Friday night, defeating the Wildcats 4-1 to advance to the second round. Ryann O’Donnell scored her first goal of the season – and first of her varsity soccer career – 10 minutes into the first half, and it stood as the game-winner in a comfortable decision.

Prior to O’Donnell’s long-range strike, Hannah Jachman opened the scoring under three minutes into the game off a broken play near the goal line. She and O’Donnell are the only two freshmen on the 2024 roster, and both found the back of the net in their first career playoff games.

“Rye had a strong performance in opening round play against visiting Westlake,” Head Coach Rich Savage told MyRye.com after the game.

Shira Rand found the back of the net off an assist from Ava Cross with 23 minutes left in the first half to push the Garnets’ lead to three by the break. They extended it even further with a fourth off the foot of Charlotte Keenan early in the second half. Westlake got on the board late, when the game was already out of reach. Tessa Labovitz and Blake Sasse both played keeper for Rye to split the win.

#2 Rye, now officially 15-1-1, is set to face off against #7 Pelham in the second round of the Sectional Class A Tournament. The Pelicans are coming off a 3-0 win over #10 Bryam Hills in their first round game. Date and time for this rivalry matchup is still TBD, but it will be at Nugent Stadium. Watch the round one win vs Westlake here. View the Class A bracket here.