Rye Boys Soccer opened their 2025 campaign with a closely-fought 1-0 victory over Tappan Zee on Thursday, September 4. Lex Cox scored late in the first half to give the Garnets all the offense they would need for the clean sheet win.
“Lex’s goal was well earned, as he was the most dominant player on the pitch for us during the first half,” Head Coach Jared Small said after the game. “Peter Wilmot delivered a brilliant corner kick and Lex was able to flick it in. It was no easy task to beat the opponent’s keeper.”
Rye held a possession advantage throughout the match thanks to strong midfield play from Wilmot, Shun Nagata, and Kasen Scarperi, while Cox and his opposite winger Felix Wismer set the attacking pace from the flanks. When called upon, Owen Wismer, Christian Hoffman, Harrison Zimmer, and Cole Furber solidified the back line and stifled the Tappan Zee attack. “The Garnets backline kept an always lethal Dutchmen attack at bay for the first time in recent years,” Small said.
In his first varsity start, Owen Karl made two key stops for the shutout. Rye generated far more chances than the Flying Dutchmen, but Karl stood strong when called upon.
Rye (1-0) starts the year strong by defeating the 2024 Class AA champions, and will look to make it two in a row as they host crosstown rival Harrison on Saturday, September 6. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00pm at Nugent Stadium against the Huskies. Watch the replay of the victory over Tappan Zee here.
