The Bronxville girls’ soccer team celebrating after winning the Regional Championship. Photo by J. Murrer.

The Bronxville girls’ cross country team holding the Sectional Championship plaque. Photo submitted by Coach Keina Samuels.

By S.Q DeJoy and J. Murrer

Nov. 10, 2021: The Bronxville girls’ soccer team and the girls’ cross country team will travel to the State Championships this weekend to compete against the best teams in New York State. The soccer team defeated Section 4’s Chenango Valley 3-0 in the Regional Championship to earn a spot in the state semifinals at SUNY Cortland, and the girls’ cross country team won the Class C Sectional Championship to qualify for states at Chenango Valley State Park. Both teams will compete on Saturday, and if the girls’ soccer team is successful, they will play in the Class B State Championship game on Sunday.

Girls’ Soccer

The girls’ soccer team played a great game in the regional final held at Arlington High School last Friday. In the game against the Chenango Valley Warriors, the Broncos took at 1-0 lead in the opening five minutes when Maddy Stupart scored with an assist from Lily Jebejian.  In the second half, Kiki Tormey (2G) and Stupart (2A) teamed up to give the Broncos the win and an opportunity to compete at states.

Kiki Tormey scores for the Broncos in the regional final. Photo by J. Murrer.

“I am so proud of this team and how we performed in the regional final,” said senior co-captain Tormey. “We played with so much heart and completely dominated Chenango Valley. I think what is most important is how close we are as a group, and how much we trust each other on and off the field.”

Tormey, along with Stupart and Jebejian have been top scorers for the Broncos this season. Senior co-captain Jebejian has been on the varsity team for five years and is looking forward to the trip to Cortland.

Lily Jebejian (5) in the regional game against Chenango Valley. Photo by J. Murrer.

“Going to States has always been a dream and something we’d heard about in years past but always seemed a little out of reach,” said Jebejian.  “Last year we were cut short because of COVID so the opportunity to get where we are, and after such an incredible year that included Coop’s 500^th win, is amazing.”

The Broncos controlled possession in the second half thanks to a strong defense. Bronxville has only given up one goal in their playoff games against Westlake, Pleasantville, Briarcliff and Chenango Valley. Senior keeper and co-captain Milly Koenig has been on the varsity team since 8^th grade and has been playing with many of the girls on this team since elementary school. Koenig has been a star in the goal this entire season.

“As the goalie for the Broncos, I’m obviously defensive-minded,” said Koenig, “and we talk a lot about how important it is to have a strong defensive line. It’s is our job to prevent the goals, and it is impossible to win without scoring, so in our eyes we like to say defense wins championships. We are really happy with the way we have been improving and communicating on the field.”

Milly Koenig defending the goal in the regional game against Chenango Valley. Photo by J. Murrer.

The regional game was at noon on Friday, and Bronco fans turned out in force.  Seniors had the opportunity to take a fan bus up to the game to cheer the team on. 

The Bronco soccer fans in the stands at Arlington High School. Photo by J. Murrer.

The Class B Broncos (18-1-1) are ranked No. 1 in the state by the New York State Sportswriters Association, and they will play No. 3 Saranac (18-0-1) in the state semifinals at 10AM on Saturday. The state final will feature the winner of Section 1-Bronxville/Section 7-Saranac vs the winner of Section 8 Wheatley/No. 6 Lewiston-Porter. The state final game will take place on Sunday at 10AM.

“Seeing all of our hard work pay off in the sectional and regional final has already been a great reward, but now we have our eyes set on the state competition,” said senior co-captain Alice Vranka.  “Every day at practice we say to ourselves ‘we are not losing’, and it is this attitude that’s making me so excited about next weekend! Many of us have been on the team for multiple years and have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.”

Alice Vranka (8) and Lily Jebejian (5). Photo by J. Murrer

Under the leadership of Coach Don Cupertino, the Bronxville girls’ soccer program has had great success. Bronco girls’ soccer has won 21 Section 1 titles, two regional titles, and two State Championships in 2010 and 2014.

I give all of the credit to our coach, Don Cupertino,” said Tormey.  “He really has gotten us to where we are, and day in and day out gives us nothing but 100%. There is no one who cares about this team more than him, and we are really excited to give everything we have this weekend, for him and all of our Bronxville supporters!”

The Bronxville fans celebrate on the field after the girls’ soccer team wins the Regional Championship. Photo by J. Murrer.

Girls’ Cross Country

The girls’ cross country team won its 23^rd Class C Sectional Championship on Saturday at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls. Bronxville placed first with 20 points and was followed by Hastings with 84 and Briarcliff with 87. 

Four Broncos placed in the top ten, and all the Bronxville girls finished in the top thirty. Freshman Maddy Williams placed first for the Broncos in a time of 19:36.4. Teammate Ava Black placed 2^nd (19:49.2), Lux Burgin placed 4^th (20.29.6), Katie O’Hare placed 7^th (20:54.1), Rory Denning placed 12^th (22:05.5), Quinn Sheehan placed 13^th (22:16.9), Charlotte Murphy placed 20^th (23:10), Linnea Hentschel placed 22^nd (23:12.5), and Kate Outcault placed 27^th (23:49.3).

The Class C Section 1 Champs. Photo submitted by Coach Keina Samuels.

“It’s my first year leading a team to states,” said Coach Keina Samuels.   “It’s a very young team so I’m excited to see how everything comes together this weekend. Five of our top seven girls have never run cross country before this season so seeing them grow and run together at such a high level has been amazing to watch.” 

The Bronxville girls are no strangers to the New York State Championships. The cross country team won states every year between 2008 and 2013 and will be looking to get back on top this year.

“The competition is always great at the state level,” said Samuels.  “We’re confident in the work our girls have put in all season, and we know that they will run strong together this weekend.”

The Broncos are the top-ranked team in Class C followed by Section 3’s  South Jefferson and Section 2’s Voorheesville.  The championship meet will take place on Saturday at Chenango Valley State Park.

Go Broncos.