Last year Sleepy Hollow made a big statement on the pitch when it defeated Yonkers 6-0 in the opening round of the sectional playoffs. The game was a historic one, as it was the first girls sectional soccer game in SHHS history.
Coach Blair Moynahan's squad then played defending state champ Rye tough in the next round, the game was scoreless 15 minutes into the second half, before Sleepy fell 4-0.
Sleepy Hollow lost seven talented seniors from that squad, five of them starters. Fortunately for the Lady Horsemen, they have a very strong junior class this fall.
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Leading Sleepy Hollow is junior forward Jamie Bucci, who was named a captain for the third straight year.
"What makes her standout is her speed, her aggressiveness and she's one of those kids that you would call a true gamer," Moynahan said. "She practices hard but in games she just takes it to another level. She just has a natural instinct, like Jennifer Angevine in lacrosse. They are similar type of players."
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Joining Bucci up front is junior forward Gillian Berger. Berger has played midfield in the past for Sleepy Hollow but is playing forward this season because the team needed someone to replace the production of the graduated Alexis Bateman.
Bucci and Berger are both very familiar with each other as they have played on varsity the last three years and participated in youth leagues together before that.
"I think Gillian's going to be a big help," Moynahan said. "She's a quiet leader. She brings positive energy to the team. Her and Jamie get along very well. They are very alike in how they move the ball. They work well together up top."
Junior Annelise Birrittella will be the quarterback of the defense from her sweeper position.
"She runs the defense," Moynahan said. "She's a dominant presence back there. We can spring her up on midfield too if we have to."
Junior Alexis Birrittella also plays defense on the outside left wing and brings plenty of worth ethic to her position.
Junior starting goalie Jennifer Onwe is out right now with an injury that may keep her out half the season. She has been starting in that position the last two years.
Fortunately for the Lady Horsemen, talented sophomore Meghan Geary is there to take Onwe's place while she is out.
"We're pretty psyched Meghan is with us this year," Moynahan said. "She's a very aggressive goalie. We are pleased to have her with us right now."
Junior Bobbie Shortell, who has good speed and is a good athlete, brings a fiery personality to the field and she's one of the players that will do anything Moynahan asks of her.
Providing Sleepy Hollow with a rocket of a shot is senior Marisa Weisman, who will play midfield.
Considering the work the players put in this summer, Moynahan is very excited about his squad going into this season.
"This is the first summer that the girls worked out on their own," Moynahan said. "They did that the month prior to preseason. That says something about the team's work ethic. Some kids we have to figure out who will contribute the most in those five spots that are void at the moment. Sometime next week I think we will be able to figure it out."
As for where they will play their home games, they could be played at Peabody Field or at Washington Irving.
"We have in the past, some of them maybe at Peabody but they are trying to get us WI field, they just redid the field so as many games that don't conflict with the boys game we will play there," Moynahan said.
2010 Sleepy Hollow Schedule
9/8 SAUNDERS 4:30
9/13 @ VALHALLA 4:45
9/15 PORT CHESTER 4:30
9/21@ KEIO 4:45
9/22 @ CROTON-HARMON 4:45
9/27 OSSINING 4:30
9/29 WESTLAKE 4:30
10/1 @ PLEASANTVILLE 4:45
10/5 BRIARCLIFF 4:30
10/6 CROTON-HARMON 4:30
10/8 KEIO 4:30
10/13 @ OSSINING 4:45
10/15 @ WESTLAKE 4:45
10/18 RYE NECK 4:30
10/19 PLEASANTVILLE 4:30
10/22 @ BRIARCLIFF 4:45
