Girls’ soccer team after winning the regional game on Saturday. Photo by Joe Villanueva.

By J. Murrer and S.Q. Dejoy

Nov. 13, 2024: Bronxville varsity girls’ soccer moves on to the New York State Championship with a 4-0 win over Section 9’s Mount Academy in regional semifinals and a 3-0 win over Section 4’s Waverly High School in the regional finals.

In the game against Waverly, Bronxville’s Carson Kochansky took only 13 seconds to score the first goal of the game, setting the tone for the Broncos.

Kalliroi Ladas put Bronxville up 2-0 late in the first half, and Ladas scored one more time with an assist from Carson Kochansky to give the Broncos the win.

“The beginning of the year we went through so much conditioning. It really helped us,” said Captain Evy Henningson. “When we played Mount Academy, we were able to run around everyone.” 

The Broncos, who started the playoffs with a 10-5-1 record, have peaked at just the right time.

“Both regional games were great,” said Coach Don Cupertino. “Getting by The Mount Academy and then Waverly was a great accomplishment for the girls.  They stepped it up ever since the playoffs started with 18 goals for and only one against.”

Bronxville won the State Championship in 2021 and has been in rebuilding mode for the last two years.

“We had a lot of returning players and had a goal to make it far into playoffs,” said Captain Amy Villanueva.  “In the beginning of the season we changed the lineup a lot of times to make it a better fit, but I think what has really changed and what helped us grow as a team is our need to win. We really want to win and bring energy to every game.”

The Broncos, who also won State Championships in 2010 and 2014, will play for each other and for the legacy of Bronxville soccer this coming weekend at the New York State Championships.

The Broncos (15-5-1) will play Section 3’s Marcellus (20-0-2) at Cortland High School on Saturday at 5pm.

“Marcellus will be a tough task on Saturday,” said Coach Cupertino.  “They are ranked number 1 in New York State in Class B. The girls are very excited and can’t wait to compete in the state semifinal.”   

The starting lineup holding the Regional Championship plaque after defeating Waverly. Photo by Joe Villanueva.

Football

The Bronxville football team entered the Class B Section 1 Semifinals as the No. 2 seed with a record of 8-0, but in the home game against Ardsley on Saturday, the Panthers proved to be too tough to beat.

Ardsley, the No. 6 seed, upset No. 4 Pearl River 14-13 in the quarterfinals before moving on to the semifinal game against Bronxville. The Panthers, who were the first to receive the ball, scored late in the first quarter after a long drive. They scored again late in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead.

The Broncos regrouped at halftime and just a minute in to the third quarter, a pass from Theo McMurray to Wyatt Gravier was good for a Bronco touchdown bringing the score to 14-6. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful.

With just 3 minutes left in the game, the Broncos put together a drive and with 36 seconds left, Gravier brought it in for a second Bronxville touchdown. Bronxville’s attempt to tie the game with a two-point conversion failed, and the Panthers move on to the Class B Sectional Championship game.

In the other Class B semifinal bracket, No. 4 Pleasantville upset undefeated and No. 1 seed Westlake and will play Ardsley on Saturday at 3PM at Mahopac High School.

“I’m beyond proud of this team and the things we have accomplished,” said Captain Danny Kelty. “We came into the season being looked down on as an overhyped small school, but fought week in and week out to prove we were contenders in class B.”

“Our last game of the season we came out hard, but not hard enough. We were able to respond but just not quick enough,” said Captain Alex Napolitano. “There is no other team in the world that has a bond as strong as Bronxville football.”

Go Broncos.