A draw but felt like a loss

The match between North Williston School and The Martlets was one of the most extraordinary games we’ve ever played. Due to a shortage of players, North Williston School fielded a team of just nine, pushing the Martlets to adapt to an unconventional 9-on-9 format.

The first half started with the Martlets' dominance on the field; however, despite our relentless efforts, we couldn’t quite find the back of the net. Our only goal came just before halftime, delivered brilliantly by Eliza Lane ’28, whose skillful play was remarkable.

As the second half progressed, the Martlets struggled with their ball transitions in the midfield, making it increasingly difficult for our defense to withstand the mounting pressure from North Williston. It was during this challenging phase that North Williston seized an unexpected opportunity, scoring a goal that stemmed from a miscommunication in our defense. Yet, rather than giving up, the Martlets rallied and regained their strength, once again taking control of the game. We celebrated a well-deserved goal that, unfortunately, was disallowed for reasons that remain a mystery to us. Nevertheless, we continued to press forward and squandered multiple chances to increase our score. In the end, the game concluded with a bittersweet sense of accomplishment. It’s important to acknowledge that our team was without four key starters who had to leave early due to family commitments. Despite these challenges, we poured our hearts into the game, though the outcome was not what we had hoped for. 

A special shout-out goes to Abbey Cirelli, whose remarkable tenacity in defense and midfield was truly inspiring. Her grit and grace shone brightly throughout the match, embodying the spirit of our team.