The long awaited game between SPFHS and Westfield took place on Wednesday October 4, 2023. A majority of the students and even staff of the school bought tickets to support the Varsity Soccer teams, wearing neon to display their school spirit.
“I think the boys and girls will both win tonight.” Natalia Lambert, an SPFHS Sophomore and Girls Varsity Midfielder told The Fanscotian.
The boys game started at 5:30 pm with an even amount of back and forth play. Shots for both sides were taken but neither team managed to score in the first half.
“Before the game [there was pressure] but when you step on the field, it’s just like any other game you’re playing,” Darren Edelman, an SPFHS Sophomore and Boys Varsity Midfielder told The Fanscotian.
It was an aggressive match. Two yellow cards were distributed to Westfield Varsity players as the game remained intense. The SPF boys went into two ten minute overtimes playing at high speed, unwilling to let Westfield beat them to the ball. With two minutes remaining in the second overtime, SPF Boys Varsity Goalkeeper Jeffery Dietrich makes a diving save to keep the boys in the game. Ultimately the competitiveness of both teams kept them at an even draw 0-0 to finish off the game.
“It was disappointing to not win a game like that, but we’re not mad about it. I mean, we obviously wish we won in that game, but we’ve got to move on.” Edelman said. “We just got to create more chances going forward and we got to finish a chance when we get one.”
At about 8 pm, the girls’ match began against Westfield. The Girls Varsity Team started off strong, playing with high pressure and making quick substitutions to keep up the level of quick play. Toward the middle of the first half twenty-one minutes in, Westfield took the lead for the first time in the stadium after floating a long ball over the head of the SPF keeper Joslyn Odom, and into the back corner of the net. The SPF Varsity Girls worked to win back the ball but couldn’t manage to find the right opportunities to even the score. During the second half the SPFHS girls maintained possession majority of the time, however, Westfield found the opportunity to score another goal, which was then called back as offside with eleven minutes remaining. Westfield took control of the SPF Girls style of play adding pressure without a moment to waste. This allowed them to win 1-0 by the end of the night.
The game concluded toward 10 pm, however, the rivalry between Westfield and SPFHS still lives on. Both sides put forth their best effort in the stadium but it was not enough to earn them a victory over Westfield.
