For the first time, the varsity boys’ soccer team participated in the NYCAL league this fall when they competed in the ISAL league before. This year, the LFNY team took on many new schools in their league, including: Loyola, Trevor Day, Calhoun, Columbia Prep, and Browning. The team played an exceptional season and was the winner of the NYCAL regular season and post-season, holding a stellar 9-1 record.
After defeating Loyola School 3-1, the Varsity boys advanced to the NYCAL Finals. During a particularly tense and aggressive game against Columbia Prep, LFNY triumphed 2-1 in the Finals and claimed its title as NYCAL Champions.
LFNY Varsity Boys against Columbia Prep, on October 23, 2013.
Having won the NYCAL league, the Varsity Boys qualified for the NYSAIS post-season league. LFNY lost to Riverdale 0-4 in the quarterfinals. LFNY ranked overall #6 in the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association.
Anthony M., Y12 student.
The Varsity Girl’s Soccer team has proved that hard work and dedication pays off in the end.
For a few years now, the team has been struggling to find its form. Nonetheless, it seems that they did not let this stop them from starting fresh and full of motivation this season. Having welcomed a new coach and assistant coach as well as new members, the team was eager to improve its results and all around performance on the field.
From the very beginning, Eric Cielenou and Katherine Lopez’s main focus was to take the team to the next level and do better than during the previous years. To do so, Mr. Cielenou explained that he firstly wished to develop the players’ individual skills in order to elevate the collective level of play and secondly, to create a strong bond amongst the players and diffuse more positive team spirit. At the traditional end-of-season pizza party, Sophie E. of 3ème1 rightfully said “We came into the season as separate players, and we came out of it as a team.”
The LFNY Varsity Girls soccer team with coach Eric Cielenou.
Throughout the season, the girls practiced several times a week. They progressively became a stronger team and showed good signs of improvement. During matches, they displayed high intensity and the will to fight, to win. One of their most impressive wins came when they beat the Lycée’s biggest rival, FASNY. The girls all agreed that winning this match was particularly thrilling because it had been very close until the very end. It was only late in the second half that the Lycée was able to score the deciding goal and bring home the victory. The final score was 4-3. Even though LFNY vs FASNY was a friendly game, it was this type of commendable effort that landed them in their first ever league play-offs, where they unfortunately lost 4-1 in the first round to Columbia Prep, an experienced adversary. In all, they won 5 matches, tied 2 , and lost 6.
While this is already reassuring proof of progress, the Varsity Girl’s Soccer team continues to look forward. They aspire to make it to the league finals next year, and perhaps even win the entire league in the long run. One thing for sure is that they need more players and hope to get more girls involved in the program so if you are interested, don’t hesitate!
Aurora F., Y11 student.
About the Author :
John Burpoe has been working in education for thirty years, and joined the Lycée team in 2012. Previously, he held the same position at Friends Seminary and Xavier High School. John received a master’s degree from Fordham University School of Education. He enjoys running during his free time.