The girls soccer team improved to 3-0 on the season with a 2-0 victory over Pompton Lakes on Thursday. 

The Panthers’ hot start continued as the team recorded their third straight shutout to start the season. Glen Rock quickly stole the ball from Pompton defenders, and pushed towards the net drawing a foul. Yuki Shibuya was awarded a penalty kick just 41 seconds into the match, but her shot sailed narrowly over the crossbar keeping the score knotted at zero. 

It took until the 16th minute for either team to break through, which they did when sophomore Carly Kopelman found herself alone with the entire left side of the net open after receiving a perfect pass from senior Marni Flack; she was able to bury the goal for the lead.

In the 21st minute, Pompton Lakes’ defenders were called for a handball. On the ensuing free kick, Flack provided some deception before dropping the ball back to senior Aly Novick who sent home a long shot to extend the Panthers’ lead. 

Things got a little feisty in the 38th minute after a yellow card was called on a Cardinals’ attacker. The Pompton player adamantly  protested the call, resulting in the card.  At this point, a sideline photographer from Pompton Lakes expressed his disagreement with the official who exchanged words with the photographer. Once things seemed to settle down, the photographer engaged with taunts coming from Glen Rock parents. The parents seemed to be frustrated with the man’s disregard for COVID-19 protocols.  The parents yelled back and forth with the man on the field; the official then reprimanded a Panther mom for her role in provoking the matter. 

The tally from the 21st minute stood final as the pace of play slowed in the second half. Glen Rock seemed to play a bit more passive in protection of their lead. The defense of Luftman, senior Rylie Duncan, junior Julia Corry, And senior Maeve Williams rarely allowed Pompton to control the ball across midfield. They were able to possess all loose balls, and were aided by the relentless pressure provided from their attackers Stella Traphagen, Giulia Olano, as well as Flack, Novick, and Kopelman. 

Junior goalkeeper Sophia Pappalardo is yet to be beaten this year, stopping one in today’s game in addition to the three shots she had faced in the previous two games. Kopelman took the team lead with her third goal of the year. This lead only stood for five minutes until Novick tallied her 3rd as well. Flack leads the team in points with six and assists with four. 

The Panthers’ next varsity game will be Wednesday at Eastern Christian at 4:15p.m., and their next home game will be next Friday against Hawthorne at 4p.m.