Emelie Asenjo's goal gets Half Hollow Hills West rolling on path to victory
Emelie Asenjo of Half Hollow Hills West redirects a pass looking to put a shot on goal against Smithtown West during a Suffolk Division II girls soccer game at Half Hollow Hills West on Monday. Credit: David Meisenholder
It took just 24 seconds after the opening whistle for the Half Hollow Hills West girls soccer team to take control — and they never let it go.
On the opening play of the game, sophomore Emelie Asenjo dribbled down the right side of the field and launched the ball into the top left corner of the net, giving the Colts the start that they needed in their 3-0 win at home over Smithtown West in Suffolk II on Monday.
“We’ve been talking about starting the game early and on fire this whole season,” Asenjo said. “I think that quick start really gave us the confidence we needed for the rest of the game.”
Twelve minutes later, senior Gale Kurland buried a feed from Victoria Valdes, slipping past a defender to score from the middle.
“She’s a big leader on this team and is always able to do whatever we need,” coach Tim Harrigan said. “She can control the middle of the field, she can defend, and she’s able to attack. She’s just the ultimate team-player.”
From there, Hills West settled in, controlling the tempo and waiting for the next opening, which didn’t come until more than halfway through the second half. Senior Lia Cavorti sent a pass through the defenders up the field and found freshman Ella Candel, who broke free for a one-on-one with the goalie.
“We saw at halftime that we had an opportunity to play that ball,” Harrigan said.
“And then Lia put a perfect ball through for her to just run on it and put it in the back of the net,”
Connections like those are no coincidence. It’s the kind of chemistry Cavorti says starts long before game day.
“We’ve all gotten so close over the course of the season,” Cavorti said. “Having that trust and confidence in one another really helps us when it’s time to get onto the field.”
The Colts recorded their fourth shutout of the season, thanks to junior goalkeeper Zoey Franks, who made 10 saves in the win.
“There are so many shots and chances that teams get that you wouldn’t even expect anyone to be able to save,” Asenjo said. “But somehow, she gets those, and it’s been huge for us this season.”
Goalie Madison May made 11 saves for Smithtown West (3-5-1).
Monday’s win meant more than just another shutout for Hills West (6-1-1)- it was redemption. Smithtown West has knocked the Colts out of the playoffs for the past two seasons.
“This game meant a lot to us,” Harrigan said. “This is a team that bounced us from the playoffs and beat us in the county championship a couple of years ago. So they came to play.”
