Kennedy Catholic Girls Soccer Team Poised For Playoff Run

SOMERS—Two years ago the Kennedy Catholic girls soccer team won just three games. With a new head coach, last year’s team went 8-5 before losing to Blind Brook in the opening round of the sectionals. Now, in his second year as coach, Helmut Gspurning is looking to take another step forward.

“Our expectations are high,” Gspurning said. “My expectation is to win the league. We lost two starters, but we gained two strong freshman girls, so in my eyes we didn’t really lose anybody.”

The Gaels welcome back All-Section midfielder Catherine Kastberg and All-League goalie Allie Petrullo. They also have captain Kathryn A'Hearn along with Shannon Spillane, Moira Tolan and Mackenzie Feehan.

“A’Hearn is in her fourth year on varsity, she’s strong,” Gspurning said. “I expect her to provide leadership and guidance, and for her to lead the defense.”

The Gaels will also look to some newcomers to step in and make an impact. Among them is Ariana Dierdjaj, who Gspurning expects will be able to step into an opening in the starting lineup and contribute immediately.

The Gaels will compete in League 1-B with Dover, Beacon, North Salem and Pawling.

“We hope to win the league, but you’ve got to take one game at a time,” Gspurning said. “We’re strong all the way down the bench, we’ve got two or three girls at each position, and everybody plays pretty much every position.”

The Gaels open their season on Saturday, September 11 at Putnam Valley at 11 a.m. After that they play at Lakeland on Monday at 6:30 p.m. and follow that up with a game at Walter Panas at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.