RHS Boys’ Soccer
Garnets Strike Early in Win Over Harrison

Decked out in new uniforms resembling those worn by Italian football club A.C. Milan, the Garnets walked single-file down to Manhattanville’s GoValiants.com Field September 20, where undefeated Harrison awaited them.
Boosted perhaps by their new duds – red and black stripes on the front, gold numbers and lettering in back – Rye wasted no time going on the offensive against the Huskies in the annual rivalry game. Juan Chang delivered a Garnet goal just over four minutes into the contest, and it eventually proved to be the game-winner in the physical 1-0 clash.
“With our defense being lights out, getting that early goal was big,” said head coach Jared Small. “We needed to go up quickly, and I think that score – along with those new A.C. Milan uniforms – gave us a lot of early confidence.”
Chang, a junior, found the back of the net on an assist from fellow junior Tim Lonergan. With Harrison’s goalie out of position, Chang easily connected. Rye controlled possession for much of the first half, but never had a similar scoring opportunity. The Garnets’ defense, though, was in rare form and buckled down. James Barbour, Matt O’Neill, Eddie Walter, Lonergan, Mack Woodruff and Matt Benincasa were a brick wall in front of goal. Barbour continually harassed Harrison players up and down the pitch, refusing to relent until the contest had concluded. O’Neill was also a force, flying around the field to break up any offense the Huskies tried to muster. Rye goalkeeper James Rimmer finished with four saves.
Harrison defeated Rye 2-1 in 2007’s meeting. This year’s senior-laden team has not forgotten the heartbreak of the overtime loss.
“We did it,” exclaimed Barbour, a senior captain, afterwards. “It’s an amazing feeling, especially after what happened last year.”
With the win, the Garnets improved their record to 5-1. In turn, they smeared the Huskies’ previously perfect mark. Rye has now outscored opponents 19-1 over six games.
“That was a Class A win right there,” said Small. “It was a huge victory for us against a great rival.”
Rye’s next contest is September 27, at Nugent Stadium against Edgemont. They head to Byram Hills October 6, in a Section semifinal rematch with the State champs. Byram Hills edged the Garnets 1-0 in the semis last year.