On Oct. 30 the Hawthorne girls’ soccer team played against Hasbrouck Heights in the first round of states. The game started around 2 p.m. as the entire Hawthorne High School student body and faculty had the privilege to go and support. Hawthorne ultimately beat Hasbrouck Heights 4-0. 

Heather Bertollo contributed 1 goal, and Briana Andreoli scored the rest of the goals. The goalkeeper Gabriella Del Valle had six saves for Hawthorne as well. Due to the team’s victory the soccer team played again on Nov. 1.

The Bears again played at home due to their high seeding and faced the Pompton Lakes Cardinals. Heather Bertollo started the scoring for the Bears as she booted in the first goal. Soon after, her teammate Alejandra Castillo scored the game’s second goal. The Cardinals responded by scoring a goal of their own but Hawthorne quickly answered. Freshmen Briana Andreoli scored the final two goals of the night. The final score was 4-1 as the Bears took home another victory.

Goalie Gabriella Del Valle had 5 saves throughout the game as the defense played exceptionally well, keeping the Cardinals far from their goal for a majority of the game. Briana Andreoli had two assists as well and Heather Bertollo had one.

The next game the girls played was on Nov. 7 against the Mountain Lakes Lakers. The stands were full of energy as the Bears and Lakers went back and forth scoring multiple goals. Heather Bertollo, Alejandra Castillo, Briana Andreoli, and Ruby Conroy each added a goal of their own, as Gabriella Del Valle had 14 saves. The game went into overtime, but ultimately Hawthorne won 4-3.

With a win against Mountain Lakes, the girls’ soccer team headed to the Sectional North 1, Group 1 Finals. The Bears competed against Midland Park, playing their first game in the tournament not on their home field. It was an early morning game, but both teams came to play an with great intensity and excitement.

With two goals for the Midland Park Panthers and two goals for the Bears at the end of regulation, kicked in by freshmen Ruby Conroy and Briana Andreoli, the teams headed into overtime. Both 15 minute overtime sessions ended without a goal from either team and therefore resulted in penalty kicks. Unfortunately, the Bears were defeated in penalty kicks, 4-2 but nonetheless played an outstanding game. A large population of Bears fans were at the game and were sure to support the girls’ team!

We congratulate the team on all their victories and an amazing season!