The Gilmour Academy varsity girls soccer team started the 2021 season on the right foot as the Lancers edged local rival Hawken School 1-0 in GA's season opener this past Saturday at Weber Stadium.
The match doubled as a successful debut for Gilmour's first-year head coach Robert Harrison. Taking over the job not long before the season began, Harrison came to Gilmour after serving as an assistant coach for a Twinsburg High School team that saw much postseason success during his tenure.
Adeline Nemeth '24 scored the game's only goal, courtesy of an assist from Cooper Flowers '22. Stacy Barresi '24 made seven saves in net to earn the shutout.
Barresi was especially key in the first half as the visitors had the most dangerous chances. The sophomore made at least three key stops of promising Hawken shots, including one where she charged out, closed down the angle and got a piece of the ball to deflect it wide.
After the halftime intermission, Gilmour found much more of an offensive rhythm. The Lancers began looking more dangerous and found their breakthrough just over 10 minutes into the second half.
Flowers began the scoring sequence by chesting down a ball with a defender on her back. She spun around, heading toward the end line. She played a low cross from the right flank as she was falling to the ground. Nemeth made a great run to the back post and reached out with her left foot to toe-poke the ball inside the side netting.
Gilmour had a great chance to double its lead only a couple minutes later as Brooklyn Steiner '24 drew a penalty kick. However, the Hawken goalkeeper was able to make a save to keep the margin at one.
The Lancers' defense was able to see out the match without much issue, not allowing Hawken many good looks at a potential tying goal.
The Lancers and Hawks had played to a 2-2 tie the last time they met in 2019 as last season's match was canceled amidst the pandemic.
Gilmour's junior varsity team also posted a shutout of Hawken in its season opener, walking away with a 2-0 victory. Emma Kehres '24 and Elaina Kline-Ruminski '25 each scored for Gilmour.
The win over Hawken was the start of a 16-game regular-season slate for the Lancers. Gilmour will play two matches per week in each of the next three weeks.
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