On paper, the Palisades High girls varsity soccer team looked like a juggernaut heading into Wednesday’s home game against Hamilton.
After all, the Dolphins were undefeated in seven Western League games and had outscored the opposition 42-1. However, the one goal Palisades allowed was to the Yankees in a 3-1 victory in the teams’ previous meeting Dec. 11.
This time, the Dolphins had the advantage playing on their faster turf field at Stadium by the Sea, but the rematch between the league’s first and second place squads proved to be a little tougher than anticipated. Despite dominating the final 70 minutes, Palisades scored only once and settled for a 1-1 draw.
The visiting Yankees struck first in the opening minute when Kellianne Nugent kicked in a loose ball off a corner kick by Melissa Almazan and for the first time in eight league contests, the Dolphins found themselves behind.
Fortunately, the Dolphins had plenty of time to come back, but despite numerous opportunities late in the first half they were unable to put one past Hamilton goalkeeper Sophia Whyte.
The second half was more of the same, with the Dolphins threatening but unable to finish. Finally, in the 55th minute, Kaitlyn Parcell curved a corner kick into the penalty box and Haydn Peffer was there to head it inside the far post for the equalizer.
Palisades kept the pressure on for the remainder of the game but when the final whistle blew it almost felt more like a loss on the Palisades sideline. Still, the Dolphins (8-2-2 overall, 7-0-1 in league) remained atop the league standings, one and a half games ahead of Hamilton (7-4-3, 5-0-1) and LACES (11-1-3, 5-1-2).
“Let this be our wake-up call for the rest of the season,” Pali High head coach Christian Chambers told his players.
The Dolphins resume league play Friday afternoon at sixth-place Westchester.
— Steve Galluzzo
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