“Ain't No Mountain High Enough”: Varsity Girls Soccer Eyes Postseason Berth

Heading into the 2022 varsity girls soccer season, coach Juan Cobos laid out a clear and concise goal for his squad: Qualify for the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) playoffs.

"On a game-by-game basis, we wanted to show teams that we are here to compete," Cobos said. "The message to the team has been taken to heart as we get deeper into the season. The belief is there and the hard work that follows is an indicator that we are ready for a bigger stage."

Indeed.

The upstart Panthers have been a revelation in FAA play this season, scratching their way to 1-2-1 record through four matches. After dropping their first two league games against Greenwich Academy and King School, Masters earned a hard-fought 3-3 draw at Greenwich Country Day School (GCSD) on October 6. They then followed it up with a 9-2 win at Hamden Hall on October 8.

Hannah Schapiro dominated during the two-game stretch, totaling an eye-popping seven goals. She notched all three in the match against GCDS, which saw the Panthers claw back from a 3-1 deficit to secure a much-needed point. 

Schapiro's superb play has been a constant all season for Masters.  

"When you have an athlete that has had a direct influence on 15 out of the team’s 26 goals (this season), it is easy to see she is an important member of the team," Cobos said. "That ability to create chances for herself comes so naturally to her. What I would say is more important is her leadership on the field. She has this quiet confidence but is focused on helping the others on the team develop their own game."

Schapiro downplayed her white-hot start to the 2022 campaign, instead deflecting the attention toward her teammates and coaches. 

"I have been able to score so many goals because of my teammates and coaches," said Schapiro, who will play Division I women's soccer at the University of Maryland next year. "My teammates have set me up to score and, without them, the goals would not be possible. The coaches have been nothing but encouraging and they organize the team in a way that has led to our success."
 
The nine goals against Hamden Hall were a season-high for the Panthers, who have compiled an overall record of 2-3-2 and amassed an impressive 32 goals as a team. 

Anna Moscato ’25, Charlize Von Spiegel ’25, Natalie Beit ’25, Anna Shub ’25 and Julissa Casiano ’25 also contributed to the offensive barrage against Hamden Hall with one goal apiece. Clio Foley ’26 added two assists. 

"Hamden Hall was a game where, offensively, we started to click," Cobos said. "Our forwards and wings made the runs they needed to make and the passes were there to meet them. It showed we have the goals in the squad to keep pace with anyone."

Masters maintained its impressive form in a 6-1 win over the visiting Harvey School on October 13. Schapiro (3G, 2A), Casiano (1G, 1A), Shub (1G), Mia Steinwurtzel ’26 (1G) and Moscato (1A) all got on the scoresheet. 

The Panthers will look to keep their three-match unbeaten streak intact as they travel to face FAA foe St. Luke's on October 15. 

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