The Edison High School varsity girls soccer team had a hard-fought GMC Invitational, securing three wins before fighting a close final against South River High School. 

On October 17, the varsity girls soccer team defeated East Brunswick Magnet School 7–0. The game started with Emily Pregnolato ‘29 scoring a goal assisted by Samantha Stryker ‘27. After that goal, the Eagles continued scoring while preventing the opposition from holding possession, resulting in a 5–0 lead over East Brunswick Magnet at halftime.

Throughout the second half, Edison maintained their control, scoring two more goals to finish with a 7–0 triumph. Jayana Peterson ‘27 scored the last goal with an assist from captain Emma Petreski ‘26.

After Edison’s seven goals, the game lasted for thirty more minutes, featuring a standstill between East Brunswick and Edison’s players. Ultimately, this standstill maintained Edison’s 7–0 lead, which resulted in their victory.

“Our first round GMC Invitational game was played against East Brunswick Magnet. We were able to get that 7–0 win, setting us up for the second round of the GMC,” said Peterson.

EHS vs. Dunellen

Three days later, Edison followed up their win against East Brunswick Magnet with a victory over Dunellen High School. EHS won the game against Dunellen 7–1. The game started with Dunellen scoring the first point on Edison, making the score 0–1, but EHS held their defense tight, preventing Dunellan from scoring again for the rest of the game. 

“We started down 0–1, but we were able to come together and recognise what needed to happen,” said Peterson.

After Dunellen’s first point in the first half, EHS fought back; they focused on defense while maintaining a heavy offense, enabling the team to score seven consecutive points to secure a 7–1 victory. 

“We were able to put up a 7–1 win with 5 goals from Pregnolato and 1 each from both Stryker and Kimberly Ochoa ‘26,” said Peterson.

EHS vs. Perth Amboy

After the two wins against East Brunswick Magnet School and Dunellen High School, the Eagles picked up their third consecutive win in a game against Perth Amboy High School. 

“I think our team’s mentality was just to go out hard and not play down to them since we had previously beaten them 5–1. I feel it was one of the best games we played yet, and we locked down on our defense to shut them out, which I was proud of,” said Kate Weid ‘28.

The Eagles kept their guard up and played tight defense, preventing Perth Amboy from scoring and also scoring two points on offense. This game also resulted in Gianna Espinal ‘29 scoring her first goal on the EHS varsity team.

“One of our freshmen this year, Gianna Espinal, was able to secure her first goal during the Perth Amboy game. She has been working so hard throughout the season, and I am really proud of her,” said Sydney Huertas ‘26.

Huertas acknowledged Espinal’s progress throughout the fall soccer season and shared her gratitude for her teammates’ efforts in games, which contributed to her own success.

 “I am very proud of my teammates; they have saved me so many times (my defense, especially Petreski, April Herrera ‘26, Ochoa, Weid, and Adia Abi ‘29), and I really appreciate them,” said Huertas.

EHS vs. South River

Perth Amboy vs. Edison concluded in a 2–0 win for the Eagles, and their next game was against South River in the GMC Finals.

Initially, Edison and South River contested a tight game, with the teams scoring 2 points each throughout the first and second halves.

“In the first half, we were down one with just a couple shots on goal, and we came in the second half with the energy needed. In the second half, I was able to get a goal to tie up the game, and South River quickly got another one on us, leaving us at two to one,” said Peterson, “Our second goal came from Samantha Stryker, tying it up with an amazing shot on goal, sending us into overtime. We had a couple of shots in the second half from Kate and Emily, and many saves from our senior goalie, Sydney Huertas.”

Ultimately, the Eagles lost the GMC finals after a valiant effort. However, there was a significantly positive post-game sentiment, despite the result.

“I am glad to say that we played so well, giving it our all playing in the finals against South River. We came to the field knowing it was going to be a hard game, and we gave it our all,” said Peterson.

Season Reflections

Although the Eagles lost to South River in the GMC finals, the three previous GMC Invitational games were important wins for the team’s morale. 

“These games were what we needed as a team after a losing streak. We were able to play as a team and create opportunities to score, which is how we won all these games,” said Pregnolato. “This was an excellent way to end our season with a win streak after having a shaky start. It helps us grow our confidence and gets us ready for next season.”

Pregnolato and fellow Eagles believe this sequence of wins was needed to boost confidence and improve the team. 

“I believe that we as a team played very well together! We made sure the energy was very high, and we were very determined to win. Every game, we made sure to communicate and work off of one another, and it really helped us,” said Huertas.

These few games were significant in the team’s unity and communication, which will continue to be built throughout the next season.

“We had a difficult start to the season, so making it all the way to the finals of the GMC Invitational really meant a lot to us. Our first couple of games in the tournament went great, and our match against South River was definitely competitive; it was a very unfortunate loss. Even though the ending was tough, it showed how much we’ve grown as a team and how hard everyone worked to get there,” said Captain Petreski.

Petreski’s comments reflect the team’s feelings behind the GMC Invitational’s outcome, ending the season on a positive note. Looking at a more general stance, Peterson reflects on the team’s improvement and commitment, resulting in their win streak.

“I believe we have improved so much as a team from morning workouts in July at 8 a.m. to our very last home game. Thanks to Coach Moldowney, Coach Murelli, and our team’s commitment, we were able to go from a 2–13 record in the white division playing the red to a 7–14 record with our five-game win streak towards the very end of our season,” said Peterson.

Pregnolato and fellow Eagles believe this sequence of wins was needed to boost confidence and improve the team.

“I believe that we as a team played very well together! We made sure the energy was very high, and we were very determined to win. Every game, we made sure to communicate and work off of one another, and it really helped us,” said Huertas.

These few games were significant in the team’s unity and communication, which will continue to be built throughout the next season.

“We had a difficult start to the season, so making it all the way to the finals of the GMC Invitational really meant a lot to us. Our first couple of games in the tournament went great, and our match against South River was definitely competitive; it was a very unfortunate loss. Even though the ending was tough, it showed how much we’ve grown as a team and how hard everyone worked to get there,” said Captain Petreski.

Petreski’s comments reflect the team’s feelings behind the GMC Invitational’s outcome, ending the season on a positive note. Looking at a more general stance, Peterson reflects on the team’s improvement and commitment, resulting in their win streak.

“I believe we have improved so much as a team from morning workouts in July at 8 a.m. to our very last home game. Thanks to Coach Moldowney, Coach Murelli, and our team’s commitment, we were able to go from a 2–13 record in the white division playing the red to a 7–14 record with our five-game win streak towards the very end of our season,” said Peterson.