Mimbas Making Magic in Overtime

Out Quotes: “We use this time not only to become better soccer players, but [to become] better teammates because individuals don’t win games, teams do.” —Charlotte Ruhl, co-captain and senior

The Mimbas, Stuyvesant’s girls’ soccer team, clinched a playoff berth with a 4-2 victory against LaGuardia High School. The team needed to win two of the last three games to make the playoffs and did so.The team also beat its rival, Lab Museum United, 4-3 in overtime two days prior to the LaGuardia game.

The win against Lab Museum United was not only crucial for the playoffs, but was also payback because the Mimbas had lost to them 3-2 in overtime earlier this season. The second game did not start well for them, falling behind 3-1 early. However, once the second half started, they quickly scored two goals, tying the game. When they entered overtime, Lab Museum United picked up the physicality, and in the last 30 seconds, the refs called a direct free kick, which sophomore Selene Kaehny drilled into the goal. “When my shot went right over the keeper's head I was in shock. [I’m] not going to lie: I started crying a little bit because the entire team ran over to me and started hugging and screaming,” she said.

The wins against Lab Museum United and LaGuardia High School showcased the Mimbas strength of the underclassmen on the team, since they scored seven of the eight goals during this two game stretch. Kaehny scored three, sophomore Eve Wening scored two, and freshman Aki Yamaguchi scored two. Furthermore, sophomore goalie Emory Walsh has stepped up and been a tremendous player for the team, saving 26 shots over the past two games.

The Mimbas had many cancelled games due to weather, and they used that time wisely. “We stayed really focused during the time that we had off and just kept practicing really hard,” senior and co-captain Saloni Majmudar said. They also used this time to bond and become more close-knit than before. “We use this time not only to become better soccer players, but [to become] better teammates because individuals don’t win games, teams do,” senior and co-captain Charlotte Ruhl said.

The Mimbas are excited and ready for the playoffs, and they could not be coming at a better time. Since September 19, the team has gone 5-1 and hopes to continue the hot streak into the playoffs. Last year, the team finished with a similar record and lost in the first round in the playoffs, but the team believes it can go further than it has before. “[In] the past two games, our skill level as a team has just skyrocketed. I’ve never seen us play like this before.” Kaehny said.