Mimbas Ousted Out of Playoffs After a Great Season

The Mimbas had been preparing all season for their moment—the moment where all the hard work would finally pay off and they would make their school proud. This moment came in the Stuyvesant Mimbas’ first-round playoff game in the Class A playoffs. At Forest Hills, the girls were playing in a hard-fought game against Fort Hamilton High School. Backed by the terrific play of co-captains Aki Yamaguchi and Selene Kaehny, the Mimbas used grit and toughness to come out with a 4-0 win in a tough environment on a Saturday morning. As a result, the Mimbas advanced to the second round of the playoffs where they would face the fourth-seeded Susan Wagner.

The Mimbas had a quick turnaround to prepare for another win-or-go-home match. On Monday afternoon, the Mimbas were fired up for the potential upset that was before them. They felt they were ready. But at kickoff, the whole mood changed. Susan Wagner began maintaining possession and controlling the tempo of the game at their own will. Throughout the game, the Mimbas failed to gain momentum and lost 2-0 after a defensive and well-played game. The girls were upset, as they have the right to be, but they knew the caliber of their opponent would be difficult to overcome. Yamaguchi credited Susan Wagner’s play, saying, “Susan Wagner is a great team and we played with all we got.”

Throughout the game, the Mimbas lacked offensive firepower and could only piece together a few shots on goal. The Mimbas also got dominated in the midfield as Susan Wagner maintained a greater percentage of possession and better team shape, advancing the ball with ease.

The way Stuyvesant played Susan Wagner was a mirror image of the Mimbas’ games against the elite competition this season. During the season, the Mimbas had great all-around games against the most elite competition. The Mimbas held Beacon and Bronx Science, the two best teams in the division, to a combined total of three goals. This team had a great all-around defense in those games with great saves from the senior goalkeeper, Emory Walsh. However, though they played solidly, they could never get over the hump and struggled to finish in the final third in order to upset one of these powerhouses.

Throughout the season, the Mimbas had players in terrific goal-scoring form: sophomore Lucinda Bryce and Yamaguchi. The goal-scoring was a strength of this year’s Mimbas team that can hopefully carry into next season. If the goal-scoring remains, the Mimbas are poised to have one of the most dangerous offenses in the 2021 PSAL A division. However, on the back end, things don’t look as promising. The defense is going to need an overhaul, as both starting center-backs Selene Kaehny and Sophie Nichol will graduate later this year. Underclassmen defenders Allison Chan and Francesca Nemati will have enhanced roles and large shoes to fill next season. In addition, the heart and soul of the defense, Walsh, will be graduating this spring as well.

The Mimbas have had a great season marked by a great playoff win and many competitive league games. But most of all, the Mimbas had a season filled with joy and laughter that has now come to a close after a heartbreaking playoff loss. But, they will be back with next year looking to avenge this year’s unfulfilling end.