John Jay Lax Starts Season 6-0

CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - On Thursday, April 11, John Jay looked to continue their undefeated season versus Bronxville, and a 6-1 in the third had the Wolves on track. But two quick goals by the Broncos did raise a little doubt. So John Jay simply resumed the regular discourse that has gotten them to 5-0.

“We just needed to up our communication and work together on defense,” said Jordan Kauftheil, and it didn’t hurt that the middie put in the next goal to lead the home team to a 9-5 victory.

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The game started in the favor of the Broncos, though. Bronxville won the opening scramble, and Maddy Williams scored on the penalty shot at 10:23.

So the Degl sisters set things right. Jojo Degl took the draw out of the air, curled down the home bleacher sideline, and cutting inside, up went Finja Degl’s antennae. Little sister was honed in for big sister’s pass, and juking by two defenders, she tied the game at one.

Up for more, Jojo Degl got the draw on a bounce this time, and once again spotted her sister on the curl. But Finja had the extended Wolves family in mind and connected with Amelia Inglis in the end zone.

Dragging her defender around the goal, Inglis passed to Jojo Degl on the 15, and the junior hit the rewind button to Finja. On the way forward, she took the lead, and in going over hand past Gabbi Bici, the younger’s beeline left no doubt who her favorite celebration partner is.

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Her sister, clarified Finja Degl, “She’s my ride or die.”

9:53 left in the first, Jojo Degl forced Bronxville to triple-take. Another solo secure on the draw, she cruised the sideline but pulled back. The set up allowing everyone the chance to breathe, the exhale had the same result. Jojo Degl drew the penalty with a move on the right and scored on the penalty at 8:31.

First hug to Finja, the rest of the Wolves are always happy to oblige the family affair. “They know our bond,” Finja assured. “It’s kind of like, it’s Jo and Finja.”

Good for a 3-1 game, Degl switched directions. She captured the draw on the player sideline and went outside the family. Inside  to Kauftheil, she was quickly surrounded and the penalty whistle blew. The sophomore then set up, rushed the goal and easily found the net at 7:58.

No goals for the rest of the period, Jojo Degl dialed into the second and did her thing at the middle of the field. Quick on the draw, she went back with her catcher for possession, and moving forward, it was just a matter of patience.

The Wolves worked the ball around, and after Nicole DiNapoli hit Kauftheil in front, she swung around the defender for a one on one with Bici. Faking left and right, the attacker had her opening, and the lead grew to four at 10:31.

The subsequent draw to Degl, she proved only human on the possession, and an overthrow to DiNapoli in the end zone gave Bronxville a chance. No problem, Kauftheil had her teammate’s back. On a pass into the crease, the middie stepped in, and she was off the other way.

Four minutes off ball control, John Jay eventually surrendered possession on a kick save by Bici. The defense stood firm nonetheless.

Molly Gallagher stopped a point blank shot on the left, and Finja Degl’s deflection gained possession, which allowed the Wolves to take their 5-1 lead into intermission.

On schedule, the Degl train continued on the face off. But the best she could do was hit the post, and Bronxville came away. Deep in, Charlotte Murray wasn’t able to control the ball and Gallagher reached up to secure.

John Jay’s turn again, Finja Degl was denied by Bici’s kick save, so Jojo cleaned up her sister’s mess. On the goal line, she swung all the way around, and no stopping her circumnavigation, the whistle blew. Penalty shot, Degl went straight on and scored on the bounce.

Now 6-1 with 6:15 remaining, Bronxville answered. Amy Villanueva and Williams scored on penalty shots, and now the Wolves were put to the test.

Fortunately, the Degl sisters had the cheat sheet. Up Jojo’s draw went, under raced Finja, and into the end zone began the set up.

The ball lost anyway, Finja Degl would have none of that. She charged hard at the Bronxville blue and retook possession.

Another set up ensuing, Inglis passed out to Kauftheil, and she gave credit elsewhere with 7.5 seconds remaining. “My teammates got me some space, and I just went for it,” she said.”It went in.”

The momentum shifted, Jojo Degl made sure. The middie scored on two penalty shots in the early goings of the fourth, and her sister provided the kicker at the end.

“I love the way the team is working together. We have such a great bond, and it’s only the fifth game,” Finja Degl concluded. “I’m excited to see where this season goes.”

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