Sports

Kick start: Copulsky’s big leg propels Riverdale past Dalton

Dalton's Deborah Altaras dribbles through the Riverdale defense.

Dalton’s Deborah Altaras dribbles through the Riverdale defense. (Lauren Marsh)

Rachel Copulsky’s left leg wasn’t always this deadly. The Riverdale senior said her strength, power and pace on deep balls ino the box have developed over time.

“We have been working on that since freshmen year,” Copulsky said. “It’s been something that I’ve been trying to develop. It kind of grew as I got older.”

The midfielder’s powerful, well-placed kicks have led to plenty of goals in the early season for Riverdale. Copulsky played a role in each of the Falcons’ scores in a 3-1 win over visiting Dalton in Ivy League girls soccer Wednesday. She tallied a goal and an assist and set up freshman Sarah Horne’s goal with a free kick into the box from just over midfield.

“The ability to put those balls right in there, it’s a talent,” Riverdale coach Orlando Osorio said. “It’s a gift for that particular kid.”

Copulsky has four goals and three assists in three games this season after missing time last year with concussion issues and torn ligaments in her ankle. Midway through the second half, her free kick was deflected out to Ali Hyman. She sent a cross to a charging freshman Sarah Horne, who slammed it into the left corner of the net to give Riverdale a 1-0 lead at the half.

“She is being more success ful than ever before,” Osorio said of Copulsky. “She’s getting that timing.”

It didn’t take long for Copulsky and Riverdale, (2-0-0), ranked No. 3 in the city by The Post, to strike again. She curved a 35-yard free kick to the far post. Classmate Isabella Bertagna made a run to the net and headed it in past Dalton keeper Olivia Katz in the 47th minute. Osorio said it was similar to the goal the two connected on in a win over Hackley on Monday.

“I didn’t know I was trying to hit it with my head,” Bertagna said. “I just ran into it and that’s where it was so I headed it in.”

Copulsky said she has asked her own goalkeepers where is the best place to put a ball to make their lives difficult. The final score came when Copulsky blasted a free kick from 30 yards to the top left corner. It was the second of the kind she’s scored this season.

Dalton finally got on the board when senior Maddie Blake scored to the near post after a scramble in the box off a Taylor Wright corner kick in the 57th minute. The Tigers, who lost the majority of their starters from last season, had plenty of quality scoring chances throughout the game. They controlled play for large portions of both halves thanks to forward Charlotte Hersch and midfielder Rosie Ehrlich, but didn’t get another tally to show for it.

“We are learning to play together,” Blake said, … “We didn’t put some of our shots away, but we worked well as a team.”

Wright sent a cross to Annelise Steele, who forced freshman keeper Jennifer Kronish to make a diving save to the near post in the 53 minute. That was one of 12 saves for Kronish. Riverdale freshman sweeper Sarah Tiffany took a near goal off the line late in the second half.

“If they can do it now they are only going to get better,” Bertagna said.

Better is exactly what Copulsky has gotten at her deep kicks. The hard work has led to plenty of goals in the early season and a fantastic start to her senior year.

“I really want to make an impact on the team,” Copulsky said. “I want this team to do well. I love these girls. I’m just trying to do everything I can.”