Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Baldwin girls’ soccer playoff streak is over at six years.
It had a chance to sneak into the postseason in its regular-season-finale against Roslyn and played to a scoreless draw at halftime on Oct. 18 at home, But the second half went awry and the Bruins dropped a 2-0 decision, finishing the year at 3-7-2 in Conference AA/AAA3 (5-9-2 overall).
The conference was filled with parity, giving Baldwin a chance despite its sub-500 record. It started winless in its first five games before a mid-to-late-season playoff push.
“It’s tough when you get that close,’’ Bruins coach Lee Rogers said. “It’s disappointing because we could’ve had a good chance in the playoffs.’’
There were still bright spots as freshman Maliah Robinson exploded for 10 goals. The netkeeper, junior Dee Ikechukwu, was named Conference Goalie of the Year after making 150 saves.
And there was strong play from striker, Elizabeth Hill, who added 2 goals and 3 assists as a sophomore.
Baldwin will lose 10 seniors to graduation, but the threesome of Robinson, Hill and Ikechukwu will return.
“I have a really high ceiling so I could’ve scored more,’’ said Robinson, who scored 6 goals as an eighth-grader in 2023. “But as a freshman, that’s not bad, scoring 10 goals. I felt I helped my team a lot because we needed scoring.’’
Scoring was a struggle as evidenced by getting shut out 2-0 in its final two games. Prior to the Roslyn loss, Baldwin lost, 2-0, to Carey, which captured the conference title.
‘We had opportunities, we just couldn’t finish them off,’’ Rogers said of ending the season with back-to-back goose eggs. “We played good at the midfield.’’
The Roslyn loss was a crusher because the first goal allowed was a fluke as the ball went through their star goalie’s mitts early in the second half, swinging the momentum.
“Just unfortunate,’ Rogers said. “I haven’t seen her do that ever. That’s the way it goes sometimes.’’
Baldwin was snakebitten from the outset as it was without Annabel Lopez, who missed her senior soccer season with an ACL tear. In addition, star defender Haiti Vann, its top defenseman, missed a few games with a foot injury. Vann came back for the finale and, as Rogers said, “made a big difference.’’
“It was a very good season, and if we didn’t have as many injuries like to Annabel and Haiti, we could’ve made it further,’’ Robinson said. “Due to all the injuries, I’m not upset the way we played. We did our best but it didn’t turn out in our favor.’’
Senior Avery Thomas finished her career posting 3 goals and 3 assists. Another senior, midfielder Jordyn Farla, was a force.
Those two will be gone next season but Baldwin still could factor in the playoff race in 2025.
“I think we can if we all put in the work,’’ Robinson said of next season’s playoff possibilities. “Ten seniors is a lot (to lose) because a few of them were our key players. But me, Liz and Lee could really help the team and make it to the playoffs next year.’’
