After a fall season filled with highs and lows, standout performances, and surprises, the moment every high school athlete waits for has arrived: the postseason.

The 2025 regular season officially wrapped up on Oct. 20 across Section 1. The following day, a seed meeting finalized postseason brackets. Both Peekskill varsity teams – boys and girls – now prepare for first-round challenges in their respective Class AA tournaments. One team enters riding high after a near-perfect season, while the other faces a tougher road ahead.

Boys Soccer

Starting on Friday, Oct. 24, the Peekskill boys (No. 12) will travel to Lakeland High School (No. 5) for a first-round sectional matchup. Players will depart school early, board a bus, and make the short trip to Shrub Oak, where kickoff is set for 2:15 p.m.

Peekskill enters with a 4-8-3 record and a mixed run of form. Their last victory came on Oct. 10 – a 2–1 win over Brewster – followed by losses to Poughkeepsie and Lakeland and a draw against Carmel. The Red Devils are led by head coach Jonathan Iasillo and assistant coach Jaime Guevara.

Lakeland, meanwhile, has been on a roll. The Hornets (9-5-1) are riding a seven-game win streak, their last defeat coming back on Sept. 30 to Mahopac, the No. 2 seed in Class AA. Lakeland already bested Peekskill twice this season – 4-2 and 4-0 – under veteran head coach Tim Hourahan.

Leading the Hornets is Vinny Karaqi, a senior standout who’s been nearly unstoppable. In his last three games, he’s recorded 11 goal contributions, including a four-goal explosion against Peekskill and a hat trick plus assist versus Carmel. Karaqi was named LoHud Boys Soccer Player of the Week (Oct. 6–12) and will be the focal point of Peekskill’s defensive game plan.

Offensively, Peekskill has worked to replace the production of 2024 All-State forward Umaru Conteh, who scored 25 goals last season. This year, captain Maddox Lozada has led the charge with six goals and three assists, serving as the creative spark in midfield. Erick Lojano (4 goals) and Eddy Farfan (3) have added key contributions up front, while freshman Isaias Escobar has impressed with poise and versatility in midfield, tallying three goals of his own.

The winner of Friday’s game will advance to face either Fox Lane (No. 4) or Clarkstown North (No. 13) in next week’s quarterfinals.

Girls Soccer

The following day, Saturday, Oct. 25, the Peekskill girls (No. 13) will look to extend their dream season when they travel to Yorktown (No. 4) for a first-round matchup at 1:15 p.m.

Peekskill enters with a 15-1 record, dominating their ability-based league and turning heads across the community. But now comes the real question – can the Red Devils compete with the very best of Class AA?

Yorktown (8-5-3) comes in fresh off a 2–1 win over Lakeland to close the regular season. The Huskers are led by senior Lea Bryant, who has 14 goals and poses a constant dual threat as both finisher and creator. Anna Walling leads the team with five assists, helping fuel Yorktown’s balanced attack. 

For Peekskill, offense has been the benchmark of their breakout campaign. Kimberly Alfaro leads the team with 18 goals, followed by captain Valeria Otavalo (15), Jozelyn Zhinin (12), and Brianna Tuba (11). Otavalo, the engine in midfield, also leads the team with 17 assists, while co-captain Natalie Foster has added 12.

Defensively, Peekskill has been nearly unbreakable – recording nine shutouts in 16 games, including seven straight to end the regular season. That backline will be tested like never before on Saturday. How the Red Devils handle Yorktown’s pressure may determine whether they avenge last year’s 8-0 first-round loss to Mahopac and punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.

One thing’s for sure: Peekskill isn’t shy about playing on the front foot. If they can keep their attacking rhythm and outscore the Huskers, they just might keep their remarkable season alive.

The winner of Saturday’s matchup will face the victor of Lakeland (No. 5) vs. Brewster (No. 12) in the quarterfinals on Oct. 28.