Ani Safaryan quickly attracted the attention of older players during tryouts. Her talent and ability were obvious, but what was most impressive about her was her willingness to challenge the established stars of her team and hold her own.
“Most kids that age come in scared in a situation like that,” Red Hook girls soccer coach Jason Pavlich said. “She had her confidence and she impressed everyone right away.”
Safaryan was a member of the talented varsity team in eighth grade and it didn't take long for her to prove that she not only belonged, but that she was outstanding.
However, this time, when he was transferred to another team, things were a little different. Given the age difference between herself and most of her teammates and opponents, the high school senior said, “I needed to know where she stood.” After all, she admitted, “someone defending me may have children.”
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However, even in this situation, it did not take long for Safarian to announce himself and impress the audience. Even on the international stage.
The Red Hook product scored a dramatic winning goal in the 91st minute to lead the Armenian women's national team to a 3-2 victory over hosts Bulgaria in a UEFA Euro 2025 Championship qualifying match last Tuesday.
“I wasn't thinking anything at that moment,” said Safarian, who turned 18 last month. She said: “When I saw the ball leave my foot and it hit the back of the net, I was in disbelief, 'I can't believe this just happened.'” She had a decent celebration. I didn't even do it. ”
Not that she needed it. This accomplishment and the recognition of its importance was enough to bring me joy. Her goal helped Armenia win the UEFA qualifying tournament for the first time since 2011.
“It's amazing,” Pavlic said. “We're all so proud of her.”
After a turnover, Safaryan received a pass from Veronika Asatlyan between two defenders and scored near the top of the box. He then dribbled to his right to create space and fired a shot into the right corner.
Armenia led 2-0, but Bulgaria fought back to equalize, with Safaryan scoring in stoppage time. The win was a comeback from the loss to Romania two weeks ago. The next team will face Kazakhstan on May 31st.
Pavlic first watched the highlights of the match and its result, then excitedly watched the streaming video again.
“I watch it thinking, 'I've seen it before,'” he said with a laugh. “She was able to turn her around and face the defender and move away with just a few touches. Bulgaria ended up experiencing what many opponents have experienced in the last five years.”
Thank you very much for section 9. Safarian is one of the best players locally, a dynamic playmaker and finisher who earned Journal All-Star honors after each season in high school.
Safaryan, who is of Armenian descent, joined Armenia's U-17 team just before entering the 11th grade. She was promoted to the national team this year.
“I'm really proud, but this is not just my responsibility,” she said. “I wouldn't be in this position without my parents, coaches, and teammates I've had over the years. I'm grateful to everyone involved.”
This victory was the latest in a series of victories for her. Safarian was announced as Red Hook's valedictorian and committed to play soccer at Columbia University. A talented instrumentalist, she also received recognition throughout her state for her clarinet and violin playing.
She is interested in medicine and plans to major in chemistry and minor in music. Her love of science stems, in part, from her bond with Pavlich, who is also her chemistry teacher.
He has known Safariyan since childhood, when they attended his youth soccer camp at Bard College.
“She's always been ambitious and self-motivated from an early age,” he says. “She has the best work ethic I've ever seen, and she's always striving to be better. It's the same in the classroom.”
When she was in second grade, Safarian once got a 96 on a class test and cried. It was “embarrassing,” she said sheepishly. The crying part. But it was also indicative of the mindset that helped her reach such heights as an academic and an athlete.
Her mother Mary was born in Armenia and her father Alex was born in Uzbekistan to Armenian parents. They both immigrated to the United States and eventually met in Brooklyn.
“We are proud Americans, but we embrace our heritage,” said Ani, who speaks fluent Armenian and Russian. She said, “One of the benefits of being on the national team is that you get the opportunity to visit the country. Before playing for this team, she hadn't been to a team since she was five years old.''
Ani met another athlete of Armenian descent during her college freshman camp in the summer of 2022. The two recognized each other by the unique final syllable of their last names. During the conversation, another girl mentioned that she was a member of the Armenian junior national team, and she pitched Ani on the idea of joining them.
The girl and her father then referred Ani to a recruiter at the Armenian Football Federation, and Ani was soon asked to submit footage of herself playing. That piqued their interest and they traveled to the United States to watch her fight.
“That’s where it started,” Ani said. “We had tryouts and practices, but they kept calling me.”
She missed part of the 2022 high school season as she played on the U-17 team, but returned in time to lead Red Hook to the section semifinals that fall.
“In terms of ball control, she's probably the most skilled player I've ever coached,” Pavlic said of Ani, who is known for her quickness and tenacity. “She can go from standing still to sprinting with the ball at her feet in seconds. She finds herself in a crowded area, and when a few people touch the ball, she moves away from everyone.” Her movement also creates space for her teammates.”
Armenia has spent the past four years rebuilding its national team and development pipeline after a long hiatus since the program was scrapped in 2013. Ani said that the possibility of qualifying for the European Championships was therefore a big question.
She is one of three American teenagers on the national team, two of whom are from California. She said having teammates close to her age will help with the transition. Some are from Canada and some are Australian, and other English speakers enjoy using them to “make a little joke about slang.”
“I’m serious about soccer and I work hard,” she said. “But what I love most is the experience of being on a team. Walking around the city, connecting with each other and making friends.”
Soccer itself was “humbling,” she said. Safaryan, who is used to being a star, came on as a substitute in Armenia's first two games of the tournament.
“Playing with older, more experienced players is a big step up in competition, but I'm not the best,” she said. “But it's great preparation for playing in college. I understand that once I get a chance to step on the field, I have to make the most of it and prove that I belong there. Masu.”
Well, it's a bit of proof that it has brought this country a much-needed victory.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
