New York Post girls soccer beat writer Joseph Staszewski breaks down Tuesday’s PSAL Class A quarterfinals.
Here’s the schedule:
At Newtown
9:30 a.m. – No. 1 Bronx Science vs. No. 9 Francis Lewis
11:30 p.m. – No. 4 Tottenville vs. No. 5 Cardozo
At John Adams
9:30 a.m. – No. 2 Beacon vs. No. 10 LaGuardia
11:30 a.m. – No. 3 McKee/Staten Island Tech vs. No. 11 Petrides
Bronx Science Wolverines
Head coach: Josh Zuckerman
Record: 13-0
Player to watch: Taylor Murtaugh
How they got here: Defeated No. 17 Susan Wagner 1-0 in the second round
Francis Lewis Patriots
Head coach: Jeovani Paredes
Record: 10-1-3
Player to watch: Libby Zelikowitz
How they got here: Defeated No. 8 Brooklyn Tech 4-2 in penalty kicks in the second round
Outlook: It is a matchup most thought we would see in the semifinals when the year started, as both teams reached that round last season. Bronx Science needed a late goal by Nadine Penkovsky to survive a second-round scare from Susan Wagner. Francis Lewis rallied from a 2-0 deficit to knock off Brooklyn Tech in PKs.
This is one of the best games of the quarterfinals between two evenly matched teams. Bronx Science, a season-long quest for a city title, will be a lot more focused after a bit of a wakeup call game against Wagner. Francis Lewis is hoping that Libby Zelikowitz is becoming the second goal scorer it lacked during the regular season. The Patriots have not played a team as physical and as dynamic offensively as Bronx Science all season and might get worn down as the game goes on.
Tottenville Pirates
Head coach: George Kaplan
Record: 11-1-1
Player to watch: Kaitlyn Regan
How they got here: Defeated No. 13 Grand Street Campus 7-0 in the second round
Cardozo Judges
Head coach: Stephanie Santoro
Record: 12-1-1
Player to watch: Creshana Jones
How they got here: Defeated No. 21 Hunter 3-1 in the second round
Outlook: If there is any team that can wreak some havoc on the brackets it is Cardozo. The Judges have all the pieces for a long run. Junior midfielder Creshana Jones has a nose of the goal and is one of the most athletic and fastest players in the PSAL with the ball at her feet. The Judges also feature a determined senior goal keeper in Amanda Coll, who had her team thinking title when the year started.
Tottenville’s experience and balance makes them a perfect foil for the Judges. There is nothing that haven’t seen or played against coming from Staten Island A and matchups with the likes of MSIT. Kaitlyn Regan is always around the net and has a strong enough kick to beat you from a distance. Goalkeeper Julia Simoniello will be tough to beat in penalty kicks.
Beacon Blue Demon
s
Head coach: Kevin Jacobs
Record: 13-0
Player to watch: Sophia Kligler
How they got here: Defeated No. 18 Goldstein 9-0 in the second round
Fiorello LaGuardia Athletic
Head coach: Ian Srebnick
Record: 11-2-1
Player to watch: Megan Caccavale
How they got here: Defeated No. 7 Fort Hamilton in the second round
Outlook: Beacon is taking on the daunting task of having to beat its toughest division rival three times in one season. The Blue Demons beat the Athletics, who will not be intimidated and are generally relaxed, just 2-1 in their final regular-season meeting. This was also the round things got tough for Hannah Collyns and company last season as they needed penalty kicks to advance.
Beacon is arguably the most disciplined team in the city and has a winning pedigree, earning the title two seasons ago and losing in the final last season. Sophie Kliger, Elsa Hardy and a handful of others give Beacon too many options to try to defend. Megan Caccavale has been the go-to scorer for LaGuardia and will need to get on the board if they will have a chance.
McKee/Staten Island Tech Sea Gulls
Head coach: Joanna Santarpia
Record: 11-1-1
Player to watch: Jackie Bruno
How they got here: Defeated No. 19 Bard 3-0 in the second round
Petrides Panthers
Head coach: Kimberly Caccese
Record: 9-5
Player to watch: Amanda Feldstein
How they got here: Defeated No. 5 Bayside 2-1 in the second round
Outlook: Petrides has enjoyed the role of spoiler already in these playoffs so why not one more time? The Panthers lost to MSIT, 5-3, in their first meeting and 5-1 the second time around, but Petrides played without sweeper Victoria Roda because of injury. A win for Amanda Feldstein and company would end MSIT’s quest for a second straight title.
They can’t fall behind early to McKee/Staten Island Tech and Jackie Bruno. The star sophomore and senior Samantha Cunzo can put up goals in the blink of an eye. Their defense is one of the best. It yielded just seven goals this season, but four of them were given up to Petrides. It’s tough to see the Panthers coming back from any kind of two-goal deficit in this one.
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