NYPost.com girls soccer reporter Joseph Staszewski breaks down Thursday’s PSAL Class B semifinals at Flushing Meadows Park.
SCHEDULE
10 a.m. – No. 3 Newcomers vs. No. 10 Lafayette
10 a.m. – No. 5 New Utrecht vs. No. 9 Sheepshead Bay
Newcomers Lions
Record: 12-2-0
Head coach: Kerryn Sarceno
Player to watch: Melissa Calle
Lafayette Patriots
Record: 9-5-0
Head coach: Stephanie Holmes
Player to watch: Sandra Staniszewska
Outlook: No. 3 Newcomers is the lone top-four team left in the tournament after beating No. 6 Telecommunication in the quarterfinals to prevent the Brooklyn sweep of the final four. The Lions, who were a Class A program last year, were without a team in 2009 because of numbers, but rebounded to finish second in Queens B-V. Coach Kerryn Sarceno’s team features two of the league’s top offensive players in senior Melissa Calle (14 goals, 15 assists) and junior Anamaria Amaya, who has 24 goals and seven assists. Lafayette had best keep an eye on those two.
The Patriots, who have won three straight, placed fourth in Brooklyn B-VIII, which turned out to be the league’s toughest division. They upset No. 2 seed Baruch 3-2 in the quarterfinals behind two goals from star Sandra Staniszewska. The junior has scored 14 goals this season, including four in the playoffs. Jan Garcia who had a goal against Baruch has been the team’s second scoring option.
New Utrecht Utes
Record: 12-2-0
Head coach: Kristina Weisbrich
Player to Watch: Jennifer Paolino
Sheepshead Bay Sharks
Record: 10-3-1
Head coach: Victor Popovsky
Player to Watch: Andrea Moonesar
Outlook: New Utrecht was the best of the Brooklyn B-VII schools that found their way to the semifinals, taking home the division title. They were the one division foe Sheepshead Bay did not beat during the regular season falling 4-1 and 2-0. The Utes, who lost in the ‘B’ championship two seasons ago and quarterfinals last season, do not have a lone star, but may be the most balanced team left in the draw. Jennifer Paolino (12 goals), Viridiana Casco (seven goals) and Carmela Marchica can all put the ball in the back of the net.
While New Utrecht has a history of playoff success, Sheepshead Bay is experiencing it for the first time under second-year head coach Victor Popovksy. The Sharks, who were just 1-11-0 last season, won their first-ever postseason game by beating Julia Richman 2-0 and then topped No. 1 Frank Sinatra on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals. Speedy forward Andrea Moonesar is skilled enough to make am impact on a Class A team. Woodeleine Beaujour has provided offensive help and sweeper Gardine Francois holds things down in the back.
