Staten Island Academy knows the importance of each game all too well. The Tigers lost the PSAA regular-season title by one contest a year ago and were hell bent on not letting that happen again against unbeaten Berkeley Carroll.
“You lose one game and you are pretty much out,” SIA coach Darlene Crowe said. “One mistake in a close game could be the difference between that game and a championship.”
SIA is now a win away from reclaiming that its first division crown since 2008. Danielle Fuller scored twice and had an assist to lead Staten Island Academy to a 3-0 victory against Berkeley Carroll at the Parade Grounds in PSAA girls soccer Monday. The Tigers will need to beat Portledge, who topped them in the league championship game last year, Thursday before they can truly celebrate.
“We are ready to go into Portledge, win it all and then get a good bid into states and keep going,” Fuller said.
It was the junior forward who got her team going. There wasn’t a Lions defender within 10 yards of her as she ran onto a cross at the top of the box from Monica Valero in the 29th minute. With time, Fuller settled the ball and ripped a shot to the upper left corner. Berkeley Carroll goalie Anna Saltman made a leaping save, but the ball spun back off her hands and in to give SIA (6-0-1) a 1-0 lead.
“Even if it’s not a great goal and she drops it and it just happens to go in, it’s still a first goal and we needed it,” Fuller said.
She quickly made it 2-0 after the break by ripping a free kick from the left side high to the near post in the 47th minute. Jean Linda Delfini, who was unmarked, kicked home the rebound of a Fuller shot to cap the scoring in the 72nd minute. The Lions (7-1-1) survived a serious offensive push from the Lions after that with help from goalkeeper Gabrielle Tricorico.
The star junior midfielder was moved to goalie in place of sophomore Deanna Lambiasi. She made four saves including the biggest stop of the game. Phoebe Miller sent a perfect though ball up the middle of the field to a streaking Gilda Gross in te 71st minute and Tricorico beat the junior forward to the ball, kicking away Berkeley Carroll’s best created chance.
“I know the responsibility is on me. If I don’t get there it’s my fault,” Tricorico said. “I know that I have to get there.”
The Tigers are hoping to get ti the NYSISAS state final. The first step of which can be completed Thursday in Locust Valley. SIA however considers its win over Berkeley Carroll a big step forward and a boost of confidence.
“They have been our rivals every year,” Tricorico said “It’s always really close. For us to beat them 3-0 is a really big deal for us.”
