Sports

Deep Beacon prepares for run at third straight PSAL crown

The faces of Beacon’s recent dominance have all graduated, but the core of the team that won a second straight PSAL city title returns nearly intact. The Blue Demons, who have won three titles in five straight final appearances, lost just impact players Jennifer Angione, Alex Easton and Liza Kapelus and return a plethora of young talent.

“The team is deep,” coach Kevin Jacobs said.

His squad is a made up of mostly of seniors and sophomores who developed tiogether last fall. While senior striker Tyler Sloan said the trio will be missed, she feels this group is ready to move on.

“It’s looking like a good start,” Sloan said after an impressive scrimmage against St. Joseph Hill.

She is one of the players who will be asked to do a little bit more this year. Sloan, who had 14 goals a year ago, is the main scoring threat along with Charlotte Kohlmann. With the new PSAL division alignments, the schedule is much tougher and Jacobs expects important goals from his seniors more than he does quantity as he tinkers with the lineup.

“What’s kind of hard is trying to find the best way to use the best players,” Jacobs said.

Speedy sophomore Emily Mendes returns to center midfield and the other slot next to her is still open with Ella Kim and others getting a look. Camila Kirtzman, Desiree Nester will be out wide at midfield. Seniors Emily Richards and Joanna Palm return on defense as Sharon Greene slides in at sweeper. Kelsey Barbosa, who missed last year with a leg injury, is also back. Four-year starter Polly Carr, one of the city’s top goalkeepers, will again split time in net with Hannah Embry.

This season will bring a new challenge. Beacon has won 56 straight regular season games over the last four seasons. The last team to beat them was rival Bronx Science, which returns to the division this year. The two will now open the season against each other at Williamsbridge Oval in the Bronx on Sept. 7.

“We are kind of anxious that they’re in our league,” Sloan said. “It will be good for us.”

While Jacobs feels it is important for this group of players to know what it takes to win, it is equally as important that the team’s juniors and seniors to have tasted defeat in the finals three years ago. It’s just further motivation to keep the run going.

“We are kind of a target now,” Sloan said. “It would be great to win three times in a row and finish senior year off with a win.”

jstaszewski@nypost.com