The Bronx was again one of the richest soccer boroughs in the city and home to two of its top teams.
Riverdale won its second straight unbeaten NYSAISAA title. Bronx Science continues to be the class of PSAL Bronx A and returned to PSAL city final for the second time in three years before losing to Beacon.
Preston had a resurgent season behind a new coach in CHSAA Bronx/Westchester. A young Fieldston team, with one of the city’s top players, and Horace Mann were two of the Ivy League’s top squads. Riverdale/Kingsbridge continued to improve, earning its first Class A playoff win.
All-Bronx girls soccer Player of the Year: Rachel Copulsky, Riverdale
The Falcons were one of the city’s deepest and most talented teams, but there was no doubting Copulsky’s importance. Her powerful and accurate left leg was a major weapon on set pieces and was often able to set up her teammates for goals. The senior, who wears No. 11, scored 11 goals and dished out 11 assists to help the private school win its second straight NYSAISAA crown and push its unbeaten streak to 41 games. She netted a dramatic tying goal with seconds left in regulation against Dalton and an overtime penalty kick to beat Fieldston in the state semifinals.
All-Bronx girls soccer Coach of the Year: Jack Giannini, Preston
The first-year coach took over a Preston team that had struggled in CHSAA Bronx/Westchester in recent years. He brought years of experience coaching club soccer over with him. His relaxed and simple approach sat well with a young roster and led to one of the school’s best seasons. The Panthers finished 10-4-3, got a win over rival Cardinal Spellman, placed second in the division and lost in the league semifinals. It should just be a start to a bright future.
FIRST TEAM
F Taylor Addison, Cardinal Spellman
Addison put a fitting cap to her stellar career at Spellman. The fast, physical senior forward scored 36 goals and dished out 13 assists this season. She finishes as one of the city’s most prolific scorers, tallying 107 goals during her career.
M Isabella Bertagna, Riverdale
The skilled senior got it done when it mattered most for the Falcons en route to a second straight NYSAISAA title. Bertagna netted what proved to be the game winner against Columbia Prep in the semifinals and had the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Rye Country Day in the state final during a 17-goal season.
F Chloe Chasanoff, Fieldston
Chasanoff formed quite a tandem with fellow sophomore Hanna Kaeser. She had the winner in a critical victory over Horace Mann. Chasanoff, who scored 16 times this season, was a playoff hero, netting both scores in a 2-1 victory against Mann in the NYSAISAA quarterfinals.
M Zoe Clark, Riverdale
The junior’s contributions can sometimes go unnoticed, because she isn’t always the girl putting the ball in the back of the net. Clark, considered by many the Ivy League’s most skilled player, dominates the midfield. She will keep the ball in the opponent’s third or win a key 50/50 ball.
M Phoebe Dawkins, Bronx Science
Dawkins has gone from the Wolverines best defender to their most influential midfielder in her career. She moved from the back to play the center this season and had 16 goals and six assists. Dawkins netted the winner in Science’s comeback victory over LIC in the quarterfinals.
M/GK Lucy Evert, Bronx Science
Evert was asked to do a little bit of everything. While at midfield she tallied six goals and seven assists. Her biggest contributions came in net, her natural position. The senior went in down a goal and settled the Wolverines defense in a semifinal win over Bayside.
F Madeline Giannini, Preston
The freshman had quite an impact in her first season at the all-girls school. She led the Panthers in points en route to one of their best season’s in recent years. Giannini, also an excellent passer, scored twice to help give Preston their first win over rival Spellman in at least seven years.
M/F Sarah Heintz, Horace Mann
When the Lions were looking for offense, coach Tim Sullivan called on Heintz to move up from midfield. From there on out Heintz scored in nearly every game and most times at crucial points in the game. She found the back of the net 13 times and also dished out seven assists.
F Hanna Kaeser, Fieldston
Kaeser followed up a fine freshman with a super sophomore campaign. She scored 16 times, including a hat trick in an eventual overtime loss to Dalton. Kaeser’s speed and accurate shot allowed her to score from any place at anytime.
M Summer Sofer, Riverdale/Kingsbridge
The sophomore is one of the PSAL’s rising stars and also one of its top scorers. Sofer, who has one of the city’s strongest legs, tallied 47 goals and nine assists. Her four scores against Townsend Harris gave RKA its first-ever Class A playoff win.
D Jackie Wideen, Bronx Science
The Wolverine started the season with a young and inexperienced defense. Wideen’s leadership helped bring it all together by year’s end. She was always relentless, physical and never gave up a play in the back, making Science one of the city’s toughest teams to score on.
HONORABLE MENTION
D Emily Dan, Riverdale
F Gianna Finz, Bronx Science
F/M Carlene Fontanez Lutsky, Riverdale/Kingsbridge
M Isabel Harris, Cardinal Spellman
GK Nora Kilkenny, Preston
M/F Kitty Lajqi, Preston
M Isabella Pecorari, Bronx Science
M Janet Perez, Dewitt Clinton
M Gillian Miller Lewis, Horace Mann
M Kate Miller, Fieldston
D Nasya Sandy, Cardinal Spellman