Rain, wind and even snow put a big-time damper on the girls soccer playoffs last week, making for a loaded seven days ahead.
The PSAL Class A first round gets underway Tuesday along with the CHSAA Archdiocesan semifinals. Brooklyn/Queens starts Wednesday, as well as the NYSAISAA tournament.
We are in the home stretch of what’s been an exciting year. St. Francis Prep and Archbishop Molloy losing its first postseason games have brought about change in our New York City rankings. Brooklyn Tech is out of the PSAL top 10 after being upset by Cardozo in the opening round of the playoffs. What other surprises lie ahead? We’re about to find out.
Check out this week’s edition of the rankings:
1. St. Joseph Hill (12-0-0) (Last week: 1)
If St. Joseph Hill is going to regain the CHSAA Archdiocesan title, it will need to fully exorcise the demons from a year ago. Notre Dame Academy stunned the Hilltoppers in the semifinals last season and its that team standing in their way again Tuesday. Sweeper Kristina Buccellato and one of the city’s best back lines will try to keep NDA off the board for the third time this fall.
Next: Notre Dame Academy, Archdiocesan semifinals (Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m. @ Miller Field)
2. Riverdale (14-0-2) (2)
It may not have been exactly as Riverdale hoped, but its historic run continued. A draw with rival Fieldston clinched its second-straight unbeaten season and upped its streak to 35 straight matches without a loss. The Falcons road to consecutive NYSAISAA titles may have gotten a bit more difficult as they could face Staten Island Academy, last year’s runner-up, in the quarterfinals.
Next: SIA/Columbia Prep, NYSAISAA quarterfinals (Nov. 3, 2:30 p.m.)
3. Bronx Science (12-0-0) (3)
The Wolverines are the top dog and heavy favorite in this year’s PSAL Class A playoffs after receiving the No. 1 seed. The lone problem for Bronx Science is it hasn’t played a PSAL game since last Wednesday and will not compete again until Friday in the second round. It awaits the winner of Wednesday’s tilt between Lab Museum and Midwood.
Next: Lab Museum/Midwood, PSAL Class A second round (Nov. 4, 3:30 p.m.)
4. Beacon (13-0-0) (4)
The road to a second straight PSAL Class A title could be a tumultuous one for second-seeded Beacon. It could very well meet Staten Island power Tottenville in the quarterfinals and No. 3 MSIT in the semis. The Blue Demons remains one of the city’s deepest squads, led by seniors Liza Kapelus, Alex Easton and Jennifer Angione along with talented youngsters such as Emily Mendes.
Next: Townsend HarrisRiverdale/Kingsbridge, PSAL Class A second round (Nov. 4, 3:30 p.m.)
5. McKee/Staten Island Tech (10-0-2) (5)
The Seagulls are right back where they were two years ago when they were a No. 3 seed and the Staten Island A division champion. They’re in line for a potential date with defending champion Beacon in the semifinals. The Blue Demons have been an obstacle for MSIT’s seniors throughout their careers, so why change now?
Next: Grand Street/Forest Hills, PSAL Class A second round (Nov. 4, 3:30 p.m.)
6. Bayside (10-0-2) (8)
Bayside completed the first of its preseason goals by winning its first Queens A-IV division title since the 2008 season and earning a first-round bye as the fourth seed. The next step of its journey – a quarterfinals berth and beyond – begins this week. Star striker D J Glazer will be one of the tournaments best players and the Commodores have already shown plenty of resolve.
Next: Goldstein/Arts & Business, PSAL Class A second round (No. 4, 3:30 p.m.)
7. Christ the King (10-1-2) (8)
The Royals have been sitting and waiting since a scoreless tie with Notre Dame Academy last week. They learn their CHSAA Brooklyn/Queen championship game opponent Wednesday when TMLA and Fontbonne Hall meet. Christina Viaggio, Fabiana Rebecca and Co. will then get to play for the school’s first diocesan crown.
Next: Mary Louis/Fontbonne, CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens final (Nov. 4, TBD)
8. Archbishop Molloy (7-6-1) (6)
It wasn’t the ending the Stanners wanted or ever imagined. Molloy’s hopes of winning another CHSAA Nassau/Suffolk Class A crown were dashed in a shootout loss to Holy Trinity in the semifinals. The defeat ends the stellar careers of seniors Casey Collins, Victoria Antonino and Kaityln Bisscotti.
Next: Season complete
9. St. Francis Prep (4-9-0) (7)
The Terriers got their goalkeeper back and improved throughout the season. They beat St. John the Baptist in the regular season, but could not repeat the feat in a CHSAA Nassau/Suffolk Class AA play-in game as SFP fell, 1-0, to the Cougars.
Next: Season complete
10. Mary Louis (8-2-2) (10)
One of the things the Hilltoppers gained with its return to CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens was a chance to play in the Catholic state tournament. Its quest to do so starts Wednesday with a semifinal game against Fontbonne Hall. A win earns them a rematch with Christ the King in Friday’s final.
Next: Fontbonne Hall, CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens semifinals (Nov. 2, 3:30 p.m. @ Flushing Meadow 9)
On the bubble: Dalton (8-2-5), LaGuardia (11-2-0), Staten Island Academy (15-2-0), Tottenville (8-1-3), Francis Lewis (9-0-3) and Susan Wagner (7-2-3).
PSAL RANKINGS
1. Bronx Science (12-0-0) (1)
2. Beacon (13-0-0) (2)
3. McKee/Staten Island Tech (10-0-2) (3)
4. Bayside (10-0-2) (4)
5. LaGuardia (10-2-0) (5)
6. Francis Lewis (9-0-3) (6)
7. Tottenville (8-1-3) (7)
8. Susan Wagner (7-2-3) (8)
9. Long Island City (12-0-0) (9)
10. Cardozo (7-5-1) (NR)
On the bubble: Fort Hamilton (9-1-2), Brooklyn Tech (11-2-0), Riverdale/Kingsbridge (10-2-0), Townsend Harris (7-3-2), Bard (8-4-0), Petrides (5-6-1), New Dorp (5-6-1), , Arts & Business (7-3-2), Forest Hills (7-3-2), Leon Goldstein (8-3-1), Midwood (8-3-1) and Grand Street (10-2-0).
CHSAA/PRIVATE RANKINGS
1. St. Joseph Hill (12-0-0) (1)
2. Riverdale (14-0-2) (2)
3. Christ the King (10-1-2) (5)
4. Archbishop Molloy (7-5-0) (3)
5. St. Francis Prep (4-8-0) (4)
6. Mary Louis (5-2-2) (6)
7. Dalton (8-2-4) (7)
8. SI Academy (15-2-0) (8)
9. NDA (6-2-5) (10)
10. St. Joe’s by the Sea (5-4-1) (9)
On the bubble: Fieldston (6-4-2), St. Ann’s (16-0-1), Horace Mann (6-4-3), Poly Prep (7-6-4), Fontbonne Hall (4-6-2), Columbia Prep (17-2-0), Packer Collegiate (16-3-1), Preston (10-4-3) and Cardinal Spellman (9-4-2).