NYPost.com girls soccer reporter Joseph Staszewski breaks downs Sunday’s battle of unbeaten teams in the NYSAISAA final between Riverdale and Staten Island Academy.
Who: No. 1 Riverdale vs. No. 2 Staten Island Academy
What: NYSAISAA championship game
When:Sunday, 1 p.m.
Where: Manhattanville College (2900 Purchase Rd., Purchase, N.Y.)
Riverdale Falcons
Record: 16-0-2
Head coach: Orlando Osorio
Player to Watch: Zoe Loveman
How they got there: Defeated Marymount, 5-1, in the quarterfinals and Dalton, 1-0, in the semifinals
Staten Island Academy Tigers
Record: 17-0-1
Head coach: Darlene Crowe
Player to Watch: Danielle Fuller
How they got there: Defeated Hackley, 2-1, in the quarterfinals and Fieldston, 3-2, in the semifinals
Outlook: The soccer gods have smiled and given us the matchup we have been waiting all season for. One of these teams will suffer their first loss in their last game and the other will walk away with the NYSAISAA title and arguable the greatest season in either program’s history. The teams last met in the NYSAISAA semifinals in 2008 in a game won on penalty kicks by SIA.
There may not be a player having a better postseason than the Tigers’ Danielle Fulller. The junior has scored twice in each state games, both times bringing her team from behind. SIA trailed Marymount 1-0 and Fieldston 2-0 before rallying for a win. Coach Darlene Crowe’s team is one of the best passing squads in the city with a trio of offensive weapons. Senior Amanda Moschella is as sure footed as they come and midfielder Gabby Tricorico can always make something out of nothing with a well struck through ball.
Riverdale has spent the season navigating its way through plenty of close wins. Coach Orlando Osorio called this year’s squad a “dream team.” Forward Zoe Loveman is having as good a year as anyone in the city. She scored twice and dished out three assists in a quarterfinal win over Marymount. The Eagles have a plethora of weapons around her in midfielders Zoe Michas, Zoe Clark and Rachel Copulsky, who is back from injury.
This will be the best opponent either team will have faced this season. Riverdale has not seen an offense this deep and explosive or as physical a defense led by sweeper Sarah Valero. The Falcons will be the deepest and most balanced squad, talentwise, on SIA’s schedule as well.
Unlike in the previous rounds, the Tigers need to get ahead early and neutralize Loveman. Only one team, Hackley, has scored three goals on Riverdale all season. Riverdale needs to control the pace of play and not let Tricorico wreak havoc at midfield. Don’t be surprised if this one ends in overtime or PKs. Classic is written all over it.