Queens was again one of the deepest boroughs in the city as far as talent and quality teams, but fell short of bringing home a league-wide title.
Archbishop Molloy couldn’t complete a three-peat, falling to Our Lady of Mercy in the CHSAA Nassau/Suffolk Class A final. Francis Lewis reclaimed the PSAL Queens A-IV title, but fell short for the second straight year in the quarterfinals. Long Island City took home back-to-back Queens-AV crowns and Christ the King finished first in the CHSAA Queens division, before being upset by Bishop Kearney in the Brooklyn/Queens semifinals. Back in the PSAL, Cardozo went back to the quarterfinals after getting healthy.
All-Queens girls soccer Player of the Year: Kyra Meli, Archbishop Molloy
The senior ended her career they way she played everytime she took the pitch. Meli refused to quit on the Stanners’ chances to claim a third straight CHSAA Nassau/Suffolk Class A crown. She scored with 1:07 left, but Molloy fell 3-2 to Our Lady of Mercy. Meli, normally a midfielder, spent the middle of the year playing sweeper because of an injury to Tara Dillon, but still scored nine goals and dished out six assists. Her move back to midfield later in the season reenergized the Stanners offense because of her speed, foot skills and strong leg. She rifled a direct kick through the wall that Casey Collins tapped in for the winner in the semifinals against Mary Louis.
All-Queens girls soccer Coach of the Year: Chris Zogopoulos, Flushing
The Red Devils were the PSAL Class B champions the last two seasons and thanks to Zogopoulos their transition to the ‘A’ league went even better than most could have expected. With a calm and steady hand he was able to mesh and bring along a mix of stars Melissa and Sara Lijo, inexperienced returnees and eight underclassmen. Flushing improved with each game. It finished 7-4-1 in Queens A-VI and notched wins over division powers Bayside and Cardozo. With a good number of his starters returning the results could only get better.
First Team
M Victoria Antonino, Archbishop Molloy
There was no sophomore slump for Antonino, a fierce competitor. She was one of the main cogs to the high-powered Molloy offense, scoring 10 goals and dishing out eight assists. The athletic Antonino was a threat to strike from 25 yards and out. She scored the winner on her second goal of the game in the team’s second meeting with Mary Louis
F Wendy Avendano, St. Francis Prep
The junior was the Terriers most consistent striker and had to step up even more early with Maria Canicatti injured. If St. Francis Prep found the back of the net Avendano usulally had a hand in it. The speedy forward was opportunistic around the net and from 18 yards out.
GK Julia Bernhardt, Francis Lewis
There may not be a finer or tougher keeper in the PSAL than the athletic Bernhardt. The junior made 105 saves and allowed just four goals during the regular season. She played with pain midway through the year because of a bruised shin. Her leaping and diving stops helped earn Lewis the Queens A-VI title.
M Yessica Bustos, Francis Lewis
While the Patriots got offensive contributions up and down their lineup, Bustos was the most consistent and explosive. The senior scored four of her nine goals in the playoffs and dished out 12 assist to help lead Lewis back to the quarterfinals. Her speed up the sideline and accurate leg were a major weapon.
M Maria Canicatti, St. Francis Prep
An ankle injury limited the star senior early and it was noticeable as the Terriers offense lacked its motor. Canicatti scored one of the season’s most important goals, a 35-yard free kick for the lone score and winner against rival Archbishop Molloy. The two-way midfielder was one of the biggest reasons why the Terriers grew more competitive in CHSAA Nassau/Suffolk with each game.
G/M Ebelyse Guaranda, Cardozo
The senior was the Judges’ most important player. She was moved into goal and was stellar there after Gabrielle Prusak was injured. Dozo’s offense suffered without her there to create for Creshana Jones and Ariel Levy. With her back in the middle her team went unbeaten in five straight games before losing to Beacon in the quarterfinals.
M Geraldine Huisa, Long Island City
Huisa may have been one of the youngest players thrust into a leadership role this season. The sophomore was one of the key returnees from a team that won the division title. She didn’t disappoint scoring 14 goals and dishing seven assists to guide the Bulldogs to a second straight Queens A-V crown.
M Melissa Lijo, Flushing
Lijo was not only the Red Devils best player, but also their closer, so much so that it became a running joke with the team. The junior scored overtime winners against Bayside, Cardozo and Edison. Lijo tallied 13 goals and nine assists for Flushing, which finished 7-5 in its first season as a Class A team.
GK Cori O’Donoghue, Bayside
The senior has been a constant in net the last few seasons for coach Maggie Kassimis. She allowed just six goals during the regular season. O’Donoghue used her smarts and instinct to help make the Commodores one of the league’s stingiest teams.
D/F Ellen Peiser, Mary Louis
The workman-like senior started the season doing a fine job as the Hilltoppers star sweeper, but an injury to freshman Therese Boyle pushed her up for the second half. At forward she showed her versatility, scoring three goals and dishing out four assists. She played an integral role in Mary Louis’ first-ever win over rival St. Francis Prep.
F Fabiana Rebecca, Christ the King
The junior helped lead the Royals to the CHSAA Queens division title. Rebecca used her speed and smarts to get behind defenses, score 18 goals and tally seven assists. She was a key factor in two of CK’s biggest wins of the season, scoring twice against Kearney and added a goal and an assist in a second meeting with Notre Dame.
M Julia Svitsky, Forest Hills
The senior is one of the city’s most versatile players and spent four seasons on the varsity. She was the engine to the Rangers’ offense, dishing out 17 assists and scoring four goals. Svitsky’s duties didn’t stop there. Coach Bob Sprance would routinely move her to sweeper to protect a lead for Forest Hills, which placed second in PSAL Queens A-V.
Honorable Mention
F Anamaria Amaya Newcomers
F Therese Boyle, Mary Louis
M Yasmine Briedj, Francis Lewis
F Casey Collins, Archbishop Molloy
F Allison Dowdle, Long Island City
D Sara Lijo, Flushing
D Valerie James, Francis Lewis
D Aimée Kasmally, St. Francis Prep
F Ashley Raaf, Christ the King
M Deirdre Ray, Mary Louis
M Flavia Santana, Arts & Business