Sports

CHSAA girls soccer state semifinals preview

NYPost.com girls soccer beat writer Joseph Staszewski breaks down Saturday’s CHSAA State semifinals at the College of Staten Island.

SCHEDULE

10 a.m. – St. Joseph by the Sea vs. Nichols (Buffalo)

12:30 p.m. – Fontbonne Hall vs. St. Anthony’s (LI)

St. Joseph by the Sea Vikings

Record: 10-2-0

Head coach: Arturo Radano

Player to Watch: Cristina Radano

Nichols School (Buffalo)

Record: 18-1-1

Head coach: Larry Desautels

Player to Watch: Cat Williams

Outlook: The Vikings have not faced this good an offensive team all season. Nichols is bolstered by three strikers: Cat Williams (35 goals), Lauren Randaccio and Lizzy Benedict, who have combined for 61 goals. Nichols blasted rival Sacred Heart 8-1 in the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association title game and have allowed just six goals all season.

The thing that coach Arturo Radano club can hang their hat on is that they have been one of the city’s best defensive teams led by keeper Madeline Barbarino, sweeper Kristen Wright and stopper Alexandra Maguire, who all came up big in a 1-0 win over Notre Dame Academy in the Archdiocesan final. Sea will need to find ways to generate offense in this one if it hopes to play for a state title. Cristina Radano scored the winner on a fine cross from Jessica Walsh, who is an offensive spark plug, in the win over Notre Dame. One goal might not be enough this time, but Kelly Oehm, Christie Colangelo and Melissa Gelardi can all find the back of the net

Fontbonne Hall Bonnies

Record: 14-0-0

Head coach: Victor Popovsky

Player to Watch: Colleen Ryan

St. Anthony’s Friars

Record: 16-0-1

Head coach: Dave Prutting

Player to Watch: Reanna Marino

Outlook: Fontbonne has talked since the preseason about breaking through to the CHSAA state final. Now its biggest road block is ahead in the form of the nationally ranked and unbeaten Friars, a perennial power on Long Island. St. Anthony’s is balanced. Reanna Marino has 12 goals and five assists and Ashley Small has scored 11 times. They don’t give up many goals in a league that usually doesn’t yeild many. They knocked off rival Kellenberg 2-1 in the Nassau/Suffolk final.

The Bonnies can score goals and get them from multiple players. Katie Henderson to the speedy Colleen Ryan has been a staple this season. Kristiana Padavona and Rachel Gersh can all find the back of the net. Fontbonne’s speed, skill and experience at midfield can rival any teams. It’s been the way it has controlled games. The biggest key will be a defense that probably has not seen the pressure it will Saturday. Annette Scotto, Marissa Scotto and Co. will need their best performance of the season.