Both teams headed into the game undefeated, with league records of 4-0 [Newtown] and 5-0 [Bryant]. A…
By Christine Patino
The Newtown Lady Pioneers played harsh host to the Bryant Owls last week in a Queens II game, walking away with a 3-0 win and an untarnished record.
Both teams headed into the game undefeated, with league records of 4-0 [Newtown] and 5-0 [Bryant]. A challenging match was anticipated, but the Pioneers swept away those expectations immediately.
Three minutes into the first half, the Lady Pioneers had their opponents scrambling in the box in an attempt to stop the flow of shots fired from skilled players Alba Carrasquero, Angelica Martinez and Maria Gomez. Owls’ goalkeeper Debbie Sinqanenqala couldn’t hold off anymore by the 24th minute of the game, giving up a weak shot to Maria Gomez and putting Bryant down in more ways than one.
“The ball was coming and I was scared, “ said Sinqanenqala. “I usually don’t get scared, but this time, I had it and I squatted down and the ball just went over the line. I’m going to be straight up — we are intimidated by Newtown and we played scared the first half.”
Bryant head coach Ralph Montenero said, “I think that first goal really took the wind out of the sail. It kind of put the girls in a defensive mode and once you do that, playing against a good team like Newtown, it makes a difference. We don’t have the same experience that they have.”
The Lady Owls hardly had time to compose themselves before Pioneer Angelica Martinez, just returning from a back injury, did a 180 and kicked the ball short side, scoring on the low rocket from right outside the box and putting her team up by two by the end of the first.
“Well, I just came back from an injury to my back. I’ve been going to therapy and working on it so when I got the goal I really felt happy,” said Martinez. “Even though I felt tired I tried to do my best and when I scored the goal, I felt really good. I was so prepared for this game.”
The Lady Pioneers seemed quite prepared, resisting growing pressure from the Owls in the second half. Despite various attempts by Bryant’s Siria Jones to get a play going, the group lacked the essential teamwork and fell short of a comeback.
“I don’t know what really happened to the team because we usually play together. We didn’t have that much communication out there and we usually do. Maybe it was because of that,” said Jones.
Alba Carrasquero, in spite of the tight defense demonstrated by the Owls, sealed the 3-0 win at the 50-minute mark with a breakaway shot to the right corner.
“This is the best game we’ve played all season,” said Newtown head coach Rob Kunkel. “Alba, of course, is great. She just came back this season and she’s playing well. But I have to give credit to the whole team — my back players, Camille and Alexandra, my sweeper, Abina Osei. I told the girls I didn’t see one position where they played weak today.”
Carrasquero said, “I saw that they were undefeated, too and I couldn’t even concentrate in my classes today. But me and my friend said that all we have to do is push the ball and play with our hearts. As for the season, it’s started good and we’re going to push it up to the top and make it to the playoffs.”
Cardozo 7, Campus Magnet 0. Cardozo remained unscored upon this year, blanking the Bulldogs Friday, as Patricia Sotirakis and Sunny Tsang both scored twice.
Francis Lewis 4, Flushing 1. The Patriots got a hat trick from Natalia Cortes against the Red Devils Friday.
Newcomers 4, Arts & Business 0. Laura Burlacu had a hat trick for Newcomers in the team’s fifth league win.
Jamaica 5, Van Buren 0. Kayann Winti and Kimone McLaughlin both scored for the Beavers in this league win.
Cardozo 11, Van Buren 0. The Lady Judges got two goals from Kelly Kaso, as the team pitched its fifth shutout in five games.
Jamaica 5, Campus Magnet 0. The Beavers got a hat trick from Jessie Cerna in their win over the Bulldogs last week.
Franklin K. Lane 3, Arts & Business 1. Crystal McClean proved to be the difference in this one, scoring twice for the winners.
Forest Hills 7. Richmond Hill 1. The Rangers were led by Stefany Feliciano (four goals) and Kamila Barnes (two goals) in the team’s second league win.
Bryant 2, Newcomers 0. Claudia Arias and Dena Vaselica both scored to lead the Owls.
Hillcrest 4, Beach Channel 1. Nadine Edmond, Julian Lucena, Shirley Stiven and Christine Vincent provided the offense for Hillcrest in the team’s first league win of the season.
— Anthony Bosco contributed to this story.
Reach Contributing Writer Christine Patino by e-mail at TimesLedgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 130.
