By Dylan Butler
Although just a freshman, center midfielder Angela Wooley is one of the most experienced players on the Francis Lewis girls’ soccer team by virtue of playing club soccer.
On Monday at Forest Hills High School, and with her team leading 1-0 late in the second half, the 15-year-old from Fresh Meadows used some of her knowledge of the game to score two goals in the final seven minutes and lead the Patriots to a 3-0 win over the Rangers.
When playing for the Auburndale Liberty, or when practicing with Francis Lewis, Wooley’s coaches always tell her to shoot toward the corners. In the 73rd minute Wooley did just that, as she corralled a loose ball in the box and chipped it past Forest Hills goalkeeper Raza Taqi into the upper right corner of the net.
“I was just trying to get the ball away from their girl and pass it off and see what happens from there,” Wooley said.
Four minutes later Wooley again put the ball into the upper right corner, this time off a free kick from 22 yards out, to give the Patriots a 3-0 lead.
“I definitely tell her to aim for the corners,” said Francis Lewis coach Roger Sarmuksnis. “She does have the skill to put those [free kicks] in the net. That was the first one she put in off a free kick. Hopefully she sees that she can do it in a game situation.”
Wooley is one of three players on the Francis Lewis roster to play club soccer.
Versatile Carolina Verna is another.
The sophomore played forward the first half, providing Francis Lewis (5-2, 2-2 Queens A) with speed and a scoring touch. Her through ball in the 25th minute found Natalia Cortes, who found space inside the box. The senior from Flushing slotted the ball low inside the far post from 12 yards out to put the Patriots ahead, 1-0.
“When we have space, coach tells us to kick it right away if we have the opportunity,” Cortes said.
Verna replaced starter Nesime Bal, who made three saves in-net in the second half. Her biggest challenge came 19 minutes into the second half when she stopped Forest Hills senior Stefany Feliciano on a free kick from 20 yards out. Angela Arboleda picked up the rebound in front, but she kicked the ball over the crossbar for Forest Hills, who fell to 1-2 in Queens A.
“I’m pleased with the fact the girls on this team all play together, they pass to everyone on the team,” Sarmuksnis said. “There is no individualism. They’ve really come together as a team.”
Richmond Hill 2, Arts and Business 1. Hillen Castano and Angie Lozano scored a pair of second half goals to lead Richmond Hill (1-0 Queens B) Monday at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Arts and Business falls to 0-1 in Queens B.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
