By Megan Guerriero
It would have been a good thing if Frank Denunzio had other plans in mind for his birthday Friday, because a victory celebration over the rival Jamaica Beavers was not to be had.
And although his 7-1 loss at Flushing Meadows Corona Park might be thought of as one he would soon want to forget, the Thomas Edison girls’ soccer coach feels quite the opposite.
“We learned from this,” he said. “And we will be back.”
The scoring frenzy began a mere 20 seconds into the game after Jamaica (5-0 Queens B-I) gained immediate possession of the ball. Rocia Hernandez sent a clear pass to Sabrinna Moore, who kicked the ball straight into the net for a 1-0 start.
A few minutes later Thomas Edison (2-1-1 Queens B-I) struck back when Sandra Colon fired a pass down to Anika Charles from the midfield line. Charles scored off the assist to get the Inventors back in the game.
With the game tied at 1, Moore took shots in the 12th minute and again in the 13th minute in failed attempts to put Jamaica back in the lead.
One minute later Moore and her teammates missed another open opportunity when Hernandez crossed a perfect ball, but it was once again saved by Thomas Edison keeper Bianca Alexander.
Hernandez then delivered a head-on shot directly into Alexander’s hands. The save was made but did not last long. Alexander kicked the ball back out, but Hernandez was quick to put it back in the goal for keeps.
A few minutes later, she scored again.
“I love soccer and really enjoyed my two goals,” said Hernandez, the Beavers’ leading scorer, who had two goals and two assists. “But I also just really like to have fun out there.”
Hernandez was having fun. In fact, her coach, teammates and fans equally shared in her joy. The disposition on the other side of the field was not as cheerful, though.
Denunzio was anything but pleased with his squad, which unraveled at the seams.
Jamaica coach Eric Chasanoff’s defensive placement enabled his team to dominate while allowing for tight offensive play.
Moore, a solid contributor to the Beavers’ recent victories, scored two more times before the end of the first half to complete the hat trick.
Thomas Edison came out in the second half fully intent on making a comeback, but its good intentions turned to discouragement when Kimone McLaughlin gave the Beavers a 6-1 lead. It was the first goal of the season for the striker-turned-defender.
Latoya Lewis closed out the scoring by executing her first goal of the season.
Chasanoff admits this has been his strongest team yet but does not let the win change his attitude in any way. Telling the girls to keep their cool after the game, he reminds them, “Remember girls, it’s not just about winning. You must have good sportsmanship as well.”
Townsend Harris 6, John Adams 0. Kathryn Dubowski had three goals and two assists, and Maria Paschalidis had a goal and two assists for Townsend Harris (3-2 Queens A), while John Adams fell to 1-5.
Van Buren 1, Campus Magnet 0. Stephanie Leon scored the lone goal for Van Buren (2-2 Queens B-I) last Thursday. Campus Magnet fell to 0-2-2.
Francis Lewis 2, Cardozo 0. Yon-Young Sung and Caroline Verna scored and Rosa Maria Marzelli notched her third shutout of the year for Francis Lewis (5-0 Queens A) last Thursday. Cardozo fell to 2-4.
Far Rockaway 1, Forest Hills 0. Fayon Malcolm scored the first-half game-winner for Far Rockaway (1-2 Queens B-II) last Thursday.
Arts & Business 3, Newcomers 0. Alison Lubo scored two goals, and Amparo Garcia added one goal for Arts & Business (3-1 Queens B-II) last Thursday. Newcomers fell to 3-1.
Long Island City 8, Robert F. Wagner 0. Cynthia Mendez and Ferida Hadzovic scored two goals apiece and Cynthia Henao, Dubva Murillo, Farrah Kaval and Jessica Restrepo each scored one goal for LIC (3-1 Queens B-II), while Robert F. Wagner fell to 0-3.
