Finding rhythm, Cardozo dominates Arts & Business

Over the first month of the season, Cardozo found themselves on the field for just three league games because of a light early schedule and two cancellations - one a rainout and the other for the Jewish holiday, Passover.
Although Coach Richard Parascos feels this is one his more talented teams, the Judges started out the year inconsistently.
A solid victory to start the season followed a tough defeat. After a three week layoff, they topped borough power Francis Lewis, but then fell to Bayside, 2-0, although they outplayed the undefeated Commodores. It is tough to gain consistency when games have been so rare, noted Parascos. “That’s the whole deal, just getting used to each other.”
After a skillful 2-0 win over Arts & Business last Wednesday afternoon at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Parascos said, “We’re finding it out.” Moreover, the Judges got to play their second game in as many days - very different from the opening month. “We just need to get together and know each other better,” Parascos said. “This team is very good.”
Katie Mermelstein and Frances Shin each scored, but the Judges’ one shortcoming - an ability to finish at the net - once again came to the forefront. Controlling possession throughout, they took seven corner kicks in the first half alone and could’ve easily netted close to half of their 15 shot attempts; several times they missed open nets or over-passed. “That’s our only weakness,” Shin said. “We’re winning our 50/50 balls; we’re making all the passing, all the crosses into the box.”
Shin, an impressive midfielder, has added a lot so far to the ever-improving Judges (3-2, Queens-A). The talented sophomore didn’t play as a freshman because of a disagreement with Parascos and was close to sitting out this season, also, opting to play girls lacrosse.
Because she plays club soccer with the Albertson Fury, she told Parascos last spring she would be unable to attend every practice, so he excluded her. But after the Judges first game, a 3-1 victory over Arts & Business, Parascos called Shin, telling her he was willing to look past a few excused absences. “I’m trying to be a little more flexible,” he said. Ironically, she’s made “almost every practice,” Parascos said.
Shin couldn’t be happier. “My dream was to play high school soccer at Cardozo.”
Arts & Business, meanwhile, is struggling through their first year in Queens-A. The two-time PSAL Class B champions have lost four times as many games this year as the last two seasons combined. With a young team (Arts & Business graduated seven players last spring), the Bulls (2-4-1, Queens-A) are taking their lumps.
“It’s a learning year, a transition year,” Coach Keith Horan admitted. “Granted, we want to win. But we’re taking our wins and losses well.” Goalkeeper Aileen Alvear was the lone bright spot with 12 saves.