STRICTLY Business: Bulls finding success third season in ‘A’

It took Keith Horan four years to turn Arts & Business into a championship girls soccer program in the PSAL Class B division. It has taken the Bulls coach even less time to make them into one of the borough’s top ‘A’ programs.
In their third year since the move, Arts & Business is sitting pretty atop Queens A-VI at 6-0, wins over Townsend Harris and Francis Lewis proof of their legitimacy as playoff contenders. Even more tellingly, the talented Bulls have yet to hit their stride.
After a recent 2-1 win over Francis Lewis, Horan lectured his players on the importance of playing a full 80 minutes. For one-half, they ran circles around the Patriots, using their athleticism and quick passing to create scoring chances. Midfielders Anakaren Andrickson, Melissa Cordoba, Jessica Figueroa and Stephanie Rivas were dominating play.
As has been the case at times this season, it did not last. Arts & Business sagged. If not for sweeper Mercedes Saldana smoothly breaking up a few rushes and goalkeeper Estefany Molina’s headlong diving save, the result would have been different.
“We started relaxing,” Figueroa said.
Horan sees similarities between this current crop of players and the one that won back-to-back ‘B’ titles in 2004 and 2005. This group has grown together, bonded through losing and matured, as they have become upperclassmen. There are differences, too, in the competition they face and in their own skill. In the ‘B’ division, Horan said, they turned athletes into soccer players. Now the program is receiving experienced club players.
There is no doubting that the tiny Corona school has found their place amongst the biggest programs in Queens. After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2006, and losing to Stuyvesant, 2-1 in the second round of the playoffs last spring, some of their peers have taken notice.
“They have a fantastic coach, they have a fantastic team,” Francis Lewis Coach Roger Sarmuksnis said. “They’re here to stay as far as I’m concerned.”
Horan is not so sure many other coaches share that sentiment. The Bulls are still looked at as merely a nice story, not a threat, Horan said. Before the Stuyvesant loss, he heard from others that they did not have a chance. Then they nearly pulled the upset.
“I don’t think people worry about a school with 750 kids, but if you come and play us, you’ll see we can bring a good game,” he said. “It would be nice to have our name a little more recognized but it will come with time.”
It may come this year, in fact. In terms of skill, the Bulls can compete with anyone. It is a matter of getting everyone in sync with one another, Horan said. His talented midfielders often hold onto the ball too long or his defenders push up to join the attack too quickly. His players are very intent listeners. During their recent victory over Francis Lewis, Horan spent almost the entire first half as a teacher, rarely watching the match. Their first goal - a nifty misdirection play on a set piece scored by Figueroa - was suggested by two of his players.
“Hopefully, if everybody stays healthy and eligible,” Horan said, “we’ll make a good run in the playoffs.”