By Five Boro Sports
Goalkeeper Alex Sandler called it the worst half of soccer Stuyvesant had played all year. Cardozo coach Rich Parascos felt disgusted with his teamÕs inability to finish off scoring chances. As the two teams walked off the South Shore HS field after 40 minutes of play Monday in the PSAL Boys Soccer Classic, neither was happy.
But by the end of the match, won by Stuyvesant, 1-0, on the strength of sophomore Arik RavivÕs first-half tally, the two playoff-bound clubs from two of the cityÕs top divisions, Manhattan A and Queens A East, were content. FC held on for a confidence-building win over the Judges, a quality opponent that prepared Stuyvesant for the grueling week ahead, matches with FiveBoroSports.comÕs PSAL No. 1 Beacon, and two-time defending city champion Martin Luther King Jr.
ÒI thought they were a pretty good team,Ó Stuyvesant Coach Adam Goldstein said. ÒI was impressed at the way Cardozo took chances. They really took the play to our backs, got off a lot of strong shots. They were unfortunate to miss the target. The game couldÕve easily been the same result the other way around.Ó
The donut on the scoreboard wasnÕt indicative of their play. The Judges had numerous opportunities to score; either they failed to shoot or did so inaccurately. Yet, the performance, with center midfielder Jonathan Castano and Daniel Leon ready to return from injury, made Parascos smile. He was particularly encouraged, too, by his teamÕs performance, the ability of reserves such as sophomore midfielder Hansel Fuentes and role players like senior forward Yakov Suleymanov and Ioannis Sapountzis to fill the void left by injured starters.
ÒNow theyÕve earned my trust, so thatÕs only going to help us for the playoffs,Ó Parascos said. ÒKnowing that all that offense is still waiting for us to be put on the field is tremendous.Ó
FC, on the other hand, came out flat, Goldstein said, perhaps looking forward to TuesdayÕs showdown with Beacon. In its last league match, Stuyvesant, stuck in third place, tied MLK. It was a reason to celebrate. A patient, well-structured unit, it too couldÕve built an easier lead if not for missed chances. And like its counterpart Stuy was missing key contributors, including midfielder Cody Levine.
For both teams, it was a valuable 80 minutes, the chance to see a potential future playoff opponent. Stuyvesant added yet another quality win to its resume that is already bolstered by the fact MLK and Beacon are in its division. ItÕs not easy playing in Manhattan A, facing nationally ranked opponents four times a year. But there are also plusses, StuyvesantÕs Andres Fernandez said, the chance to face the top competition. It obviously has its rewards. FC, after all, made it to the PSAL quarterfinals last year.
ÒFor us, we want to play against good competition,Ó he said. ÒWeÕre more prepared for the playoffs.Ó
Cardozo, battling Bayside for second behind Francis Lewis in Queens A East, has grand plans of its own. Its season ended early last fall, in a class opening-round overtime playoff loss to division rival Francis Lewis, the eventual runner-up to MLK. Expectations, Parascos said, are to win the city championship, same as every year. With the continued confidence of his current ensemble in addition to the return of his talented veterans, the Judges could be a tough out.
ÒWeÕre right there with everybody,Ó the fiery coach said. ÒItÕs just who plays well on that given day. Hopefully, weÕll be ready.Ó
