By Joseph Staszewski
Queens continues to produces some of the city’s top girls’ soccer talent. It led to a banner season for a number of its schools.
Christ the King won its third straight CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I diocesan title by besting Mary Louis in the finals. Queens High School of Teaching took home its first PSAL Class B crown since 2008 with a 4-0 victory against borough rival Frank Sinatra in the title game. Bayside didn’t have a long playoff run, but took home unbeaten the Queens A-V division crown.
Here are the players who helped make a big year happen in Queens:
All-Queens Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year: Francesca Giglio, Christ the King
The Royals had many cogs in their success, but the senior center midfielder was the one who really made things happen. Giglio, who scored twice, did the dirty work at the center of the pitch to give Christ the King control of play. She was the one dishing to scorers Medina Mulic and Sarah Nolan. Her perfect through balls turned into 14 assists, including on the lone goal of CK’s diocesan final victory.
All-Queens Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year: Alfonzo Fernandez, Queens HS of Teaching
The Tigers have thrived since moving to the PSAL Class B division two years ago, culminating with the school’s first city title since 2008 this season. Queens HS of Teaching bounced back from an upset loss in last year’s semifinals and rebounded by topped division rival Frank Sinatra for this season’s crown. Fernandez has done a superb job keep this group focused and moving forward.
All-Queens Girls’ Soccer First Team
F Therese Boyle, Mary Louis
The senior has been one of the city’s top scoring threats throughout her career and again was the main cog to the Hilltoppers’ offense. Boyle helped lead TMLA back to the diocesan title game for the third straight year.
F Sophia DeLeon, St. Francis Prep
DeLeon has become the Terriers’ premier goal scorer. The junior forward can strike from anywhere, as rival Archbishop Molloy learned. She tallied the late winner with a goal just under the crossbar.
M Brittany Ehrlich, Benjamin Cardozo
Ehrlich built off her strong sophomore season and was the PSAL Queens A division’s leading goal scorer. The junior tallied 22 goals and distributed 11 assists.
D Tara Ferraris, St. Francis Prep
The Terriers are a team that has always prided themselves on defense. Ferraris excelled as the stingy unit’s leader after the graduation of stalwarts Aimée Kasmally and Gina Baglieri.
GK Claire Loredan, Mary Louis
The senior keeper continually proved she was one of the city’s top net minders. Loredan helped TMLA earn a scoreless tie with Christ the King and was sensational in a 1-0 loss to the Royals in the diocesan final.
D Destiny Marino, Christ the King
The Royals’ defense was one of the city’s best. Marino’s strong and intelligent play in the back was a big reason why. The senior’s athleticism allowed her to defend any type of scorer.
M Medina Mulic, Christ the King
The super sophomore was just that. Mulic was the Royals’ leading goal after finding the back of the net 14 times in 10 games. She also pitched in on defense when called on.
F Sarah Nolan, Christ the King
The junior picked the right time to break out of her scoring slump. Nolan tallied the lone goal in the Royals’ diocesan final win over Mary Louis. She scored eight goals and dished out four assists this season.
M Rachel Spampinato, Mary Louis
Therese Boyle may have been the main scoring threat, but much of the Mary Louis offense ran through Spampinato. The senior brought poise and experience along with her tremendous skill to the midfield.
F Alexis Tronz, Bayside
The junior made up for the loss of star D.J. Glazer to graduation. She scored a team-high 19 goals and had eight assists. Tronz tallied the winner in a season opening win over Francis Lewis.
F Panagiota Tsourapis, Francis Lewis
The junior built off a strong sophomore season and helped the Patriots to a second place finish. Tsourapis was dangerous around the net, scoring 19 goals and dishing out eight assists.
Honorable Mentions
M Alysaa Argento, St. Francis Prep
D Kelly Bouzi, Benjamin Cardozo
M Jasmine Bustos, Queens HS of Teaching
M Amberly Cabral, Francis Lewis
M Allison Dowdle, Long Island City
D Chelsy Espinosa, Bayside
M Deanna Fedkowskj, Frank Sinatra
GK Angelika Jedanowska, Flushing
GK Ioulia Makris, Bayside
F Olivia McFadden, Townsend Harris
D Nadine Metellus, St. John’s Prep
F Yessenia Moran, Art & Business
M Lauren Viggiano, Archbishop Molloy
M Lindsay, Winn, Archbishop Molloy
D Jennifer Wisnewski, Mary Louis
