Laura Amato
It was an incredible season for girls’ soccer in Queens.
Francis Lewis had a historic run on the pitch, recording a perfect regular season and boasting a defense that didn’t give up a single goal in its first 15 games. The Patriots made their first-ever appearance in the city final as well and while it didn’t end the way the team hoped – falling 5-1 to Beacon – the squad couldn’t be disappointed with its performance.
Cardozo also made it as far as the PSAL ‘A’ quarterfinals, while Flushing notched an appearance in the ‘B’ semifinals.
Christ the King led the CHSAA once again, notching another city championship with an overtime victory over The Mary Louis Academy.
Here are the players who helped make this season so successful:
Player of the Year: Sarafina Smith, Francis Lewis
Coach of the Year: Eleni Sotiriou, Francis Lewis
The Patriots coach was an endless source of optimism and encouragement on the sidelines this year and it paid off as Francis Lewis made its first-ever PSAL ‘A’ championship appearance. Sotiriou focused her team’s efforts on quick passes and lockdown defense and it worked as the Patriots rolled through the regular season undefeated. The group will be a force to be reckoned with again next season as a handful of starters return to the lineup.
First Team All-Area
Kiana Leger, Christ the King
The Royals co-captain played hero in the BQCHSAA championship game, netting the game-tying goal in the waning minutes of regulation and, for good measure, scoring the game-winner less than a minute into overtime. It was a picture-perfect finish for the senior who also earned a spot on the Mayor’s Cup roster.
Eleni Spiratos, Cardozo
The Queens A-IV scoring leader did a bit of everything this season, racking up 20 goals and 12 assists in 11 regular-season games.
Spiratos also chipped in a pair of goals and another assist in the Judges’ two postseason matchups.
Maia Cabrera, Forest Hills
There are offensive threats and then there are pure scorers. Cabrera was the latter. In just eight games this season, the senior racked up 15 goals on 67 shots, finishing her final season second in Queens A-IV scoring.
Jacklyn Lada, Francis Lewis
The junior forward was the spark that ignited the Patriots’ offense, notching 26 goals and 11 assists this season. She scored the game-winner over Bronx Science in the PSAL semis, as well as Francis Lewis’ lone goal in the championship game against Beacon.
Nicolette Wurglics, The Mary Louis Academy
It wasn’t the best season for the Hilltoppers, but Wurglics did her best to leave her mark on the field. She recorded just one goal and one assist, but the TMLA captain was the undisputed leader on the squad, frequently tasked with facing off against the opposing team’s best players. She also competed in the Mayor’s Cup.
Nikole Saa, Monsignor McClancy
In four seasons at McClancy, Saa was nothing short of dominant and the captain wrapped up this season on a statistical high note. She earned a spot on the Mayor’s Cup roster after 26 career goals and 22 assists with the Crusaders.
Marcela Aguire, Bayside
One of the most balanced offensive attackers in the league, the senior finished with 15 goals and 16 assists this season.Aguirre was never shy about pushing the ball up the field and the Mayor’s Cup participant also racked up 64 shots on net.
Diana Acupura, Christ the King
The senior was the leader of a Royals back line that was, sometimes, shaky, but did just enough throughout the season to notch another BQCHSAA title. Christ the King also notched three shutouts this fall.
Katherine O’Buckley, Francis Lewis
The junior center back was part of a Patriots defensive line that was nothing short of dominant this season.One of just three upperclassmen in the back, O’Buckley’s experience was a huge part of the team’s success, helping switch off opposing attacks and slowing down every push they faced. She also notched an assist on the season.
Michelle Trujillo, John Bowne
The junior’s numbers this season were bordering close to incredible.
Trujillo racked up a whopping 212 saves in just 11 games this fall – averaging nearly 20 saves a match. She gave up 55 goals, but for a Bowne squad that struggled throughout the year, Trujillo was a definite bright spot in net.
Honorable Mention
GK; Elli Tsourapis, Francis Lewis
D: Annalie Guzzo, Francis Lewis
M: April Cabral, Francis Lewis
M: Erica Vercessi, Townsend Harris
M: Genesis Campos, Christ the King
F: Gisselle Flores Barajas, Flushing
F: Molly Breslin, The Mary Louis Academy
F: Andreana Zazzarino, Bayside
F: Chelsea Morales, HS for Arts & Business
F: Daisy Molina, HS for Construction
