By Anthony Parelli
Queens High School of Teaching’s Jasmine Bustos didn’t expect to play the hero. The senior did fulfill the role masterfully by recording a hat trick in the biggest game of her career.
Her goals were more than enough to lift the Tigers to a 4-0 win over Frank Sinatra in the PSAL Class B girl’s soccer final Saturday morning on Randall’s Island. The victory gave Queens HS of Teaching (15-1-0) its first championship since 2008 and it is the first of Bustos’ career. The game was a battle of division rivals that split the two regular season meetings.
“I knew this was a difficult team,” she said. “We went in all or nothing, but I didn’t think I was scoring three.”
Bustos, who has 49 goals and 24 assists this season, tallied scores in the 12th, 45th and 54th minutes. The first goal came when she corralled the ball with her back to the net, spun and beat the Sinatra goalkeeper Constantin Dres to give her team the early lead. Her two second-half goals happened on almost identical plays as she dribbled through numerous defenders and beat the keeper to the left side of the net.
“She’s awesome,” QHST Coach Alfonso Fernandez said. “Not just today. She’s the best striker in the city. She played beautiful.”
The Tigers’ other goal was scored on a free kick in the 38th minute when Makenzie Saborowski found the back of the net from 35 yards out against Sinatra (14-2-0) Saborowski looped it perfectly over the keeper’s hands and into the top far corner of the net.
“Mackenzie is one of the strongest players not only on my team, but I believe in the whole city,” Fernandez said. “She’s always ready to play.”
As big a factor as the offense for the Tigers so was the play of their defense, led by defender Katrina Cardenas. She helped her team allow only three shots on goal throughout the contest.
“Katrina is my captain,” Fernandez said. “The whole defense played awesome.”
Both Bustos and Cardenas will participate in this weekend’s Mayor’s Cup, featuring the best senior soccer players in the city. They head there as city champions.
“It means everything, especially now,” Bustos said of the title. “It’s my last year and I really wanted this.”
