New York Post girls soccer beat writer Joseph Staszewski breaks down what stands in the Blue Demons way as they try to make a return trip to the final.
Teams (in seed order): Beacon, Riverdale/Kingsbridge, Fort Hamilton, LaGuardia, Leon Goldstein, Clinton, Banneker
Primetime potential match-up: No. 10 LaGuardia @ No. 7 Fort Hamilton
Best first-round match-up: No. 15 Goldstein vs. No. 18 Riverdale/Kingsbridge
Dark horse: No. 10 LaGuardia
Best scorer: Sophie Kligler, Beacon
Best goalkeeper: Poly Carr, Beacon
Player to watch: Katie Fagan, Fort Hamilton
Outlook: No. 2 Beacon is the clear favorite and may have an easier draw then No. 1 Bronx Science.
Coach Kevin Jacobs’ club went unbeaten during the regular season, but was tested in a deep Manhattan A-II.
The Blue Demons may be the best passing team in the city. The ball moves from player to play like it’s on a string. Sophie Kliger is a player of the year candidate with her 16 goals and eight assists. She and Elsa Hardy make up a fearsome one-two scoring punch. Last season Beacon struggling finding the back of the net, but made it to the final mostly on penalty kicks. That shouldn’t be a problem early with the way this bracket breaks down.
Their first test will come in the quarters, where the Blue Demons might have to beat pesky LaGuardia for a third time.
The No. 10 Athletics, who enjoyed a breakthrough season in the A division, are the sleeper in the bracket. They are a light-hearted bunch that is not intimidated by Beacon, which they finished second behind. Senior Tammie Schneider and sophomores Gabrielle Davis and Megan Caccavale form as good a scoring trio as you will find in the playoffs.
No. 7 Fort Hamilton has also had a breakout campaign after winning just three games last season. It won its final four contests this year, including a 1-0 upset of Brooklyn Tech. ForwardsJasmine Cardona and Katie Fagan and defender Kaitlihn Morris give them a punchers chance against anyone. Pamela Wishart and No. 15 Goldstein could also be a factor.
Prediction: No. 2 Beacon over No. 10 LaGuardia
The third time will not be a charm for the Athletics. Beacon will not take them lightly. The Blue Demons won the first meeting, 6-1, but had to squeeze out a 2-1 victory the second time around on Oct. 17. Beacon knows it is in for a fight against the happy-go-lucky Athletics.
Unless the city runner-up from a year ago goes into another scoring draught, it has just too much talent for coach Ian Srebnick’s club. Sophie Kliger and Elsa Hardy can create for themselves and others. Hannah Collyns’ aggressive play can allow them to dominate at the midfield. It’s too tough of a combination to overcome.