Brooklyn athletes again brought their best to the girls’ soccer pitch this season.
Grand Street rode a young roster to a division title, while Brooklyn Tech relied on a mix of young and old to win its league. St. Saviour nearly scripted the perfect story line, but fell one win shy of a Brooklyn-Queens Class A crown after the program just two years after it nearly didn’t field a team. Fontbonne, Bishop Kearney and St. Edmunds again had strong seasons, and Poly Prep held its own in the Ivy League.
Here are the people who made it all happen and we consider Brooklyn’s best:
All-Brooklyn Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year: Jocelyn Aguilar, Grand Street
The junior midfielder continues to prove she is arguably the borough’s best offensive player. The speedy, athletic Aguilar led the Public School Athletic League in points with 37 goals and 27 assists. Her leadership helped bring a young team together and helped the win a division title.
All-Brooklyn Girls’ Soccer Coach of the Year: Andre Lamy, Grand Street
Lamy’s task was to mold his established stars with an influx of talented youth. It wasn’t always easy, but his tough love and high expectations led to one of the best years in program history. The Wolves won a division title and nearly knocked off a Staten Island squad in the postseason. A bright future lies ahead for the program with Lamy at the helm.
All-Brooklyn Girls’ Soccer First Team:
Midfielder Delaina Allegretti, Fontbonne Hall
Allegretti has been a driving force for the Bonnies throughout her career. This year was no different. The senior was a dynamic force at midfield, scoring and making her teammates around her better.
Midfielder Margaret Edwards, Leon Goldstein
The senior is one of the borough’s best all-around players. Edwards’s poise, smarts and foot skills allowed her to impact a game in many ways. She scored 25 goals and dished out seven assists and helped Goldstein to a playoff win.
Defender Jane Kleiner, Poly Prep
The Blue Devils team prided itself on its veteran defensive unit. Kleiner was a key contributor to that squad. The senior’s heart, hustle, determination, and ability to cover ground propelled Poly to another strong season in the Ivy League.
Forward Halima Matthews, Brooklyn Friends
Matthews certainly made an impact in her sophomore season. The speedy, athletic forward found the back of the net 35 times. She recorded five hat tricks, including one in the Independent School Athletic League Championship game.
Midfielder Katie O’Donnell, St. Saviour
The senior was one of the biggest reasons for the Pandas’ turnaround. Her leadership kept the group together and improving, and her skills on the pitch led them to a berth in Brooklyn-Queens Class A title game.
Midfielder Jazmin Gonzales, Grand Street Campus
The junior midfielder was the driving force behind the Wolves’ high-powered offense. Gonzales’s smart and unselfish play allowed all the pieces to fall into place. She scored 14 times and compiled 24 assists.
Midfielder Melissa Gonzalez, Telecommunications
Gonzalez remained one of the borough’s most prolific scorers. The dynamic senior continued to haunt defenses by netting 27 goals and dishing out 17 assists. She was a big reason for the growth of the Telecom program.
Goalie Sarah Goldzweig Panitz, Brooklyn Tech
The senior was one of the city’s most underrated goalkeepers and was a big reason behind Brooklyn Tech’s success. The agile and heady Goldzweig Panitz recorded eight shutouts and allowed just 14 goals all season to help Tech win a division title.
Forward Samantha O’Brien, James Madison
The senior forward enjoyed a breakout season for the Knights on the soccer pitch. O’Brien scored a career-high 21 goals and dished out seven assists. Her explosive year helped Madison to a second-play finish in its division.
Defender Karina Osorio, Grand Street Campus
There was plenty of attention paid to Grand Street’s prolific offense as Osorio quietly lead a young defense. The senior’s instinct and heart steadied a Wolves defense that consistently held opponents to a goal or less.
Midfielder Rorie St. Lawrence, Leon Goldstein
The junior was the other end of the dominant one-two punch with Margaret Edwards. St. Lawrence controlled play at midfield, scored 20 goals and dished out 13 assists. Her poise helped keep everything together for the Dolphins.
Honorable mentions:
Midfielder Maura Bellone, St. Edmund
Goalie Concetta D’Angelo Bishop Kearney
Goalie Claudia Espana, Fort Hamilton
Midfielder/Defender Jennifer Fay, Bishop Kearney
Forward Shareka Joseph Thomas Jefferson
Midfielder Julia King, Brooklyn Tech
Defender Alex McGuire, Fontbonne Hall
Midfielder Katie Salmon, St. Edmund
Midfielder Sabrina Quintanilla, Berkeley Carroll
Midfielder/Defender Margaret Riordan, Poly Prep
Midfielder Kevina Shalvey, St. Saviour
Forward Elizabeth Zauantitla, Grand Street
