Francesca Venezia, Sabrina Cristodero lead St. Anthony's girls to CHSAA soccer title
St. Anthony's Kayla Arestivo, center, gets congratulated by Francesca Venezia, right, and Sabrina Cristodero after scoring the opening goal in the first half of the CHSAA Class AA final against St. John the Baptist at Adelphi University on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. Credit: James Escher
St. Anthony's forwards Francesca Venezia and Sabrina Cristodero caused problems for opponents all season, and despite less than favorable conditions, this was also the case in Saturday's CHSAA girls soccer final.
The field was wet amid a steady rain and the opposing St. John the Baptist defense had allowed less than a goal per game this season, but this did not stop Venezia, Cristodero, or the No. 1 Friars, who won, 4-1, at Adelphi over the No. 2 Cougars. The win marked St. Anthony's fourth league title in five years.
Venezia was named the player of the game and assisted Kayla Arestivo's opening goal. Cristodero, Katrina Friedman and Francesca Piccicci scored for St. Anthony's (16-0-1). Bridget Patch scored for St. John the Baptist.
"We worked so hard for this," Venezia said. "We deserved this win."
"They've been a joy as a team," Friars coach Dave Prutting added. "I've had more fun with this team than any team that I can remember. They've been terrific."
"It's unreal," Friedman said. "Losing last year was really rough. All the seniors, we felt like we really needed to pick it up and take back what was ours. We did, and it feels fantastic."
The Friars came out strong and turned its advantage in terms of possession into an advantage on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute. Friedman tracked down an overhit corner kick and sent a low cross across the face of goal. Friedman got a touch to it, to set up Arestivo, who scored.
"As forwards, we tried to rotate and not stay in one spot," Venezia said. "We tried to move around. I think we worked well as a whole."
Eleven minutes later, the Friars struck again. Cristodero received the ball near the edge of the penalty area, controlled the ball and beat two defenders before chipping a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
"I'm not very good with my left foot, but I got it to my left foot, and then I shot it and it went in!" said Cristodero, a predominantly right-footed player.
Friedman made it 3-0 in the 51st. The right back came forward to join the attack, and was fouled in the box to earn a penalty. Friedman took it herself and though Cougars goalie Colleen Hickey saved the initial shot, Friedman got the rebound and tapped it into the goal.
Patch pulled a goal back with a curled shot with 23:18 left, but Piccicci put the game away with a goal on a breakaway in the 68th minute.
Hickey made 13 saves to keep the Cougars (11-3-2) in the game. Cougars midfielder Holly Habyan was named CHSAA Player of the Year after the match.
"It's a huge honor. I couldn't have done it without my team. I'm proud of everyone on the team. St. Anthony's deserved [the win] and I'm happy for them."
