FHHS Girls Soccer Ties Arts & Business In Rain-Shortened Match

At the start of every game a coach is usually optimistic about his or her team’s performing well in the game.  “We’re a hardworking, high spirited soccer team,” Forest Hills coach Robert Sprance said.  “(It’s) a bunch of nice kids.  It’s my pleasure to be coaching them.”

Sprance has been coaching the Rangers for over 20 years and probably has seen everything in the game.  But for Friday's game, his patience was tested.

Forest Hills forced the action and outshot High School for Arts & Business by a wide margin, but had a slim 1-0 lead at the end of first half.  In the second half, played under dark, threatening skies, Arts & Business High School came back.  They scored a goal that got by keeper Caitlin Daly of Forest Hills to tie it at 1-1. 

Forest Hills took the lead in the second half on a pretty 30-footer by forward Jackie Brito.  The Rangers appeared to be in control of the game, when Arts & Business launched a late-bid drive.  Thunder sounded and rain came down heavily as mid-fielder Flavia Santana kicked a shot into the goal to tie the game.  The game was called by officials on the field as the ball sailed into the back of the net.

Bottom-Line: Santana's score on the last shot was immediately under dispute.  The goal was initially waved off, setting off a celebration by the Rangers.  After a conference, the refs ruled that the first whistle did not negate the goal.  Santana’s score counted. The Bulls then erupted.  

The game was called and both teams, coaches, and refs hastily left the field.  Coach Sprance argued that the first whistle ended the game, before the shot was taken which should not have counted.  There was some confusion on the part of the ref’s but they overruled Sprance and the Bulls escaped with a 2-2 tie.

Quotable: “Not a bad result, because in the first half we were not on our game,” said Art & Business coach, Keith Horan.

“Shoulda, coulda, woulda,” said Sprance.  “We have trouble putting the ball in the net.”

Key Stat: High School For Arts and Business netminder Joanne Vargas managed to stave off an aggressive attack from the Rangers, managing 12 saves in shots on goal, compared with Forest Hills' seven.

Both team ended the game with a 6-2-2 record.

Box Score: