This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Forest Hills High School Girls Soccer Earns 13 Seed

Rangers set to host Flushing Saturday in first round match up

After going 10-1-1 in Queens' A-V division during the regular season, the Forest Hills girls soccer team earned the 13 seed in the PSAL citywide playoffs, and will host 20th-seeded Flushing High School in the first round this Saturday.

Although hoping for a higher seed, head coach Robert Sprance was satisfied with the team's playoff ranking, and said that what really matters is if his girls come ready to battle a talented Red Devils squad.

"I was hoping for a little better seeding, but thirteenth is good," Sprance said. "What it comes down to, you have to play your best in the playoffs. Flushing is a strong competitor in a strong division. We'll hopefully give them a good game."

Find out what's happening in Forest Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sprance said that the key to the Rangers' success is coming out and playing strong offensively, striking first and often as possible, allowing their defense to go into lockdown mode. It's something the team has experience with this season.

"We have to come ready to play our game, and [be] able to score," he said. "Our defense is strong, but we struggle to score goals at times. We have to get a good start."

Find out what's happening in Forest Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sprance said he believes that this year's squad is one of the most complete teams he's ever coached in his tenure at the school, with the right attitude to go far in the postseason.

"To be honest, I loved coaching them, on and off the field. I had no problems with this team. In 20 years, this is one of the nicest, as well as best teams I've coached. I am very lucky to be coaching this team. They're great kids."

Seniors Martina Gamboa and captain Julia Svitsky, who combined for 16 goals and 20 assists, provided Forest Hills with offensive firepower during the year.

"She's the whole package," Sprance said of Svitsky's soccer abilities. "This kid is a complete player, one hundred percent coachable. I know she can get a scholarship somewhere."

The Rangers also received outstanding contributions from their underclassmen, including sophomores Lina Dominguez (7 goals, 8 assists) and sweeper Natalia Cayado (2 goals, 3 assists). Freshman dynamo Jackelin Brito, despite playing in just four contests, found the back of the net five times, including four-goal effort at home.

The dilemma for Sprance is which team will be present on the pitch this Saturday  — the one that lost 3-1 to Long Island City on Oct. 19 at home — or the squad that posted six goals against Newtown last week?

"If we come out to play, we'll do well," he said. "It depends what team shows up."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Forest Hills