The Public Schools Athletic League‘s girls lacrosse Bowl Division playoffs feature a pair of intriguing storylines with borough rivals squaring off in the semifinals. Brooklyn bragging rights (and a trip to the finals) will be on the line when top-seeded James Madison meets No. 4 Abraham Lincoln and No. 2 Long Island City faces off against No. 3 High School of Teaching in an all-Queens clash. Here’s a preview of both games, which are schedule for Wednesday, May 16 at the homes of the higher seeds.
No. 1 James Madison vs. No. 4 Abraham Lincoln (4:00 p.m.)*
Madison, which reached last year’s Bowl finals, is an experienced and explosive team. Senior Jasmine Fermin scored the fifth-most goals in the division with 41 and fellow upperclassman Ana Beriashvili netted 30 goals and was tied for the team lead in assists with nine. Lincoln may not be able to match the Lady Knights’ firepower, but the Lady Railsplitters have their own dynamic due in seniors Catherine Deng and Rayshawna Hunte. They scored a combined 63 goals in league competition. Madison (11-1) swept a pair of games from the Lincoln (7-4) during the regular season, winning each time by five goals, and defeated the Railsplitters, 9-8, in last year’s semifinals round.
No. 2 Long Island City vs. No. 3 High School of Teaching (4:00 p.m.)
Get ready for fireworks. These two teams combined to score a staggering 66 goals in splitting a pair of regular season games. Long Island City’s attack is led by senior Chantell Chimbo, who scored a Bowl-best 64 goals. Senior Stephanie Escala was a distant second on the team with 38, but she’s almost as dangerous. Teaching’s high-powered offense is led by seniors Imani Blake and Shleea Sanders. During the regular season, they scored 47 and 46 goals, respectively (each scored 14 last season). Long Island City missed the playoffs last year, while the Tigers went winless in the Championship division.
* Times listed are Eastern Standard Time.
Adam Martini is a freelance sports writer who has reported on New York City high school sports since 2000. He has covered high school basketball, baseball, football and soccer, and prep championship games at Madison Square Garden, Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium.
Sources
