Sophomore sensation Rachel Nuzzolese booted in the first of her four first-half goals just 30 seconds in. And the onslaught began.
The Friars cruised to a 9-0 win over Brooklyn-Fontbonne Hall Academy at St. John's University, returning to the title game for the second time in three years.
St. Anthony's (18-0), ranked 15th in the NSCAA national high school poll, will face Buffalo-Nichols for the state crown on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Hofstra. The Friars won the state championship in 2005 and lost to Sacred Heart in the league final a year ago.
As usual, the defense, anchored by league MVP and Penn State-bound defender Brianna Garcia, refused to let anyone near the goal.
Coach Dave Prutting pulled his starters midway through the first half. And yet Fontbonne (12-3) couldn't make a dent.
Now the Friars are one win away from a storybook finish to a perfect season.
STATE CHSAA SEMIS: FONTBONNE HALL
Goalkeeper Arianna Efstathiou didn't touch the ball.
MVP
Sophomore striker Rachel Nuzzolese pelted the Fontbonne Hall goal, scoring four times in the first half. Imagine what might have been had coach Dave Prutting not benched the first unit midway through the first period.SCORING
TEAM..........................................1.....2 — FINALFontbonne Hall............................0.....0 — 0
St. Anthony's...............................9.....0 — 9
GOALS — SA: Nuzzolese 4, D'Prile, Nagy, Kasper, Patton, Meringolo.
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