Throughout the season, Bayside’s girls soccer team has consistently relied on its senior midfielder, DJ Glazer, to carry it.
Tuesday’s game against Long Island City proved to be no different, especially after the team got off to a slow start at home.
Rebounding from a relatively slow start that resulted in a one-goal halftime lead, Bayside beat the Bulldogs, 6-1, as Glazer scored five goals.
Bayside coach Magdalini Kassimis called his team’s 2-1 halftime lead “a little bit frustrating,” saying, “It’s been a little bit slow from the get-go in these games.”
The strong second half surge was led by Glazer, the star midfielder.
“I think in the second half we actually played a lot better as a team,” Glazer said. “We stepped to the ball well and we won the 50/50 balls more often.”
Bayside opened the scoring in the first minute when Long Island City goalkeeper Jan Powell mishandled a shot. The ball trickled away from her hands and right onto the foot of Glazer, who tapped it in for her first goal.
A few minutes later, Bulldogs forward Geraldine Huisa stole the ball from Bayside defenders and deposited the following breakaway into the back of the net.
“We got off to a slow start today despite the early goal,” said Glazer. “As a team we came out flat.”
The go-ahead goal also came off of the foot of Glazer in the 39th minute, this time following a hand ball penalty by LIC in its own box. The senior confidently stepped to the line and struck a perfect shot into the low, left corner of goal.
Glazer would go on to add three more goals in the second half, including a header she expertly navigated to the right corner past the diving goalkeeper.
“What can I say that hasn’t been said (about Glazer),” said Kassimis. “She’s a great competitor, a good leader, and she has finally found her voice on the field.”
Glazer, who was also the city’s top scorer last year, has earned a scholarship to Marist University.
“I’m 100% excited that I’m going there,” said a beaming Glazer. “Last year I visited and I was in love with the school then. I knew that I wanted to go there but I just had to wait for the right time.”
“I think (Marist) is a really good fit for her,” added Kassimis. “It’s a school she has had in her sights and she is very excited. We’re all looking forward to watching her play.”
With the win, Bayside improved to 11-1 in the Queens A-IV division while LIC dropped to 7-5 in Queens A-V.
