46 The Courier sun • JANUARY 16, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com sports CROSS ICES THE COMPETITION STAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Holy Cross cruises past Iona BY LIAM LA GUERE lguerre@queenscourier.com Holy Cross forward Steven Cacchioli knew that his team needed to be more aggressive. Having dropped two consecutive games, the team was desperate to get back on the winning side, and Cacchioli, a captain, blamed the team’s recent losses on a lack of aggression. So, he stepped up and drilled two goals to lead the Knights to a 3-1 win over Iona Prep on January 11. The Knights (CHSHL 5-4-0) were dominant through the game, resulting in a 33-23 shots-on-goal advantage. “We wanted to get to a quick start. We didn’t want them getting momentum,” Cacchioli said. “We knew we were the better team and we wanted to take it to them.” At the end of the first period, the Knights were in a tough position, but Cacchioli’s aggressive shot selection paid off. Tied at 1-1, the Knights Vincent Cennamo was sent to the penalty box and Iona Prep (CHSHL 1-10-1) was on a 5-on-4 power play. Despite the disadvantage, Cacchioli was able to Holy Cross forward Steven Cacchioli’s aggressive shot selection proved to be the difference against Iona Prep. steal the puck, stick handle through defenders and net a goal with 59 seconds remaining in the first period, giving the Knights a 2-1 lead. “He (Cacchioli) played fantastic today,” coach Kevin Leonard said. “He played really well and took some good shots.” The Knights stayed aggressive and with just 18 seconds THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre into the second period, forward Joe DeMarco scored a goal, expanding the lead to 3-1. “We wanted to dictate the pace, we did a good job ending the period and starting off strong,” Cacchioli said. The Knights controlled the puck through the rest of the game and didn’t allow Iona to score again. THE QUEENS COURIER PRESENTS ‘STAR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK’ Name: Kristen Kangas School: Benjamin Cardozo High School Grade: Senior Sport: Gymnastics Kristen Kangas is the captain of Benjamin Cardozo High School girls’ gymnastics team, and has led her squad to the top of the PSAL this year. Coach Richard Parascos calls her the “heart and soul” of the team, and Kangas is consistently ranked in the top 25 in the city in all four gymnastic events; balance beam, uneven parallel bars, floor exercise and vaulting. In her sophomore year she helped start the school’s cheerleading team and held part-time jobs in the summer, working as an office assistant at St. John’s University and at Long Island Care Center nursing home, last year. Kangas is dyslexic, but enjoys sports and helping others, so she aspires to be a physical therapist. She has applied to several SUNY schools, including Potsdam, Fredonia, Cortland and Plattsburgh. Why do you do enjoy gymnastics and other extracurricular activities? “Teenagers could be very dangerous without goals. When teenagers don’t do something they get into trouble. I like being involved and I like socializing.” How does it feel to lead younger teammates? “I love it, because not only am I helping them, but you help yourself at the same time.” Why do you aspire to be a physical therapist? “I love doing sports in general and I care for people. I feel like a combination of those two is physical therapy. I feel like it’s me.” How does being dyslexic affect you? “A lot of kids that have it don’t know they have it and they struggle in school, but I have it and really try in school. The difference between someone who has it and doesn’t have it is that you have to really work and that’s like my whole life, I work for everything I do.” BY LIAM LA GUERRE THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre STAR of the WEEK STAR of the WEEK KRISTEN KANGAS
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