City College Women’s Soccer Team Scores Championship Victory

Queens, NY – In a thrilling showdown that carried the weight of a three-year rivalry, the City College of New York Beavers emerged victorious against the John Jay Bloodhounds in the 2023 City University of New York Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer championship match. The final score was 4-2 in sunny and chilly conditions at the Queens College Track & Field complex.

The match saw the Beavers rise to the occasion and end an 11-year title drought, capturing their first conference championship since 2012. CCNY (10-5) ended John Jay’s streak of three straight CUNYAC championships in this intense match sure to be remembered for years to come.

“They wanted it and were so determined not to walk off this field not being the champions,” coach Louis Manoussos said afterward.

Players Charlotte Foberg, Amelia Cataldo, and Laura Villatoro pose with their winning trophies alongside their head coach Louis Manoussos, and their assistant coaches.

“We’ve been working every day, and every day we were thinking this is our championship, this is our year, and that is what happened,” said Laura Villatoro, the Beavers’ top scorer this season.

For CCNY, this match held special significance. They dedicated the entire season to the memory of their fallen student-athlete, Erik Jimenez-Villeda, a mechanical engineering major and a member of the CCNY men’s soccer program for four years.  Jimenez-Villeda’s legacy served as a source of inspiration throughout the season. He died in June after a car accident. “We devoted this season to winning a championship for the young man Erik,” said Coach Manoussos.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that the CCNY players were on a mission. Just five minutes into the game, Mackenzie Moreno, named Most Valuable Player, put the Beavers on the board, by tapping the ball in with her right foot as she received a perfectly executed corner kick from Samantha Pinto and that sent the Beavers fans into a frenzy.

Moreno and Jimenez-Villeda were a couple and for this game she brought along her stuffed toy Stitch like the character in the Lilo & Stich movies. Jimenez-Villeda’s mother had given it to her, and the toy became a symbolic substitute for her boyfriend.  She recalled what happened when the ball came her way and she scored, “It landed right in front of me and I kicked it in. When I scored the first goal I ran up to my plush Stitch and I basically celebrated with [Erik]. I was so happy!” said Moreno.

The lead was  extended in the 33rd minute when Lennon Leithauser’s well-timed cross found Charlotte Foberg in the penalty box, who netted the ball with her right foot, making it 2-0 in favor of CCNY.

John Jay struck back just before the first half ended when Nora O’Connor, CUNYAC Player of The Year, tapped in a rebounded shot in the goalie area, bringing the score to 2-1. It was a remarkable ending to the first 45 minutes of play. The halftime score of 2-1 set the tone for an intense battle.

As the second half began, it was Moreno who continued the performance that earned her the Championship Game MVP. In the 54th minute, Moreno launched a high, looping shot 35-yards away that caught John Jay’s goalkeeper, Lily Velo, off-guard and extended CCNY’s lead to 3-1.

The 78th minute saw Karen Pineda cement CCNY’s victory. She struck a through-ball from Laura Villatoro into the goal from behind the penalty arc, making it 4-1 in favor of the Beavers.

John Jay cut the margin in the 79th minute when O’Connor, with a one-on-one chance against the goalkeeper, secured her second goal of the game. But the Beavers’ lead remained out of reach.

Tensions ran high throughout the match and  the five yellow cards issued to players on both sides, demonstrated the intense competition on the field.

Isabel Osorio explained how she kept up her defensive game plan throughout a hard-fought match. “We’re in pain, we’re suffering, we’re tired, our lungs hurt,” said Osorio. “I was always two inches away from somebody trying to not allow any player the space to do anything.”

With the season coming to an end, the Beavers will celebrate their hard-fought victory. “The kids will do their thing Saturday night, and I will stay home with my wife and probably have a nice quiet dinner,” said Manoussos.

The City College women’s soccer team celebrating their victory.

The team felt a joyous sense of closure when the athletes claimed the championship trophy. Moreno, whose remarkable MVP performance played a significant role in the win said, “I am happy to get recognized [as the MVP]. I’m gonna celebrate with my teammates. We’re gonna get some food in our stomachs and we’re gonna have a blast right now.”