Sports

CHSAA boys soccer rankings

The CHSAA boys soccer season came to a close Saturday afternoon at Belson Stadium with Cardinal Spellman defeating St. Joseph by the Sea to win the Class B intersectional title and Chaminade besting St. Francis Prep in the state final.

Ironically, the top two teams in our poll – Iona Prep and St. Francis Prep – both ended its seasons with one-goal losses to Chaminade, a team ranked No. 7 in the country and Cardinal Spellman, which enters at No. 7 in our rankings, is the only team in our top 10 to end its season with a win.

1. Iona Prep (12-4-5) (Last week: 1)

The Gaels fell short of repeating as state champions, losing to Chaminade, 1-0, on a last-minute goal in the state semifinals. Still, it was a magical season in New Rochelle. Iona captured its first-ever Class A intersectional title and, with Cesar Ceja and Alex Kapp among the players returning, there’s no reason to think the Gaels won’t be competing for multiple championships next year.

Next: Season complete

2. St. Francis Prep (16-3-0) (3)

The Terriers acquitted themselves well after a stunning loss to Iona Prep in the Class A intersectional semifinals to defeat Canisius (Buffalo) in the state semifinals and then fell to Chaminade in overtime in a classic final. Will St. Francis Prep be the preseason favorite next year? Maybe not, but with Chris Joseph and Christian Molano returning and players up from the junior varsity championship squad, the Terriers will be a contender.

Next: Season complete

3. Fordham Prep (14-2-3) (2)

Looking for the preseason favorite? They just might be in Rose Hill. Greg McNamara, Dylan Cope, Mark Kramarchuk, Sebastian Palomino and Spencer Heitmann are back from a Fordham Prep team that captured the Archdiocesan title for the first time since 2007 and reached the Class A final for the fourth time in five years.

Next: Season complete

4. Archbishop Molloy (12-3-2) (4)

The Stanners received big contributions in the postseason from players who should star next year, including Michael Rodriguez, Donald Erdey, Zach Zayas and Gabrielle Maurello. Molloy also reached the junior varsity championship, so it’s not as if the cupboard is bare.

Next: Season complete

5. Xavier (9-5-3) (5)

Joe Balsamo’s first season as Xavier varsity coach was a success, but the Knights weren’t pleased with a quarterfinal finish. Returning players like Trystan Montero, Jack Kane, Ed Wagner and James Kondrat are hungry to take a step further next year.

Next: Season complete

6. Christ the King (7-10-0) (6)

Perhaps no team in the CHSAA will have higher expectations next year than Christ the King. The Royals return virtually their entire team, including standouts like Peyton Atteloney, Calogero Curcuru, Federico Curbelo and Christian Nolasco. Class A semifinals or bust?

Next: Season complete

7. Cardinal Spellman (12-1-4) (NR)

The Pilots lifted the Class B intersectional title on Saturday for the first time since 2004, defeating St. Joseph by the Sea, 2-1, in overtime. Freshman Jonathan Apicella scored the championship-winner and sophomore Andrew Rosario scored a hat trick in the semifinals. With Cory Allen and Malik Cameron also returning, Spellman will be among the favorites next season.

Next: Season complete

8. St. Joseph by the Sea (10-2-2) (7)

The Vikings exceeded expectations this year, advancing to the Class B intersectional title game before losing in overtime to Spellman. Ryan Gardner was one of Staten Island’s best players and fittingly, he scored the tying goal in the title match. Mario Frasca, Frank Gioeli and Justin Bommarito are among the leading returning players for Bill Hunt’s squad.

Next: Season complete

9. Archbishop Stepinac (6-10-1) (9)

It appears that the Archdiocesan will again be stacked next year and Stepinac should again get its share of wins. The Crusaders return co-captain Jason Vargas, as well as Michael Pizzutti and Rory Redican from a team that finished fourth in the Archdiocesan and reached the Class A intersectional quarterfinals.

Next: Season complete

10. Regis (4-8-4) (10)

As it seems to be the case with every other team in the Archdiocesan, Regis has a wealth of returning talent as Ryan McLaughlin, Devin Pierre, Will Salter and Bobby Santariello are starters who will be looking to put a disappointing 2010 behind them.

Next: Season complete

New: Cardinal Spellman (12-1-4)

Dropped out: Mount St. Michael (8-3-5)

On the bubble: Mount St. Michael (8-3-5), St. Peter’s (5-8-2), Monsignor McClancy (8-2-2) and St. Edmund Prep (6-5-1)

dbutler@nypost.com