Tottenville coach Ron Nathanson is The Post’s All-Staten Island Coach of the Year. (Damion Reid)
It was a fall full of heartbreak for Staten Island boys soccer.
From Tottenville’s PSAL Class A semifinal loss to Francis Lewis – its second straight year in the final four – to Curtis nearly pulling off a mammoth upset of Martin Luther King Jr. in the quarterfinals, it was a rough November for the borough’s elite PSAL clubs.
While it was a difficult year for an injury-plagued St. Peter’s squad and a very young Monsignor Farrell team in the CHSAA Class A, St. Joseph by the Sea enjoyed a banner year in Class B, reaching the final before losing in overtime to Cardinal Spellman.
All-Staten Island Player of the Year: Marco Mingozzi, Tottenville
He’s been the face of Tottenville soccer the last three years, the driving force behind this stunning run to the top of the Island. His senior year was remarkable for the numbers he put up – 19 goals and 18 assists – but also the leadership he showed so often. Lethal with the ball at his feet and dangerous on the move, he led by example, beating Curtis Sept. 15 and scoring the lone two goals in the Pirates’ quarterfinal victory over Bayside, and by pushing others with encouragement.
Headed to Wisconsin to study engineering, Mingozzi was essential to Tottenville’s second consecutive Staten Island A crown and semifinal berth, whether it was as a playmaker or even pinching back defensively.
“We wouldn’t be where we are if not for him,” coach Ron Nathanson said of Mingozzi. “He does everything we ask him to do.”
All-Staten Island Coach of the Year: Ron Nathanson, Tottenville
Sure, Nathanson had the horses, whether it was Mingozzi and Carlo Coladonato in the midfield, Arlind Nika in the back or Joe Corvillo in net, but the coach deserves credit for their development. He led them to a second straight PSAL Class A semifinalist berth and undefeated league season in Staten Island A, which is quite an accomplishment considering the Tots went 2-10-0 just four years ago.
So while there are plenty of holes to fill for Nathanson and the Pirates, don’t expect much to change in Huguenot. The Island has a new super power and it’s not Curtis.
First team
F Christian Aldaz, Curtis
After an injury-shortened junior year, Aldaz returned to his high-scoring roots by leading Staten Island A with 25 regular-season goals and two tallies during the postseason, including one during the Warriors’ heartbreaking loss to Martin Luther King Jr. in the PSAL Class A quarterfinals.
MF Eduardo Bravo, Curtis
Aldaz received much of the kudos for the Warriors, but Bravo was essential to Curtis’ dynamic attack with his speed and playmaking prowess out of the midfield. His seven goals and 14 assists illustrated that unique ability.
MF Carlo Coladonato, Tottenville
The Pirates future rests on the junior midfielder’s capable shoulders. Mingozzi, Coladonato’s running mate, graduates, but Colodonato is back off an impressive 13-goal, nine-assist campaign.
MF Devin Fuller, Staten Island Academy
Fuller could put the ball in the back of the net better than almost anyone in the city. The senior midfielder scored a remarkable 52 goals in 23 games for Staten Island Academy after striking for 37 as a junior. The transfer from Curtis received interest from Davidson, Lafayette, Georgetown, Yale and Colgate, but will play his college soccer at Providence.
MF Ryan Gardner, St. Joseph by the Sea
A rock-solid central midfielder and tremendous team leader, Gardner willed the Vikings to their first trip to the CHSAA Class B intersectional final since 2007. Not only was he a stout ball-winner in the center of the field, Gardner was dangerous in the attacking third, especially in clutch situations. He had six postseason goals for the Vikings.
F Ryan Miller, McKee/Staten Island Tech
Arguably the most improved player on the Island, Miller’s numbers skyrocketed, from one goal to 13 and one assist to six. The skilled striker’s emergence kept MSIT in the thick of things in typically deep Staten Island A.
D Danny Monzi, St. Peter’s
The early-season loss of Benny Cosovic to injury was a nuisance to St. Peter’s coach John Liantonio, but the Eagles were devastated when Monzi, a two-time All-Staten Island selection by The Post and three-year starter at sweeper, went down with a foot injury against Fordham Prep on Sept. 21.
GK Joe Morvillo, Tottenville
He was a question mark when the year began but a staple by its end. Morvillo made 71 saves and registered eight clean sheets during the regular season and continued his solid play during the postseason, leading Tottenville back to the semifinals.
D Arlind Nika, Tottenville
Built like a linebacker but blessed with soccer skills and speed to burn, Nika was the linchpin to the Tots back line. The senior was also productive when pushing forward, as his nine assists and two goals would suggest. Replacing Mingozzi will be difficult for the Pirates, but Nika may be the toughest loss.
MF Dylan Ross, St. Peter’s
Without Cosovic and Monzi, Ross was asked to anchor the Eagles in the second half of the season. The senior midfielder did an admirable job, scoring a team-high 12 goals and leading the Eagles with 10 assists as St. Peter’s reached the CHSAA Class A intersectional quarterfinals for a second consecutive year.
F Emmanuel Toe, New Dorp
The Central Cougars took a step up towards the top of the division this year, behind only Tottenville and Curtis. Look no further than the junior striker for those strides as he scored 15 times, fourth most in the division. A further climb may be on the way with Toe and fellow playmakers Dino Kusovic and Jonathan Awad returning.
Honorable Mention
MF Johnathan Awad, New Dorp
D Nick Baccarella, Tottenville
D Rich Cunzo, St. Joseph by the Sea
GK Michael DeMarco, Monsignor Farrell
GK John Eberlein, St. Peter’s
MF Nermun Kurtesi, Curtis
D Osman Lunja, Monsignor Farrell
MF Dardan Nika, Tottenville
F Samuel Saie, Port Richmond
MF Arlind Stafaj, Curtis
D Rocco Trapani, St. Joseph by the Sea