The NYC soccer season came to an end at Adelphi University Sunday afternoon with a pair of scintillating finals. The PSAL season wrapped up the previous weekend on Randall’s Island.
As expected, Martin Luther King Jr. finishes atop our rankings. PSAL brethren Francis Lewis, who the Knights beat to win their fourth title in a row, is fourth, Beacon seventh and Tottenville ninth. NYSAISAA champ Dalton is sixth after claiming the state crown.
And in the CHSAA, Archbishop Molloy needed penalty kicks to get past nationally-ranked St. Anthony’s in the state semifinals, but fell to a well-rested Iona Prep squad, 2-1, in the final Sunday. They’re second, followed by St. Francis Prep third, Regis fifth, Fordham Prep eighth and St. Peter’s 10th.
1. Martin Luther King Jr. (16-0-0) (Last week: 1)
There were tense moments in the Knights’ 12 PSAL Class A title in 14 years, but MLK had it all along. The Knights played 16 matches against PSAL competition and won them all. They outscored the opposition 50-4 in those tilts, a remarkably lopsided number. In four playoffs wins, it was 16-1.
Next: Season complete
2. Archbishop Molloy (11-1-4) (2)
The Stanners had plenty to play for over the weekend at Adelphi’s Competition Field. After winning the CHSAA Class A intersectional title, Molloy was not only going for the state championship, but also looking to finish the season undefeated in the CHSAA. Neither happened. The Stanners fell to Iona Prep, 2-1, in the final. And although Molloy ends the season with a loss, it was a season to remember for Andy Kostel’s squad.
Next: Season complete
3. St. Francis Prep (10-1-3) (3)
How sick will the Terriers be next year? Consider this: all five players on the CHSAA All-League team – Danny Begonja, Daniel Finn, Frankie Biordi, Christian Molano and Chris Joseph – are back. No wonder St. Francis Prep coach Franco Purificato was in good spirits a week after a loss to Molloy in the CHSAA Class A intersectional final.
Next: Season complete
4. Francis Lewis (13-1-2) (4)
There is plenty of needs to be filled for the Patriots, especially in the midfield and up front. But their own third is covered with sweeper Nathaniel Richardson and goalkeeper Chris Herrera. The two were excellent in helping Francis Lewis reach the PSAL Class A final, particularly the 6-foot-2 Herrera who shut out Stuyvesant in the quarterfinals and was brilliant against No. 7 Beacon in penalty kicks in the semifinals.
Next: Season complete
5. Regis (8-5-3) (5)
Regis coach Vincent Catapano doesn’t have the luxury that Purificato has. Eight of his starters, including leading scorer Will Eberts, is graduating. All-CHSAA goalkeeper Connor Hailey is back, but he’ll likely play in the field for much of the time.
Next: Season complete
6. Dalton (12-4-1) (6)
The Tigers run to the NYSAISAA state title was a memorable one. It included an upset of Collegiate, an opening-round victory over Columbia Prep and a thrilling win over two-time champ Poly Prep in the final.
Next: Season complete
7. Beacon (11-5-0) (7)
There is plenty of time between today and the start of next season. So much can happen. By how we see it, though, the Blue Demons are next year’s favorite in the PSAL. They return sophomore goalkeeper Max Brown, forwards Joseph Nikic, who led Manhattan A in scoring, Tom and Peter Poulos and Walker Latham, and fullbacks Anthony Casagranda and Gideon Rosenthal. Plus, there isn’t a better coach in the entire city – in any league – as Alec Mahrer.
Next: Season complete
8. Fordham Prep (5-4-6) (8)
Like the national deficit, the Rams grew throughout the season. By the end of the season, Fordham Prep was one of the top teams in the CHSAA. Next year, the Rams will be very good. But with sophomores like Mark Kramerchuck, Dylan Cope and Mark Higgins returning, their best soccer might be played in two years.
Next: Season complete
9. Tottenville (15-2-1) (9)
This season was nothing short of memorable in Huguenot: a Staten Island ‘A’ crown and spot in the PSAL Class A semifinals. Coach Ron Nathanson, keeper Damien Vuotto and company have a lot to be proud of. Building on these accomplishment may be even tougher. The Pirates are now the hunted instead of the hunter.
Next: Season complete
10. St. Peter’s (4-2-2) (10)
Kris Bistre and Benny Cosovic will graduate in June and will be two sorely missed players. But the Eagles lost almost every starter from the 2008 squad, including leading scorer Cemil Turan, goalkeeper Chris Seibel and midfielder Richard Akoi and yet still pushed Archbishop Molloy to the brink in a penalty kick shootout loss in the CHSAA Class A quarterfinals. In other words, St. Peter’s will be just fine next year.
Next: Season complete
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Xavier (5-7-2), St. Joseph by the Sea (3-1-3), Monsignor McClancy (10-2-1), Curtis (13-2-2), Lehman (11-1-3), John Adams (11-3-0) and Columbus (12-2-1)