CK’s John Fayad is The Post’s Alll-City Coach of the Year. (William Thomas)
Familiar faces were again hoisting trophies after dominant seasons.
Beacon won its second straight PSAL Class A title and Riverdale completed consecutive unbeaten NYSAISAA championships. St. Joseph Hill took home its second CHSAA Archdiocesan crown in the last three years. Christ the King put its name amongst the city’s elite with its first ever CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title. The year also saw the emergence of Bayside’s D. J. Glazer and Mary Louis’ Therese Boyle as strikers and the end of the fine careers of McKee/Staten Island Tech’s Jackie Bruno, who is headed to UMass and Beacon’s Jennifer Angione with another title.
The Post’s All-City Player of the Year: Jennifer Angione, Beacon
The playoffs have belonged to Jennifer Angione and Beacon and this year was no different. Since moving to forward last season the senior has flourished into one of the city’s most clutch scorers, unfazed by the big stage.
The forward scored seven of the team’s 19 playoffs goals this year. Angione recorded a hat trick in the quarterfinals against Tottenville and scored the first goal and added an assist in a semifinal win over Francis Lewis. With the championship on the line, she scored both goals to help the Blue Demons beat rival Bronx Science in the PSAL Class AA final.
“As we have gotten into the playoffs her level of play has gone up that way,” Beacon coach Kevin Jacobs said after the title game.
Angione scored 18 goals and dished out nine assists to help the Blue Demons claim its fourth straight undefeated Manhattan A-II crown. Since moving to forward last season, she has displayed a pin-point accurate shot, an unselfish nature and leadership that has helped make Beacon one of the city’s premier programs in recent years.
“It’s just amazing to be in the finals all four years,” Angione said. “I don’t know what it feels like not to be in the finals. To win two years in a row and be a senior, it’s really exciting. It’s a great feeling.”
The Post All-City Coach of the Year: John Fayad, Christ the King
John Fayad clutched the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens championship plaque securely under his arm and joked that he wasn’t letting it go. It took the Christ the King coach six seasons to put the program on the upswing and finally claim the elusive crown. It was the Royals first title in their first championship game appearance led by the senior group the put the whole thing in motion.
“They are a special group Fayad said. “I’m going to miss them dearly.”
Along with his player’s growing talent, CK’s success can be traced back to Fayad’s limitless passion and his unshakeable believe in his players. A handful of them had played little soccer when they joined the team and became key pieces to championship club. Even when a comeback was need and it appeared Mary Louis would claim the title, he didn’t flinch.
“I figured if the girls had heart they would do something about it,” Fayad said. “You saw a different mentality.”
One he instilled in them.
FIRST TEAM
F Jackie Bruno, McKee/Staten Island Tech
The UMass-bound striker will go down as one of the best ever in the PSAL. Bruno’s 20 goals and five assists helped lead MSIT to a Staten Island A division title and quarterfinals berth.
F Therese Boyle, Mary Louis
The talented sophomore, who has one of the city’s most accurate shots, contributed offensively in nearly every game for TMLA. She netted a hat trick in a CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens semifinal win over Fontbonne and their lone score in the final
GK Julia Bernhardt, Francis Lewis
One of the city’s premier keepers didn’t miss a beat coming off ACL surgery. Her athletic saves and confidence presence in net helped Francis Lewis reach the PSAL semifinals for the second time in the last four years.
F Victoria Chirico, St. Joseph Hill
The senior was a dual threat with the ball at her feet as she led St. Joseph Hill with more than 20 goals. There weren’t too many defenders Chirico couldn’t out run. She was nearly automatic from 18-yards or less.
M Rachel Copulsky, Riverdale
There was a little magic in Copulsky’s left leg. The senior had 11 goals and 11 assists to help Riverdale win a second straight unbeaten NYSAISAA title. She had the winner on a penalty kick in the semifinals.
F D. J. Glazer, Bayside
Glazer was the year’s break out star. She tallied 59 goals and had the flare for the dramatic as Bayside won its first division title since 2008 and reached semifinals thanks to her hat trick and winner in the quarterfinals.
M Gianna Smith, St. Joseph Hill
With Smith fully healthy, Hill continued its Staten Island dominance and reclaimed its CHSAA Archdiocesan crown. The super skilled senior scored the eventual winners in the diocesan semifinals and final.
D Liza Kapelus, Beacon
Nothing Kapelus doesn’t is flashy, but results speak for themselves. The senior sweeper’s calming influence and leadership back has left Beacon unscored upon in the last two post seasons.
D Aimée Kasmally, St. Francis Prep
There may not be a more physically gifted defender in the five boroughs. The junior’s speed, strength and smarts at sweeper are one of the biggest reasons SFP competes at a high level in the challenging CHSAA Nassau/Suffolk league.
D/M Victoria Roda, Petrides
The senior showed she could get it down on both side of the ball. Roda, considered arguably the PSAL’s best sweeper also had 10 goals and four assists when moved to midfield to help Petrides earn a playoff berth this season
M Christina Viaggio, Christ the King
Viaggio scored 16 of her 23 goal in the first six games with Fabiana Rebecca slowed by injury. The senior later became a feeder, dishing out 10 assists, including two in a CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens final victory over Mar y Louis.
SECOND TEAM
D Brianna Brukalo, McKee/Staten Island Tech
M Casey Collins Archbishop Molloy
M Phoebe Dawkins, Bronx Science
GK Kristen Drogsler, Christ the King
M Danielle Fuller, Staten Island Academy
M Jo Haller, St. Ann’s
M Deirdre Ray, Mary Louis
M Shannon Rhodes, Packer Collegiate
M Summer Sofer, Riverdale/Kingsbridge
F Pamela Wishart, Leon Goldstein
M Zoe Clark, Riverdale
HONORABLE MENTION
M Isabella Bertagna, Riverdale
M Megan Caccavale, LaGuardia
GK Kristy Colangelo, St. Joseph by the Sea
M Alex Easton, Beacon
M/GK Lucy Evert, Bronx Science
F/D Charlotte Hersh, Dalton
F Hana Kaeser, Fieldston
M Gena Koutsoundis, Francis Lewis
M Fabiana Rebecca, Christ the King
GK Kristy Ricca St. Joseph Hill
M Shannon Rubin, Notre Dame Academy