A Hynes will be at the helm of Monsignor Farrell boys soccer again, for the first time in 16 years.
Eddie Hynes, son of program architect Jack Hynes, stepped in last week when Mike Leyden resigned to spend more time with his family. Jack Hynes, who is in the National Soccer Hall of Fame after a legendary playing career, earned more than 200 wins and led the Lions to 12 undefeated seasons from 1976 until he retired in 1995.
When Leyden stepped down, Eddie Hynes didn’t hesitate. The program has fallen on hard times lately and Farrell’s record when the coaching change happened last week was 1-5-0 in the CHSAA Staten Island ‘AA’ division.
“It was a no-brainer for me,” Eddie Hynes said. “It’s been a pretty storied program. We’d really love to see it bounce back. I really think we’re gonna turn it around sooner rather than later.”
Eddie Hynes played at Farrell and coached the JV team there on two separate occasions, the most recent in 2002. He also started the Wagner College women’s soccer program in 1993 and spent seven years there. Farrell has always been near and dear to him – he grew up across the street from the school and is now a math teacher there.
“I know the boys,” the new coach said. “It’s been a bit of a challenge to get them to believe in themselves again. They’ve had a bit of a rough season.”
Since he took over, Farrell has actually been in both games, 3-1 losses to Iona Prep and Archbishop Stepinac. The Lions lost to Fordham Prep, 9-0, the day before Leyden stepped down.
“He’s got a strong background in the sport,” Farrell athletic director Tony Garofalo said. “We were just excited he was able to step in and do it for us. It was very short notice. He kind of bailed us out with it.”
Eddie Hynes says it has been heart-wrenching seeing something that meant so much to him struggle as much as it has, especially considering Farrell in its day was the top team in New York City and a factory for Division I talent. He sees a future where the Lions could be at that level again.
“This is not a short term thing,” he said. “I absolutely plan to see this through.”
Diaby back for MLK: Martin Luther King Jr. just got a whole lot better.
It’s not like the powerhouse Knights needed much help, but they got some with the recent return of star midfielder Ibrahim Diaby. He scored twice in his league debut Wednesday, a 5-0 win over Lab Museum. Diaby, who had been nursing an abdominal strain, actually returned to action in King’s impressive 2-0 win over Newburgh Free Academy on Saturday in non-league action, but Jacobson opted to give him a breather in Monday’s 6-0 win over Julia Richman.
“I want him to work his way back in,” MLK coach Martin Jacobson said. “He’s getting the form. The goal is to get him in top form for the playoffs.”
Diaby’s absence allowed the Knights’ other skilled player time to shine. Junior central midfielder has emerged as a catalyst, with five goals and a Manhattan A-leading 13 assists, junior midfielder Tarek Beckles has a team-high eight goals and 10 assists and sophomore Amara Sesay has five tallies.
“I got a lot of young players who can play,” Jacobson said. “It’s good for them to develop. If you rely on one player you can be in trouble.”
MLK (9-0-0), ranked first in NYC by The Post, has had little problem in league play to date. It systematically took apart rival Beacon, 3-1, Sept. 21 and has outscored the opposition 33-2 thus far. The biggest reaso for the dominance, Jacobson said, is his nine returning starters are a year wiser.
“They’re taking it seriously and they are staying focused,” Jacobson said. “They have matured as young, not just as players. When kids hit 11th grade, it’s different than dealing with freshman or sophomores. Instead of them being 14 or 15 years old, they are 16 or 17. That’s a whole different species of kid.”
Home where the heart is for Stepinac: The Crusaders haven’t had a field all season, playing their home games at SUNY-Purchase and practicing at nearby Saxon Woods. The White Plains school’s facility is being redone. But the boys soccer team might not be able to play on its new field this year unless it earns a home game for the playoffs.
“Not to overdramatize it, but our field is right outside our locker room,” coach Jason Vargas said. “These boys just have their noses pinned up against the fence every day. Our drive has been that all year.”
Stepinac (4-3-2) is on a four-game unbeaten streak, including a win over powerhouse Archbishop Molloy, heading into a big match Thursday against Regis. The Crusaders are on the cusp of earning that home game, but still have work to do. Either way, it has been a breakthrough season in White Plains.
“We have turned heads at the school,” Vargas said. “Now people have realized there is a soccer program at Stepinac. The win over Molloy was monumental.”
Fordham Prep star sweeper on attack: Mark Kramarchuk and Dylan Cope, two of the Rams senior stars, both came off the bench Tuesday in a 2-1 loss to Molloy. The pair are banged up, coach Pete McNamara said, and needed more time to warm up. Once in the game, though, Kramarchuk was in the midfield rather than his typical sweeper position and he netted the equalizing goal in the second half.
“He’s a weapon,” McNamara said. “He’s a really good player. He can play any position. … We moved him forward. He’s a scoring weapon. He’s a threat. It was good time to try him right now in a league game like Molloy and see how he does.”
Curtis’ Zosayas responding well to position change: With superstar striker Christian Aldaz graduating last spring, Joyce Simonson wasn’t sure where the scoring punch would come from. Turns out, one position switch was all it took.
The longtime Curtis coach moved speedy midfielder Edwin Zosayas up front and the junior has responded with 12 goals – seven more than he managed all of last year – including his second hat trick of the year in Wednesday’s surprisingly easy 7-0 rout of rival Tottenville.
“He’s hot this year,” Simonson said. “He’s finding the net well. And he’s in the right place at the right time. … He’s been very important. He’s deceptive because he’s small, but he’s fast and he’s got a leg on him.”
Notes: Iona Prep star defender Felix Abongo should be back for the playoffs after damaging ligaments in his ankle Friday in a 1-0 loss to St. Francis Prep. Gaels coach Marcos Monteagudo initially feared a break ending the senior’s season. … St. Francis Prep coach Franco Purificato said stopper was the lone position on his team with a question mark early this season, so he moved up sophomore Joey LoBosco, “a stud on JV,” Purificato said, and he was brilliant Friday against Iona Prep in front of star sweeper Christian Molano. “He’s really filled the hole,” Purificato said. … Monsignor McClancy senior co-captain Sal Pipia is done for the season. Crusaders coach Mike Sylvester said he is out for three months with a bad shoulder injury he suffered Monday against Cardinal Hayes and has to go back in four weeks to see if he needs surgery. Their other co-captain, George Alissandratos, will be out at least three weeks with an ankle sprain. Sylvester hopes to have him back for the playoffs. … Collegiate star striker Weller Hlinomaz made his 2011 debut in the Dutchmen’s 2-1 victory over defending Ivy Prep League champion Hackley on Monday. He scored both of Collegiate’s goals. … Francis Lewis and Bayside are clearly the elite in PSAL Queens A East, but Forest Hills may have the top striker. Shokhrukhm Zakhidjonov is tied with Bayside’s Santiago Moore for the division lead with 12 goals, but he put up his numbers in two fewer matches. … For those wondering how Tilden has climbed to the top of PSAL Brooklyn A Central without dropping a match, look no further than the junior duo of Roody Pierre and Peterson Barreau. The two have combined for 22 goals (13 by Pierre) and 11 assists (six from Barreau).