The Post’s PSAL boys soccer rankings began with Martin Luther King Jr. at the top. Was there ever any doubt it wouldn’t end that way? MLK won its fourth straight Class A crown Sunday, nipping No. 2 Francis Lewis, 1-0.
There were surprises this year. No. 4 Tottenville won Staten Island A for the first time in over a decade and made the semifinals, No. 9 John Adams claimed Queens A West, and No. 10 Queens Vocational Tech, a newcomers to these rankings, won the ‘B’ crown.
1. Martin Luther King Jr. (16-0-0) (Last week: 1)
While King graduates 12 seniors, its entire midfield and backline, it does return Moriken Sangary, the sensational sophomore striker. His presence alone will make the Knights dangerous. He did plenty this postseason, scoring six goals in three games, including the city championship-clincher, in the 69th minute of Sunday’s 1-0 win over Francis Lewis.
Next: Season complete
2. Francis Lewis (13-1-2) (2)
It will be another long, cold offseason in Fresh Meadows. The Patriots felt this was their time to capture that elusive city title, like the year before and the year before that. Instead, it ended in agonizing fashion, to No. 1 MLK, of all teams. Lewis will still be formidable, given the return of sensational keeper Chris Herrera, sweeper Nathaniel Richardson and midfielder Danny Bedoya. But it may be a few years before the Queens school is that close to the crown.
Next: Season complete
3. Beacon (11-5-0) (3)
The Blue Demons have holes to fill, particularly in the back, where seniors Jacob Kipnis, Alex Scrum and Alex Brass graduate. But they are our early pick as 2010 favorites. Goalkeeper Max Brown was phenomenal his sophomore year while strikers Walker Latham, Peter and Tom Poulos and Joseph Nikic, who led Manhattan A in scoring during the regular season, all return.
Next: Season complete
4. Tottenville (15-2-1) (4)
The key for the Pirates isn’t so much repeating this memorable season, but sustaining it. It won’t be easy with keeper Damien Vuotto and striker Allan Tarkatchev moving on. Tottenville, though, does return several contributors, including junior Cihan Yildiz, who scored 13 goals this season.
Next: Season complete
5. Columbus (12-2-1) (5)
The Explorers’ season ended a round shorter than last year, in the quarterfinals to No. 3 Beacon, but Jason Renick has plenty to be proud of. His club showed plenty of fortitude in rebounding from a slow start and has proven itself to be the class of the Bronx. Watch out for freshman midfielder Endri Berisha — the underclassman is as versatile as he is talented.
Next: Season complete
6. Stuyvesant (9-4-2) (6)
Stuyvesant enjoyed another stellar campaign in the toughest division in the city, finishing third behind No. 1 MLK and No. 3 Beacon for the fourth straight year. It will only get tougher for the Manhattan school as keeper Alex Sandler, center midfielder Andres Fernandez and striker Cody Levin will need to be replaced. No easy feat.
Next: Season complete
7. Lehman (11-1-3) (7)
Keep an eye on Ivan Berterame, the young brother of Maxi, a star midfielder. He played sweeper for the Lions this year, but will almost certainly be moved up next year to either midfield or striker. Don’t be surprised to see him creating havoc for opposing keepers instead of protecting his own.
Next: Season complete
8. Curtis (13-2-2) (8)
The Warriors’ reign atop Staten Island came to an end this fall. That may not last long, though, not with star Christian Aldaz back, along with keeper/midfielder Kareem Crawford, sophomore Eduardo Bravo and freshman Edward Whitfield.
Next: Season complete
9. John Adams (11-3-0) (9)
Alex Navarrete is rapidly building quite a soccer program at John Adams. Three years ago, he led the Spartans to the PSAL Class B crown; last year he made the playoffs in his first season in ‘A’ and this year he won Queens A West. With junior playmaker Rodolfo Paguada returning, in addition to several others, including goalkeeper William Benitez, Adams could challenge for a city title next fall.
Next: Season complete
10. Queens Vocational Tech (17-1-1) (10)
The Tigers’ run to their first Class B championship in 34 years was simply remarkable. Consider this: they were seconds away from elimination in the second round, only to be rescued by John Avila’s last-second equalizer. And in the final, sophomore Mark Puma scored the game-winner, in what was his first game of the year after the Aviation transfer student was cleared by the PSAL.
Next: Season complete
New: Queens Vocational Tech (17-1-1)
Dropped out: Thomas Jefferson (17-1-0)
On the bubble: Thomas Edison (16-1-2), Bayside (9-4-1), Bronx Science (8-5-1), Julia Richman (5-6-2) and Susan Wagner (11-3-2)