Only a week remains in the soccer season and plenty has yet to be decided, from titles and all-city honors to spots in our all-important rankings.
A new CHSAA Class A intersectional champion in Iona Prep was crowned, while the PSAL is down to eight in its ‘A’ postseason. Collegiate came out of nowhere to win its first NYSAISAA crown and moved into our top 10 for the first time as a result. Also new to this space is surprising Bayside and dangerous John Adams.
In the CHSAA, there are still a few big games left as the Gaels and St. Francis Prep move on to the state tournament and St. Joseph by the Sea, Mount St. Michael, Cardinal Spellman and St. Edmund Prep are all vying for the Class B title.
1. Martin Luther King Jr. (14-1-0) (Last week: 1)
The loss of suspended standouts Tarek Beckles and Ibrahim Diaby for two weeks produced one positive: It pushed freshman Jethro Dede into a starring role. And the speedy underclassman produced, scoring twice in King’s 5-0 victory over Fort Hamilton last Thursday in the Knights’ playoff opener. There may not be a quicker pair of strikers in the city than Dede and Moriken (Chelsea) Sangary. Only MLK loses two stars and finds another.
Next: No. 7 Curtis, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (Nov. 8, 2:30 p.m.)
2. Francis Lewis (12-0-1) (2)
In the preseason, Lewis coach Roger Sarmuksnis said this could be his best defensive club in several years. Well, as the quarterfinals beckon, he has been proven prophetic, behind the brilliant play of Adelphi-bound goalkeeper Chris Herrera and standout fullbacks Michael Zebzda, Luigi Puello and Adrian Garcia. They allowed all of eight goals this year and have produced consecutive shutouts, including a 1-0 playoff win over Stuyvesant last Thursday.
Next: Williams Bryant, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (Nov. 8, 2:30 p.m.)
3. Fordham Prep (14-2-3) (3)
The Rams defense suffered just two losses all season, both by a goal. The second was a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to rival Iona Prep in the CHSAA Class A intersectional title game, Fordham’s fourth trip in five years. Can the Rams make it five in six years? A solid group featuring Dylan Cope, Mark Higgins and Greg McNamara are hoping to make that happen.
Next: Season complete
4. St. Francis Prep (15-2-0) (2)
The Terriers were downright distraught after a shocking loss to Iona Prep on penalty kicks Tuesday night in the CHSAA Class A intersectional semifinals. But two hours later their mood brightened when Archbishop Molloy lost to Fordham Prep, opening the door for St. Francis Prep to compete in the CHSAA state tournament. Can St. Francis Prep make the most of its second chance?
Next: Canisius (Buffalo), CHSAA state semifinals @ Belson Stadium (Nov. 11, 5 p.m.)
5. Archbishop Molloy (12-3-2) (5)
The Stanners valiantly battled Fordham Prep in the CHSAA Class A intersectional semifinals, rallying from an early 1-0 deficit to level the match just before halftime on a goal by Zach Zayas and took the Rams to penalties. While the loss was disheartening, Stanners coach Andy Kostel said he was proud of his team’s effort and development in just two months.
Next: Season complete
6. Tottenville (15-0-0) (6)
The Pirates weren’t at their best in their playoff debut last Thursday, needing to rally just to get by Long Island City, 2-1. A similar start could cause elimination against the talented Commodores. Knowing intense Tottenville coach Ron Nathanson, however, that won’t happen again. Look for a quick start out of Carlo Coladonato, Marco Mingozzi and Co.
Next: No. 8 Bayside, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (Nov. 8, 2:30 p.m.)
7. Beacon (13-2-1) (7)
The Blue Demons are without dynamic striker Peter Poulos, who moved back home with his mother on Long Island, but that doesn’t mean they are short of finishers. From seniors forwards Joseph Nikic (nine goals) and Reza Malek (seven) to skilled midfielders Walker Latham, Luca Quinn and Ryan Cupolo, Beacon has plenty of options. The question is, who emerges with the Manhattan dynamo’s season on the line against a dangerous John Adams squad.
Next: No. 10 John Adams, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (Nov. 8, 2:30 p.m.)
8. Bayside (10-3-1) (NR)
The Commodores are the most dangerous of sleepers this time of year: too young to understand the gravity of the situation and possessing the talent to move deeper along in the postseason. Tottenville, you have been warned.
Next: No. 6 Tottenville, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (Nov. 8, 2:30 p.m.)
9. Collegiate (12-5-1) (NR)
They may as well call the NYSAISAA tournament the Collegiate Invitational when it comes to boys’ sports. The Dutchmen won basketball last winter, baseball in the spring and now soccer in the fall. Collegiate was only the favorite in basketball. The soccer team, young and talented, came out of nowhere, pulling upsets over Rye Country Day School, Poly Prep and Hackley.
Next: Season complete
10. John Adams (13-1-2) (NR)
Of the eight teams remaining in the PSAL Class A playoffs, there are two players that can singlehandedly turn a match on its side: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Moriken (Chelsea) Sangary and Rodolfo Paguada of Adams. All Paguada has done after a remarkable regular season in which he led Queens A West with 26 goals – fourth best in the city – is score four postseason goals and add three assists. Now he has a chance to send the Spartans into their first ‘A’ semis, just three years after they moved up from the ‘B’ division.
Next: No. 7 Beacon, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (Nov. 8, 2:30 p.m.)
New: Bayside (10-3-1), Collegiate (12-5-1) and John Adams (13-1-2)
Dropped out: Bronx Science (12-2-0), Columbus (10-3-1) and Horace Mann (12-3-2)
On the bubble: Bronx Science (12-2-0), Christ the King (7-10-0), Columbus (10-3-1), Curtis (14-2-0), Poly Prep (15-4-0), Horace Mann (12-3-2), William Bryant (12-1-3) and Xavier (9-5-3)