11-9-08 State CHSAA Final 4-1 W

Mission accomplished.

BY JASON MOLINET

There wasn’t an overflow of emotion, just the simple satisfaction of a job well done. The St. Anthony’s boys soccer team wrapped up an unbeaten and historic season on Sunday with a dominating 4-1 victory over Queens power Molloy in the state CHSAA title game.

As the St. Anthony’s starters – by now on the bench – jogged onto the turf field at Adelphi in Garden City once the clock drained to zero, a few enterprising players grabbed the water bucket and emptied it on assistant coach Don Correo. There were broad smiles and hugs, but hardly the explosion of emotion you might expect.

Each player calmly accepted championship medallions and when the team plaque was handed out to longtime coach Gene Buonaiuto, the players coolly assembled around him and posed for pictures.

This season was hardly preordained – everyone had high hopes, but who knew? – yet the Friars took to the role of champion with a comfortable familiarity. This marks the second title in program history and the second in four years. The truth is this year will be long remembered.

“This is probably my best team,’’ said Buonaiuto, who improved to 290-92-29 in 24 seasons as coach. “They have the best record.’’

These Friars (21-0-1), ranked second in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, also have the most recognition. Every bit of it was earned.

“You don’t get any better than winning a state championship,’’ junior defender Tyler Botte said.

The game was won in the midfield and by unsung heroes such as Botte. Midfielders such as senior Keith Jecewiz controlled the tempo and pushed the ball around the field, making opponents chase and react. And on the few occasions a forward broke through, the defense went to work.

It was much the same against Molloy. Friars senior goalkeeper Alex Naples was hardly tested, although he did surrender his fifth goal of the year with 7:17 left and the Friars sitting on a 3-0 lead.

But the game was all but over by then.

Senior midfielder Mike Valencia, two days after a two-assist effort in a semifinal win over Buffalo-Nichols, struck first against Molloy. He was taken down in the box just 4:03 into the title game and earned a penalty kick. Valencia went right and buried the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 St. Anthony’s lead.

Senior Greg Mallia’s goal just before intermission made it 2-0. Sophomore Henry Tirado put in another goal off a rebound with 18 minutes left. Senior Chris Durant made it 4-1.

The bench might have been sky-high by that point, except for the fact that winning has been such an everyday feat for these Friars. Well, there’s nothing standing between these Friars and greatness now; no one else to conquer. Enjoy it.

Pursuit Of Perfection

Forwards rarely get this good a look at Alex Naples.

BY JASON MOLINET

Fuzzy childhood memories still carry Alex Naples today. He was just a toddler when Jeremy Pracher, his uncle on his mother’s side, played soccer for Bellport High School. Naples recalls being at many of the games.

It’s not just past recollections imprinted in Naples. Soccer is apparently embedded in his DNA too. That’s because his father, Michael Naples, was a goalkeeper on one of the first soccer teams at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue.

All that soccer knowledge has been passed down. And it was on display Friday night when St. Anthony’s played one of the biggest boys soccer matches in program history. The 5-11, 170-pound Naples was in goal. The Friars downed Buffalo-Nichols, 4-0, in a state CHSAA semifinal at Adelphi.

Actually, Naples was never challenged by Nichols. The defense in front of him wouldn’t let anyone through. But he may be tested in the title game at 3 p.m. Sunday when the Friars face Molloy.

“He’s very athletic and fearless,’’ Friars coach Gene Buonaiuto said. “He’s actually made great saves in a lot of games. He’s only given up four goals this year.’’

Credit plenty of soccer experience at a young age. It began with advice and tips from his uncle and father. Naples graduated to sessions with trainers at the age of 12.

“I’ve learned a lot from [my uncle and father] growing up,’’ Naples said. “I was never the tallest goalie and that’s a big thing. So I needed to make up for it technically. So I tried to make up for it trying to be technically perfect. I’m athletic but I don’t fit the mold of a goalie.’’

But where Naples really came into his own was in the last year playing for Queens-based Met Oval, one of 64 teams in the fledgling U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy. In June, Naples was named All-Conference in the Northeast Division.

And with two seasons in goal for the Friars, the senior has several options to play at the next level. If Naples gets accepted early decision, then Penn is the likely destination. Naples wants to major in business. But Holy Cross, Northeastern and Adelphi are in the mix.

Naples chose St. Anthony’s over his home school district of Bellport, namely for the academics. So don’t be surprised if that’s the deciding factor in a university.

College can wait. Naples still has one game left in his St. Anthony’s career. And it’s been a wild run.

“We knew we had a good team,’’ Naples said. “We lost in the semis last year. Our main goal was to win the league outright this time. I’m not saying we expected it. But we had the talent and ability to do that.’’

That mission was accomplished with an impressive 3-2 win over defending champ Chaminade. Now if the Friars can clear one more hurdle, they can lay claim to being one of the best teams in the country – and program history.

That’s a memory that may never fade.

11-7-08 State CHSAA Semifinal 4-0 W

The Friars take control.

BY JASON MOLINET

As the first semifinal game moved into overtime and beyond, there was a fear the long delay might impact the St. Anthony’s boys soccer team. The Friars warmed up. Then they retreated into the locker room. And then players came back out to watch as Molloy advanced past Iona Prep on penalty kicks, 4-1.

By the time the Friars took the field against CHSAA Buffalo champion Nichols, an hour had come and gone. Would it have an impact on the game?

Not on St. Anthony’s. The Friars dominated from start to finish, controlling the midfield in a 4-0 win late Friday in state CHSAA boys soccer semifinal at Adelphi in Garden City. Junior Nick Masotto scored twice and Nichols didn’t manage a shot on goal until the game’s final 1:05.

Call it complete domination. In fact, starting goalkeeper Alex Naples could do nothing more than clap on his teammates. Now St. Anthony’s (19-0-1), ranked second in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, plays Molloy for the state title at 3 p.m. Sunday at Adelphi.

“They weren’t ready for our style of play,’’ said midfielder Mike Valencia, who recorded two assists. “They were just chasing us. You could hear them getting winded after just 10 minutes.’’

Masotto got things going with 21:19 left in the opening half.

It was still 1-0 early in the second half. Keith Jecewiz pressed Nichols with two great drives. The first was a flick over the charging keeper just 30 seconds into the second half. But the ball sailed just over the crossbar. Jecewiz got the ball with a shot on goal again just two minutes later. This time he fired a blast that the keeper absorbed in the gut.

The Friars finally broke through in the 47th minute when Greg Mallia dribbled through a pack of defenders and fired near corner from just outside the box. The ball sliced between a narrow gap between the keeper and the post for a 2-0 lead.

Masotto struck again three minutes later and the rout was on. Coach Gene Buonaiuto began wholesale substitutions moments later.

Matt Barry closed scoring with 3:58 left. It was a long night, but worth the wait.

11-1-08 NSCHSAA Final Chaminade 3-2 W

The Friars are champions.

No. 1 St. Anthony’s beat No. 2 Chaminade, 3-2, in two overtimes to capture the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA boys soccer championship Saturday night at Adelphi. Orlando Castanada scored twice and Alex Naples made 10 saves.

The Friars move on to the state CHSAA semifinals on Nov. 7. They will face the Buffalo CHSAA champ (either Nichols or St. Francis) at 7:30 p.m. at Adelphi.

10-23-08 @St. Dominic 7-0 W

Senior midfielder Karl Rumph cuts through traffic.

BY JASON MOLINET

When you are a nationally-ranked team, keeping the edge that got you there can be difficult. The St. Anthony’s boys soccer team can only play the schedule before them, and on Thursday it was an overmatched St. Dominic.

Alex Naples had so little to do that even the game official took note. He arbitrarily stopped the game late in the first half Thursday to let St. Anthony’s coaches replace Naples in goal.

The Friars had already built a 7-0 lead over St. Dominic in a Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA mismatch. With a mandate not to score in the second half, and with all 24 players on the roster getting time on the field, that’s how it remained.

Seven was enough. Senior midfielder Edward Curry scored twice in the first 18 minutes, opening a 1-0 lead with a header just four minutes in. In fact, he ran toward midfield his arms in the air as if signaling a touchdown. Prophetic.

Adam Weinzimmer made it 2-0. Then came another goal by Curry. Greg Mallia extended the lead to 4-0 in the 21st minute. Brian Recureo, Nick Masotto and Chris Durant capped off the offensive onslaught.

“We’re just a strong group,’’ said Curry, who started the season in the backfield and had just one goal until Thursday, “from the one sophomore to the juniors and seniors.’’

Understandably, Naples had little to do. The senior did manage two saves, but St. Dominic couldn’t muster a sustained attack, even on its home field in Oyster Bay.

St. Doms keeper Chris Piccadela wasn’t half bad. But with the Friars constantly on his side of the field, the shots came early and often. It could have been worse. Much worse.

The net result was another impressive win for the Friars, ranked third in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. St. Anthony’s (15-0-1) wraps up the regular season Saturday 1:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist. It’s the fourth game in five days for St. Anthony’s.

It was a notable win for another reason. Coach Gene Buonaiuto recorded his 285th career win. Buonaiuto is 285-92-29 in 24 seasons. He’s enjoying the ride, calling this perhaps his deepest team.

The playoffs are fast approaching. The Friars have clinched the top seed and will host a semifinal game on Tuesday. That’s when this group of Friars gets measured against the ghosts of seasons past.

9-21-08 Rochester-McQuaid Jesuit 3-0 W

Anthony Arena throws the ball in. [PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANCI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI

ONEONTA, N.Y. — When you look up the definition of an intense game, Sunday’s boys soccer game against Rochester-McQuaid Jesuit would be exactly what you would see. Three goals, two players red carded, and one victory for St. Anthony’s was the theme on this day. The score was 3-0.

The opening half was filled with whistles. It seemed like the referees were calling everything, from minor contact to off sides. Many of the players were voicing their displeasures, and no one was able to put a tally on the board. St. Anthony’s had a number of centering feeds, but McQuaid Jesuit was able to thwart off their attempts. The first half ended with neither team having a goal.

The second half started with a huge play that may have been the turning point of the game. McQuaid Jesuit was in the offensive zone, and their attacker had a completely open net to work with. Unfortunately for him, he soared the shot over the cross bar, and the game remained tied.
Shortly thereafter, Rob Kramer would notch his first goal of the season to give the Friars a 1-0 lead. Kromer blasted the ball into the McQuaid keeper, but the ball squirted on through.

“We were awarded a free kick because of hard work,” said Kromer. “Although I will admit it. It was kind of a lucky goal. But I will take it.” Although there was plenty of time left, this ended up being the game-winner.

Both teams exchanged chances in what was a very physical second half. St. Anthony’s Kieth Jecewiz received a yellow card due to a sportsmanship issue. Shortly thereafter, Orlando Castanada was able to create space and break in on the McQuaid Jesuit keeper and a nifty move enabled him to give St Anthony’s the insurance that they were looking for.

As if that wasn’t enough, St. Anthony’s would put one into the net one more time. Henry Tirado was driving down the field on the near side, and he blasted a shot that was intended as a cross. Luckily it went off of the post and into the net, which drew a big response from those in attendance.

“I just beat the player and I was trying to cross,” said Tirado. “I knew it was going to go in immediately after it left my foot. I could just tell by the keeper’s position.”

Kieth Jecewiz was later red carded for another sportsmanship issue, and then McQuaid Jesuit seemed to retaliate as they took out a St. Anthony’s defender on what seemed like an unnecessary hit. The culprit was given a red card as well.

St. Anthony’s leaves the tournament with a record of 2-0 for the second consecutive year, and they will look to keep up their winning ways when they visit St. Mary’s on Tuesday, September 23 at 4:15 p.m.

9-20-08 Vestal 3-2 W

The Friars’ Chris Labiak with the ball.

BY MICHAEL GANCI

ONEONTA, N.Y. — The St. Anthony’s boys soccer team kept on pushing harder and harder against a diligent Vestal defense, and it couldn’t muster much early. But late in the second half, the Friars found the rhythm they needed to hand Vestal its first defeat of the season, 3-2, on Saturday morning at the National soccer Hall of Fame’s At-A-Glance Field.

After 13 minutes of scoreless play, St. Anthony’s finally was able to put the ball in the net for the first goal of the game. Greg Mallia would not give up, as he had two consecutive shots blocked. The third time was the charm, as he was able to beat Vestal’s Mike Economou to give St. Anthony’s a one-goal lead.

The Friars maintained that lead until the 35th minute. Nick Patricia was able to set up Paul Hoover, who blasted one past Shane Wend to tie the game. Wend got a piece, but the ball was kicked too hard for him to stop. Through one half, the teams had nearly identical numbers. The game was tied at 1-1, both teams had four shots and two saves, and St. Anthony’s had one more corner.

Vestal came out on a mission to start the second half, and it would take a little time before they saw any results. Two minutes in, St. Anthony’s goalie Kevin Hays was caught out of the net, but the defense was able to bail him out. St. Anthony’s was able to maintain order for the next few minutes, but at the 20 minute mark, Bijan Mangouri set up Tom Keegan for a goal that gave vestal the lead.

Vestal had the momentum, but St. Anthony’s wasn’t going to give up. With less than ten minutes remaining, Joseph Lyons was able to tie it up. He picked up the deflection from a shot taken by Orlando Castanada, and he was able to put it into the net.

“I give Valencia credit for the corner kick, and Orlando credit for kicking it on goal,” said Lyons. “You never know what will happen. I just tipped it in.”

Shortly after, Nick Masotto was able to draw a whistle and get a free kick for St. Anthony’s. Rob Kromer sent it toward the net and Masotto was able to redirect it off of the far post and in for the game-winner. St. Anthony’s would hold on for the 3-2 win.

“I got pushed and we were awarded a free kick,” said Masotto. “I was able to jump and use my head to redirect it off of the far post.”

“We looked a little tired today, but it was nice to see us persevere,” said Coach Gene Buonaiuto.

The Friars will be in action once again at At-A-Glance Field on Sunday, September 21 at 9 a.m. against McQuaid Jesuit.

9-18-08 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST 2-1 W

The pregame handshake was friendly.

BY JASON MOLINET

What should have been a singular victory against a top Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA rival was marred by a violent end. St. Anthony’s topped St. John the Baptist, 2-1, in a boys soccer showdown that was high on emotion and physical play Thursday night at Cy Donnelly Field in South Huntington.

In the end, tempers flared and the game was stopped with 1:39 remaining in the second half when a brawl erupted just beyond the St. Anthony’s goal. The melee lasted 30 seconds and both benches left the sideline. According to St. Anthony’s athletic director Don Buckley, who conferred with the officials on the field in the aftermath, three players from each team was given a red card and ejected (their names were not released).

Buckley said he would speak with St. John the Baptist athletic director Ralph Dalton in the coming days on an appropriate course of action. St. John the Baptist also saw Stephen Richardson ejected with 7:19 left, forcing the Cougars to play a man down. Each player given a red card must sit out the next league game.

The emotion built with each goal. St. Anthony’s junior forward Nick Masotto struck first with 90 seconds left in the opening half. St. John’s scored the equalizer with five seconds left in the half when Kyle Grell hammered home a direct kick by Adriano Gabriele.

But the Cougars could not beat St. Anthony’s senior goalkeeper Alex Naples twice. He blocked a blast by Gabriele with 16 minutes left. Another potential goal hit the goal post with 11 minutes to go.

Once SJB was forced to play a man down, the momentum swung the Friars’ way. It stayed there until the end when things got ugly. The full extent of the fallout will be known in the coming days. Any way you look at it, this was one costly game.