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.

10-21-08 @Kellenberg 3-1

Ranked second in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll and first in New York State, the Friars (13-0-1) are currently riding a very successful season and continued with a neatly played win.

All three goals were scored in the first half as junior forward Nick Masotto began the scoring off a pass from senior midfielder Mike Valencia at 26:04. Nearly three minutes later, junior defender Anthony Arena dished to senior midfielder Greg Mallia for the second tally.

Mallia then returned the favor as his pass to senior Adam Weinzimmer was turned into the third score at 41:31. Goalies senior Alex Naples and juniors Kevin Hayes and Jon Wiess kept Kellenberg at bay except for a Connor McKenna goal.

Scoring
Team…………………….1….2 – Final
St. A……………………..3….0 – 3
Kellen……………………0….1 – 1
GOALS – St. A: Masotto, Mallia, Weinzimmer; Kellen: McKenna.. Saves – St. A: Naples 2, Hayes 1, Wiess 2; Kellen: Szymanski 12.

10-16-08 ST. MARY’S 8-0 W

As the Friars (8-0-1) continue to roll through the season the offense evenly distributed its goals scoring four in each half of this runaway.

Greg Mallia got the ball rolling with a goal off an assist by fellow senior midfielder Karl Rumph at the 9-minute mark of the first half. Junior forward Orlando Castanada passed to senior defender Adam Weinzimmer 10:08 later for a 2-0 lead.

Junior forward Nick Masotto tallied off a dish from senior forward Matt Barry at the 23:36 mark and at 43:10 Masotto collected the assist as senior defender Rob Krohmer tallied.

Rumph assisted by senior midfielder Mike Valencia began the second half scoring spree. Mallia scored again, then Valencia added another assists as Nick Jecewiz tallied, then senior midfielder Kieth Jecewiz passed to Castanada for the final goal.

Scoring
Team…………………….1….2 – Final
St. M……………………..0….0 – 0
St. A………………………4….4 – 8
GOALS – St. A: Mallia 2, Weinzimmer, Masotto, Krohmer, Rumph, N. Jecewiz, Castanada. Saves – St. M: Ferguson 12; St. A: Naples 1, Hayes 1, Wiess 1

10-2-08 HOLY TRINITY 7-0 W

Junior forward Nick Masotto notched the hat trick, senior midfielder Greg Mallia tallied a pair of scores and junior defender Anthony Arena recorded two assists in the victory.

Junior midfielder Joe Lyons and junior Orlando Castanada also contributed a goal each as senior midfielders Kieth Jecewiz and Mike Valencia dished out one assist apiece, along with junior defender Tyler Botte and senior defender Anthony Uliano.

Scoring
Team…………………….1….2 – Final
HT……………………….0….0 – 0
St. A……………………..5….2 – 7
GOALS – St. A: Masotto 3, Mallia 2, Lyons, Castanada. Saves – HT: Rose 13; St. A: Naples 1, Hayes 1, Wiess 1.

9-23-08 @St. Mary’s 9-1 W

Three games removed from their hard fought battle with rival St. John the Baptist, the Friars continue rolling following a 9-1 road victory over St. Mary’s, where seven different players scored.

Tallying five goals in the first half, St. Anthony’s (7-0, 3-0) captured a 5-0 lead as senior midfielders Greg Mallia and Karl Rumph, Anthony Escamilliari, senior forward Matt Barry and junior defender Tyler Botte scored.

Escamilliari tallied again in the second half, along with Kyle Restivo another junior varsity player, who also scored twice. Senior midfielder Mike Valencia also scored in the second half as St. Mary’s put past a Friar keeper.

Though happy his team won coach Gene Buonaiuto said: “We have some tough games ahead of us,” including an Oct. 7 rematch with St. John’s.

Scoring
Team………………….1….2 – Final
St.A……………………5…4 – 9
St. M…………………..0…1 – 1
GOALS – St.A.: Mallia, Rumph, Escamilliari 2, Barry, Botte, Restivo 2, Valencia. St.M: NA. Saves – St. A.: Hayes, 2, Wiess 2. St. M: NA.