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.

10-14-08 CHAMINADE 2-1 W

That both of these teams actually scored a goal against each other was news let along that one had prevailed in a match up of top Catholic League, Long Island and nationally ranked squads.

When defender Adam Weinzimmer took a pass from fellow senior Karl Rumph and deposited it into the net for a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the contest it was one more goal than either team tallied in a 0-0 draw on Sept. 30.

Then junior forward Orlando Castanada dished to senior midfielder Mike Valencia and with 17 minutes remaining in the game scored the game winner. Don Anding had knocked in the equalizer 22 minutes in.

The Friars are now 7-0-1 and is ranked fourth in a nationwide poll kept by ESPN. The 7-1-1 Chaminade squad is ranked eighth in the identical poll.

Scoring
Team…………………….1….2 – Final
Cham……………………1….0 – 1
St.A………………………1….1 – 7
GOALS – Cham: Anding; St. A.: Weinzimmer, Valenica. Saves – Cham: Saldana 3, Gallagher 4 St. A.: Naples, 6.

10-11-08 KELLENBERG 7-1 W

In a tune up to their rematch with Chaminade seven different Friars (6-0-1) scored and a half dozen players collected assists in the Saturday victory.

Senior midfielders Mike Valencia and Kieth Jecewiz, junior defender Tyler Botte, junior midfielder Joe Lyons, sophomore midfielder Henry Tirado, senior forward Chris Durant and senior defender Adam Weinzimmer were the goal scorers.

Botte, senior defender Ed Curry, junior forwards Orlando Castaneda and Nick Masotto, senior forward Matt Barry and senior midfielder Greg Mallia dished out the assists. Jon Weiss (23 saves), Alex Naples and Kevin Hayes, one save each, shared the
net.

Scoring
Team…………………….1….2 – Final
Kellen……………………0….1 – 1
St.A………………………6…..1 – 7
GOALS – Kellen: McKenna; St. A.: Valencia, Jecewicz, Botte, Lyons, Tirado, Durant, Weinzimmer. Saves – Kellen: Szymanski 6, Ciaverella 6; St. A.: Naples, 1, Hayes, 1, Wiess 23.

10-4-08 MOLLOY 3-0 W

Senior midfielder Mike Valencia came across the box and took a pass from junior forward Orlando Castanada and headed into the net for a 1-0 advantage 6:01 into the first half.

Valencia returned the favor at the 23:06 mark as junior forward Nick Masotto tallied on the cross for a 2-0 lead. The Friars extended their lead as Greg Mallia scored on a through ball from fellow senior midfielder Karl Rumph 8:42 into the second half.

Scoring
Team…………………….1….2 – Final
Molloy……………………0….0 – 0
St. A……………………….2….1 – 3
GOALS – St. A: Valencia, Masotto. Saves – Molloy: N/A 12; St. A: Naples 2, Hayes 2, Wiess 2.