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Archive for November, 2008

Girls: Conference 1 League “North” all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year: Erin Egan, John Jay-East Fishkill

League Coach of the Year: Darryl Sullivan, John Jay-East Fishkill

All League

Sarah DeMarzo, Mahopac

Lauren Cihanek, Mahopac

Carly Villanova, Mahopac

Jenna Gilbert, Carmel

Kim Broccoli, Carmel

Emily Rokitowski, R.C. Ketcham

Mahoney Melissa, R.C. Ketcham

Jessica Paskowski, R.C. Ketcham

Rachel Cerrone, R.C. Ketcham

Aislinn McIlvenny, Arlington

Lindy Sefcik, Arlington

NIkki O’Dell, Arlington

Shannon Barry, Arlington

Shannon Stoll, Arlington

Erin Egan, John Jay-EF

Jennifer Mansfield, John Jay-EF

Caitlyn Moran, John Jay-EF

Keara Hunt, John Jay-EF

Ashlee Barrow, John Jay-EF

Melissa Mansfield, John Jay-EF

Caroline Kaplan, John Jay-EF

Samantha McGuire, John Jay-EF

Honorable Mention

Rachel Tomoshosky, John Jay-EF

Leanne Disito, John Jay-EF

Stephanie Sepe, Carmel

Marissa Callahan, Carmel

Brittany Montana, Carmel

Melinda Clancy, Carmel

Maria Imburgia, Carme

Elayne Dombroski, Arlington

Ari Decher, Arlington

Danielle Axelrod, Arlington

Seanna Wright, Arlington

Kristen Shorieczny, Arlington

Mary Lynch, Mahopac

Jillian Maloney, Mahopac

Jessica Woeckner, R.C. Ketcham

Niki Smith, R.C. Ketcham

Sarah Domber, R.C. Ketcham

Kim Carr, R.C. Ketcham

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 7:06 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 1 League “South” all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year: Jessica Negron, Saunders

Coach of the Year: Carlo Mitrione, Saunders

All-League

Jessica Negron, Saunders

Melanie Lopez, Lopez

Leslyn Prasad, Saunders

Lizbeth Barrera, Saunders

Danielle DiNardo, Saunders

Sheila Reyes, Saunders

Tatiana Queliz, Saunderz

Tatiana Ticora, Gorton

Jackie Ramirez, Gorton

Heidy Lopez, Gorton

Yessica Mendez, Gorton

Anysa Crews, Lincoln

Lianaveth Nieves, Lincoln

Lorraine Perdomo, Lincoln

Diane Villegas, Lincoln

Ana Hernandez, Lincoln

Frenchy Torjani, Lincoln

Belkys Flords, Lincoln

Tammy DeSouza, Mt. Vernon

Samantha Arthurs, Mt. Vernon

Marlin Corado, Mt. Vernon

Elvia Cunduri, Mt. Vernon

Honorable Mention

Ashley Molina, Gorton

Vivian Rocha, Gorton

Yanet Martinez, Gorton

Patricia Villate, Saunders

Jennifer Lopez, Saunders

Jennifer Sagastume, Saunders

Alexandra Rivera, Lincoln

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 6:55 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 1, League “Central” all-leauge and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year: Phoebe Hanley, Mamaroneck

League Coach of the Year: Ron Blain, Mamaroneck

All-League

Amanda Tuck, Mamaroneck

Erika Romagnoli, Mamaroneck

Stephanie Velez, Mamaroneck

Alana Flynn, Mamaroneck

Abby Baigelman, Mamaroneck

Phoebe Hanley, Mamaroneck

Renee Jensen, White Plains

Allison Rainone, White Plains

Rachel Hacohen, White Plains

Emily Masseo, White Plains

Bridget Maguire, White Plains

Allie Ellman, Scarsdale

Ashlyn Hiawitschta, Scarsdale

Charlotte Miller, Scarsdale

Shelby Schrier, Scarsdale

Debbie Gilwit, New Rochelle

Sara Miesler, New Rochelle

Maura McCabe, New Rochelle

Stephanie Graziano, Ursuline

Kerry Ann O’Connor, Ursuline

Sara Zagroba, Ursuline


Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 6:31 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 1 League “West” all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year: Stephanie Reimer, Suffern

League Coach of the Year: Steve Shepardson, North Rockland

All-League

Francesca Kentimenos, North Rockland

Connie Gormley, North Rockland

Mackenzie Kerrigan, North Rockland

Nicole Landes, North Rockland

Olivia Panepinto, North Rockland

Brenna Priest, North Rockland

Georgia Traynor, North Rockland

Elizabeth, Stamboulian, North Rockland

Meghan Hayes, Clarkstown South

Sondra Lipschitz, Clarkstown South

Taylor Quilty, Clarkstown South

Kaitlyn Greeley, Clarkstown South

Evelyn Nicinski, Clarkstown North

Mackenzie McIndoe, Clarkstown North

Maya Kantor, Clarksotwn North

Shelun Tsai, Clarkstown North

Ilyse Schwartz, Clarkstown North

Stephanie Reimer, Suffern

Besarta Tanushaj, Suffern

Jen Denicola, Suffern

Katie Wolfe, Suffern

Kelsey Rehain, Suffern

Honorable mention

Scarlett Panepinto, North Rockland

Eleni Anselmi, North Rockland

Gabby Curtis, North Rockland

Kelly Moresi, Suffern

Britney Cruz, Suffern

Abby Lieberman, Clarkstown North

Christina Andromidas, Clarkstown North

Arianna Barbetto, Clarkstown North

Shannon Kopune, Clarkstown South

Bergelie Louis, Ramapo

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 6:26 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 4 League South all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year: Naomi Pollack (Solomon Schechter)

League Coach of the Year: Deena Mehran (Dobbs Ferry)

All-league

Naomi Pollack, Schechter

Julia Wein, Schechter

Niki Fleishman, Schechter

Maya Moskowitz, Schechter

Dani Stoppelman, Schechter

Tali Prince, Schechter

Sam Franklin, Schechter

Arielle Nissenblatt, Schechter

Nicoletta Hardesty, Dobbs Ferry

Margaux Malekian, Dobbs Ferry

Rebecca Bortz, Dobbs Ferry

Annalee Groner, Dobbs Ferry

Tess Meyer, Tuckahoe

Olivia Fox, Tuckahoe

Diana Ottomanelli, Tuckahoe

Gabby Severiano, Tuckahoe

Lauren Mitchell, Tuckahoe

Satsuki Tanji, Keio

Marina Uno, Keio

Mikako Arita, Keio

Eri Ouchi, Keio

Erisa Ueno, Keio

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 2:51 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 4, League North all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year – Alexia Shea, North Salem

League Coach of the Year – Robert Martin, North Salem

All-League

Alexia Shea, North Salem

Stacy Buzzetto, North Salem

Elyana Genovese, North Salem

Michelle Kay, North Salem

Valerie Kay, North Salem

Erika Tait, North Salem

Rita Valvano, North Salem

Torrie Crenson, North Salem

Courtney McSweeney, North Salem

Katelyn Mastrantone, Haldane

Liz Milner, Haldane

Megan Rohan, Haldane

Hannah Dieboll, Haldane

Phoebe Risher, Haldane

Quinn Kohut, Haldane

Jessica D’Ottavio, Pawling

Jenica Ross, Pawling

Rebecca Paugh, Pawling

Brianna Dapolito, Pawling

Kayla Campbell, Dover

Kaitlyn Chopay, Dover

Alyssa Paciello, Dover

Honorable mention

Casey Stewart, Pawling

Elizabeth Broderick, Pawling

Grace O’Malley, Haldane

Sara Dieboll, Haldane

Brianna D’Alessio, Haldane

Carolyn Schaefer, Haldane

Tatiana Gilmartin, Haldane

Michelle Kern, North Salem

Marissa Dale, North Salem

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 2:40 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 4, League Central all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year: Rosina Calisto, Rye Neck

League Co-coaches of the year: Don Cupertino (Bronxville) and Doug Choron (Rye Neck)

All-Keague

Jillian Forbes, Blind Brook

Chelsea Louis, Blind Brook

Melanie Urban, Blind Brook

Rosina Calisto, Rye Neck

Lona Speidell, Rye Neck

Jodi Rosenzweig, Rye Neck

Georgia Richardson, Rye Neck

Brittany Ciardiello, Rye Neck

Elena Solazo, Rye Neck

Alexa Pottberg, Rye Neck

Jessica Wright, Rye Neck

Christie Bonfiglio, Bronxville

Maggie Pyle, Bronxville

Jessica Palfrey, Bronxville

Kirsten Noonan, Bronxville

Julia Bruton, Bronxville

Michela Donohue, Bronxville

Shannon Crawford, Bronxville

Andrea Longo, Valhalla

Christina Mitarotunda, Valhalla

Alexa Picolli, Valhalla

Honorable mention

Nora Fisher, Blind Brook

Claudia Treacy, Blind Brook

Danielle Treacy, Blind Brook

Mary Truillo, Valhalla

Jane Fumarelli, Valhalla

Diane Kort, Rye Neck

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 2:28 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 3, League “C” all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year: Lauren Kahn, Nanuet

League Coach of the Year: Mike Henderson, Nanuet

All-League

Lauren Kahn, Nanuet

Becky Torres, Nanuet

Courtney McGrath, Nanuet

Jen Gonos, Nanuet

Sophia Patrikis, Nanuet

K.C. Jentzen, Nanuet

Laura Tropiano, Nanuet

Nikki Saponaro, Nanuet

Caitlin Hoffer, Albertus Magnus

Caitlin Frowley, Albertus Magnus

Alyssa Valente, Albertus Magnus

Erin Harding, Albertus Magnus

Marina Sideli, Hastings

Andrea Stephens, Hastings

Julia Solinaro, Hatings

Samantha Payne, Pearl River

Shannon Howe, Pearl River

Brittany Egan, Pearl River

Julie McBrien, Pearl River

Brynn Moynihan, Peal River

Jamie Bucci, Sleepy Hollow

Marissa Hurwitz, Irvington

Honorable Mention

Sarah Schuker, Nanuet

Christine Bresovsky, Nanuet

Tara St. Onge, Nanuet

Sara Rodregas, Sleepy Hollow

Cathy Garro, Sleepy Hollow

Annelise Birrattella, Sleepy Hollow

Gina DeCruz, Albertus Magnus

Clarissa Flores, Albertus Magnus

Crystal Flores, Albertus Magnus

Kassandra Kayser, Albertus Magnus

Brittany Kehoe, Albertus Magnus

Kelly Mastrovito, Pearl River

Colleen Parker, Pearl River

Emily Aristizibal, Pearl River

Keira McMullen, Pearl River

Kari McWalters, Hastings

Maud Reavili, Hastings

Nina Wineburgh, Hastings

Carolyn Veilleux, Irvington

Adrianna Miller, Irvington

Jenna Tramaglini, Irvington

Ali Saraniti, Irvington

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 2:20 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 3, League “B” all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League Player of the Year – Alexandra Rimmer, Rye

League Coach of the Year – Rich Savage, Rye

All-League

Tatiana Saunders, Rye

Lia Bellizzi, Rye

Alexandra Rimmer, Rye

Catherine Greer, Rye

Madeline Chabot, Rye

Carter Talgo, Rye

Regan Marin, Byram Hills

Liza Falk, Byram Hills

Michelle Fuerst, Byam Hills

Kirsten Scavone, Byram Hills

Kristin Hasselgren, Byram Hills

Sarah Stiefvater, Pelham

Laura Davis, Pelham

Juliana Carfora, Pelham

Katie Chapman, Pelham

Emily McMahon, Eastchester

Delia Hughes, Eastchester

Justine DiDonato, Eastchester

Sophie Sylla, Ardsley

Allison Weatherbee, Ardsley

Rachel Hirsch, Edgemont

Becky Wachter, Edgemont

Honorable mention

Stephanie McGowan, Rye

Amanda Benicasa, Rye

Kaelyn Lucas, Rye

Erin McCarty, Rye

Diana Liso, Byram Hills

Lauren Benzie, Byram Hills

Courtney Marin, Byram Hills

Danielle Hoffman, Byram Hills

Casey Shea, Pelham

Kerry Davis, Pelham

Jane Ruocco, Pelham

Carline Stiefvater, Pelham

Shaun O’Hanlon, Eastchester

Marissa Conte, Eastchester

Jen Fields, Ardsley

Lauren Lew, Ardsley

Jessica Rashkovich, Edgemont

Haley Dumke, Edgemont

Alex Lugovina, Edgemont

Alexa Schweitzer, Edgmont

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 2:09 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 3, League “A” all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

League players of the year: Katie Underwood, Briarcliff and Amy Marron, Westlake

League coach of the year: Owen Scully, Briarcliff

All-league

Victoriea Hamilton, Putnam Valley

Jenny Squire, Croton-Harmon

Meghan Reda, Pleasantville

Jenna Fanelli, Pleasantville

Karen Morales, Pleasantville

Tina Elliott, Pleasantville

Theresa Tolan, Kennedy

Katie Underwood, Briarcliff

Liana Cornacchio, Briarcliff

Savina Reid, Briarcliff

Danielle Christiano, Briarcliff

Jane Wallis, Briarcliff

Jenny Rosen, Briarcliff

Briannna Reid, Briarcliff

Katie Weiner, Briarcliff

Maddie Kittay, Briarcliff

Carly Savino, Briarcliff

Amy Marron, Westlake

Kristie Sama, Westlake

Devon Redfern, Westlake

Cecilia Zappa, Westlake

Honorable-mention

Megan Maher, Westlake

Bridge Boccio, Westlake

Nicole Papa, Westlake

Desiree Horecky, Briarcliff

Kelly Wall, Briarcliff

Aly Jaquith, Briarcliff

Jessie Degiovanni, Kennedy

Christina Lee, Kennedy

Molly Brennan, Kennedy

Lindsay Gilfeather, Pleasantville

Geena George, Pleasantville

Melissa Fanelli, Pleasantville

Sharon Cranwell, Putnam Valley

Tricia Sharp, Putnam Valley

Cristina DeFilippis, Croton-Harmon

Julia Ledee, Croton-Harmon

Danie Karlin, Croton-Harmon

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 11:52 am | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 2, League South all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

All-league: Conference 2, League South

League Player of the Year: Kristen Reiche, Lakeland

League Coach of the Year: Erin Tracy, Horace Greeley

All-league

Mary Gray, Nyack

Kate Jones, Nyack

Kathryn Donatelli, Yorktown

Samantha Russo, Yorktown

Gabrielle Lawrence, Yorktown

Daniela Maddaloni, Harrison

Liz Gordon, Harrison

Natalie Wizel, Somers

Michelle Linkletter, Somers

Stephanie Hart, Somers

Ashley Manning Somers

Kristen Reiche, Lakeland

Meghan Tremblay, Lakeland

Deanna Amoia, Tappan Zee

Lauren Narode, Tappan Zee

Kelsey Hills, Greeley

Sydney Rutman, Greeley

Liz Novenstern, Greeley

Alex Steinhauer, Greeley

Yanna Jackson, Greeley

Kristen Keeney, Ossining

Vanessa Henry, Ossining

All-league honorable mention

Emma Loinewski, Tappan Zee

Krita Staropoli, Tappan Zee

Aileen Lennon, Tappan Zee

Natalie Rosen, Greeley,

Samantha Seif, Greeley

Sdney Axelrod, Ossining

Krystine Alvear, Ossining

Amanda Gratz, Ossining

Natalie Finn, Ossining

Caroline Chesterman, Nyack

Kate O’Gorman, Nyack

Taryn Brady, Nyack

Esteffi Gonzales, Harrison

Alyson Donino, Harrison

Michelle Iannacchino, Somers

Melissa Guglielmo, Somers

Kaitlyn Nealon, Somers

Kristina Baldassarri, Lakeland

Alexandria Berrios, Lakeland

Lesley Echevarria, Lakeland

Maggie Natell, Yorktown

Amanda Trendell, Yorktown

Patricia Kaishian, Yorktown

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Girls: Conference 2, League North all-league and all-league honorable mention

November
26

All-league: Conference 2, League North

League Player of the Year: Nicolle Burke – Lourdes

League Co-Coaches of the Year: Paul Smith, John Jay, Jeff Matus, Beacon

Nicole Silenok, John Jay

Zoe Boyd, John Jay

Sarah Bobroff, John Jay

Laura Olson, John Jay

Mike Cucullo, John Jay

Tess Lewis, John Jay

Nicole Burke, Lourdes

Jessica Stec, Lourdes

Christina Posco, Lourds

Emily Carey, Lourdes

Stephanie Savino, Lourdes

Kelly Hanly, Hen Hud

Leanne Benson, Hen Hud

Kayla Mancusi, Hen Hud

Sarah Tubbs, Hen Hud

Kelsey Wise, Fox Lane

Madeline Stein, Fox Lane

Megan Yarusso, Brewster

Sara Sheehan, Beacon

Colleen Pucher, Beacon

Lyanne Barth, Beacon

Madeline McCauley, Panas

All-league honorable mention

Anna Spannaus, Brewster

Taylor Nilsen, Brewster

Ruthie Demetros, Beacon

Casie Rosario, Beacon

Tori Alexander, Beacon

Karen Levy, Beacon

Sam Lamurte, Lourdes

Claire Casaregola, Lourdes

Giovanne Velardo, Lourdes

Alex Kass, John Jay

Lauren Hafkemeyer, John Jay

Fiona Callagy, Hen Hud

Kylie Fitzgerald, Hen Hud

Meghan Jacobs, Hen Hud

Deanna Peterson, Hen Hud

Kerri Russo, Hen Hud

Liz Paese Hen Hud

Michelle Kowalski, Fox Lane

Sarah Gilkes, Fox Lane

Samantha Ricker, Fox Lane

Katie Dexter, Fox Lane

Avery Laird, Fox Lane

Posted by Jeff Gold on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 11:14 am | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Boys: North Salem ends one game short

November
23

About halfway through the season I said North Salem had the look of a state champion. I was wrong by a game. The Tigers made it all the way to the Class C final, where they came up short against Red Creek. It was the first Class C team to beat them.

They didn’t allow a goal in the state playoffs until the last game. Ironically, that may have been their undoing. They admitted afterward that it flustered them to surrender one. Red Creek would add three more. Hey, Red Creek hasn’t won three titles in four years for nothing.

North Salem was also hurt by an inability to finish. It took 28 shots in the state semifinal without connecting on one. Even the two goals they scored in the final could have been more. They got away with it in the semifinal because Fabius-Pompey was playing super conservative and was never a threat to score. That game ended up in penalty kicks, as you can read here. North Salem nailed its first three kicks while Fabius missed its first two. Fabius managed to force a fifth kick, which Dan Loftus nailed for the win.

The photo below is John Roach making a great stop on Fabius’s first kick.

The ride ended the next day. Despite a Mike Cuzzi goal that put them up, Red Creek’s Ryan Fisher knotted the score with a free kick with six minutes left in the first half. Red Creek eventually went up 3-1. Brian Span cut it to 3-2 with eight minutes left but North Salem couldn’t find the equalizer before losing 4-2. You can read Matt Ng’s account here.

Posted by Jake Thomases on Sunday, November 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Boys: Harrison exceeds expectations

November
19

If there’s one thing I learned about Harrison athletes during this playoff run, it’s that they all feel trapped under the shadow of football. Not just soccer either. I’d heard some rumblings in past years but it really came to light over the last few weeks. With each win, someone on Harrison would inevitably mention the program’s ascendance relative to the football program. Even in Coach Loughran’s postgame speech to a crowd of fans, one of the first things he did was explain to the Comsewogue people how good Harrison football was.

It makes sense. Harrison football is one of the greatest programs in Section 1. It’s won 10 sectional titles in 35 years, including five in the last 10 years. Two of those recent titles became state championships. Everyone who’s grown up in Harrison recently is well acquainted with Huskies football. Meanwhile, the rest of the athletic program pales in comparison. Including boys soccer.

So it was with extra pride that Harrison made it all the way to the state final. It was a very good team during the regular season, but regarded as behind Byram, Rye, Keio, Lourdes, and maybe Pearl River in Class A. To personally knock off three of those teams was a big deal. Consider that Rye beat Harrison in the regular season, Keio beat Harrison twice, and Byram was undefeated. After beating them, the Huskies beat Goshen and Owego to get to Oneonta.

Bryan Merlos and Andre Fonseca completely turned it on. Merlos had six goals and Fonseca had five goals and four assists in the playoffs. The defense, led by sweeper Makoto Sano, stepped it up big time. It picked up as many playoff shutouts as it had in the regular season (four).

Defensive midfielder Antonio Britto was huge in the state semifinal against Kenmore East. He shut down 20-goal scorer Casey Sheehan, just as he had shut down the best scorers on Owego and Goshen and especially Keio. Believe me, keeping Kaz Ikenaga off the board is no small thing. I wrote my story, which you can read here, about how Britto had happily sacrificed his offense, which he enjoys, to fill this role.

Merlos scored twice as Harrison advanced.

The final, as most of you know, wasn’t so happy. Harrison lost 4-0, and though the score was not indicative of anything, it was not a pleasant ending.

Seconds before halftime, with the Huskies down 1-0, Fonseca got tangled with an opponent. When he got up another Comsewogue player shoved him. A small skirmish ensued as the refs sent everybody back to their benches. They then issued a red card to Fonseca, ruling that he had kicked the original player as he was getting up, which is why he got pushed. Fonseca vehemently denied a kick, saying that he had just gotten tied up with the guy.

Unfortunately I didn’t see the play and can’t say for sure what happened. Our photographer got a couple photos of the incident. Not sure if you can determine anything but take a look and judge for yourself.

The red card forced Fonseca out of the game, not to be replaced. As Loughran aptly summarized, it’s tough to survive down a man against even an average team. Comsewogue was anything but average, and was already up 1-0. Harrison basically spent the first 20 minutes of the second half defending its own net. It couldn’t hold the dam forever, and gave up three late goals. The Huskies started arguing with the refs and picked up yellow cards. Clearly their focus was lost. Soon the game was too.

Hopefully they’ll be able to shake off that last ugly game and realize what a great feat it was to get where they got. And finally put a trophy next to all those football ones.

Posted by Jake Thomases on Wednesday, November 19th, 2008 at 10:41 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Boys: Bronxville is a first-time champ

November
18

Over the next couple of days I’ll look at each of the three local teams that made the state finals and what happened to them at Oneonta. Where else can I start but Bronxville, which captured the first state championship in school soccer history.

As far as coach Don Lucas is aware, it’s the only state title in school history in ANY sport besides cross country. The football team went to the finals a few years ago but lost.

Bronxville (23-1-1) made it look easy too. In seven playoff games they outscored opponents an incredible 28-2. And that’s with a first-round bye in sectionals where they probably would have won 6-0. One of the goals against came in the final minute against Rye Neck against the backup keeper when they were up 5-0. In the state semi they took a Chenango Forks team that let up two goals in six games and put up four on them.

At least Forks gave the Broncos their first taste of adversity. Forks tied the game at 1-1 in the second half. It was the latest they’d been tied in any postseason game to that point. So how did they respond? Ilya Dubinsky untied it two minutes later. A minute after that Brian Rogers made it 3-1. And within seven minutes of the tie, Chase Tarantino made it 4-1. For a team that wasn’t used to being threatened, they showed a surprising ability in both weekend games to respond to adversity. You can read Matt’s account of the semifinal here.

Bronxville was a better team than Forks, no question. I’m not sure you can definitely say the same about East Aurora, its undefeated (23-0) finals foe. East Aurora had a slight possession edge. Over the first 20 minutes it was a big edge. And yet it was Bronxville that went up. East Aurora’s attempted clear hit Rogers in the chest and bounded in the other direction. It couldn’t have been a better bounce for Rogers, who was the only one in the area. Allowed to line up a shot, the poor keeper had no chance.

East Aurora started pushing up late to get the tying score. They were keeping the ball well and I thought they might get a good shot or two off. But suddenly Rogers, the only Bronco not playing D, got a pass on a counterattack and was gone. East Aurora had one defender that was as fast as him; however that was not the kid who was chasing him (futiley). Once again Rogers was solo against the keeper. You don’t need me to tell you what happened.

Players piled on each other. Rogers and Leighton Welch, the other captain, rolled on the ground with joy. There was still a minute left but this one was over. You can read my full account here

Posted by Jake Thomases on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 at 7:12 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Boys: Looking back at Oneonta

November
18

Oneonta and the Soccer Hall of Fame is in everyone’s rear view mirror. The winners are still celebrating in their corners of New York State. The losers are wondering what might have been with a break or two. Hopefully in a few days (maybe weeks, for some) even the kids who came up short will realize what a unique experience it was to make the trip, to be among the chosen few out of 700 New York schools.

And I don’t think I’m saying anything controversial when I say Section 1 was the best overall section in the state. We had more teams in Oneonta (4) than anyone else and more in the finals (3) than anyone else. Only Section 11, which is Suffolk County, can make an argument, because it had two champions. The sections were 1-1 in head-to-heads, with North Salem beating Southold in the Class C quarterfinals and Comsewogue beating Harrison in the Class A finals.

Oneonta was hopping this weekend (relative to Oneonta), and not just because of the games. Apparently it was something called “Soggy weekend” at SUNY Oneonta. Don’t ask me what it means. I just got the info from a friend who used to go there. Every hotel was booked. Fellow reporter Matt Ng and I were lucky to get a room at a sketchy little inn outside of town. Within three minutes of arriving we found out that A) Our reservation for two rooms would not be honored, B) The price that was quoted would not be honored, and C) The wireless internet that was promised didn’t actually exist. Fun.

So, sorry for the lack of blogging over the weekend. We did game updates as best we could through Matt’s Blackberry. Thanks to Matt for typing all that in his tiny little buttons.

Temperatures were warm on the first day, making for a surprisingly pleasant Saturday in upstate New York. Rain would come down suddenly at times but only lasted a couple minutes. Sunday was worse, as the temperature dropped 20 degrees. Suddenly the wind was biting. Plenty of players wore winter hats, which was too bad because it covered their amusing haircuts. I swear, every soccer team shows its solidarity through haircuts. The set of “The Road Warrior” didn’t have this many mohawks.

After every game they brought the teams into the Hall of Fame for a ceremony where the players got to pose on a balcony before friends and family. It was a nice setup. It brought a sense of closure for everybody.

Posted by Jake Thomases on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 at 6:18 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Boys: All-section players

November
17

Here is the complete list of all-section, all-section honorable mention, and all-league, as well as league coaches of the year. League MVPs and conference coaches of the year won’t be announced until the December 4th all-section dinner.

Conference I League A

ALL-SECTION

Adam Rose, Scarsdale
Santiago Rigby, Scarsdale
Hiroki Kobayashi, Scarsdale
Arturo Barrajas, New Rochelle
Francesca Sandoval, New Rochelle
JP Arenas, White Plains
Guillermo Demestral, White Plains
Brad Jacobson, Mamaroneck

ALL-SECTION HONORABLE MENTION

Mike Corenthal, Mamaroneck
Doug Weinrib, Mamaroneck
Daniel Greenburg, Scarsdale
Greg Wizeman, Scarsdale
Dean Perfetti, Scarsdale
Ronald Bontilla, White Plains
Andre Young, White Plains
Juan Nunez, New Rochelle
John Valencia, New Rochelle

ALL-LEAGUE

Lukas Ault, Mamaroneck
Luis Ayala, New Rochelle
Ozzie Torres, White Plains
Bryant Urbina, White Plains
Hervoje Glavan , Mamaroneck

League Coach of the Year:
Joseph Cipriano, Scarsdale

Read more of this entry »

Posted by Jake Thomases on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 6:37 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Vote for gameface!

November
17

Take a moment and head over to our Gameday Central blog and vote for this week’s best game face.

Click right here.

State champion Alex Rimmer of Rye is one of the candidates.

Posted by Jeff Gold on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 3:14 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Wrap-up poll

November
17

Three local soccer teams are proud owners of a state championship. Which do you think had the most impressive playoff run? Vote on the right.

Posted by Jake Thomases on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 12:55 am | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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Boys: Bronxville wins, North Salem and Harrison fall

November
16

Well, I just polished off my final story of the day and I’m about to make the long drive from Oneonta to Queens. It’s been a busy weekend here at the Soccer Hall of Fame. Twenty of the best teams in the state, fifteen games. And, ultimately, five champions.

I was hoping for a banner year for Section 1 with four teams making the trip. Never has the section had more than two champs in one year. Westchester’s never had more than one team. And it still doesn’t.

Only Bronxville got out of Oneonta alive. Harrison, Fishkill, and North Salem all came close but showed why it’s so hard to go all the way. There are some darn good teams out there. All four Section 1 clubs did their towns proud with the effort they showed.

I’m going to hit the road now so I can get out of this Holiday Inn bar (it’s the only place that has internet). Tonight or tomorrow I’ll be back with more breakdowns of each team’s road to the finals. If you have any final thoughts on what happened this weekend, leave them here.

Posted by Jake Thomases on Sunday, November 16th, 2008 at 8:19 pm | del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help
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While he scouts for the next Pele, Jake Thomases brings you news from soccer fields throughout the Lower Hudson Valley.

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ThomasesJake Thomases has covered baseball, hockey, girls basketball, and girls soccer for the Journal News since arriving in 2003, as well as working the recreation beat. He previously interned at The Poughkeepsie Journal during his senior year at Vassar College, where he was a political science major. A love of sports and a fear of kissing babies turned him from politics to sports journalism. READ MORE

Jeff GoldJeff Gold reached the the soccer pinnacle when he was 7 years old. As the star of the Irvington Hurricanes, he led his team to a 13-0-2 record, scoring a goal in every game. Jeff didn't improve much and all of the others did. He only scored two goals as a varsity player, and one time, he was called Josh, so only one goal was official. Jeff worked at The Journal News for a year after graduating from Colgate University. He left for three years to work at Newsday, and returned to The Journal News in 2007. READ MORE

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