On August 31st, the boy’s varsity soccer team kicked off the 2023 campaign against the Stanners of Archbishop Molloy, on Cy Donnelly Field. Last year, the Friars faced Molloy in mid-October for their 12th game of the season, where they earned a resounding 4-1 victory.
This time around, each team’s expectation was to open up their season with a win, and to do so with a plethora of changes made to the rosters that had respective appearances in the 2022 state tournament last November.
Saint Anthony’s went into this match with ample preparation, playing two scrimmages in the two days leading up to the bout. The Friars saw out a 2-1 win over Christ the King and a 3-2 victory over perennial state powerhouse Yorktown. With these two solid wins, the coaches and fans got their first glimpses into the talent of one of the deepest rosters in New York State.
This new pool of players in the Saint Anthony’s varsity program was put on full display in this opening match starting lineup, with the inclusions of a brand new full-back duo in Nicholas Galindo (Jr., RB) and Andrew Wicik (Jr., LB), a new set of wingers in Christian Kelly (Jr., RW) and Nelson Beausoleil (Jr., LW), and a new face between the sticks in Cole Lawrence (So., GK). Those are only the new members of the starting lineup, while a strong supporting cast would be introduced throughout the game
It was finally time for kick off, and after a handful of minutes feeling out the Stanners’ approach, Coach Corrao’s side got right into their groove.
Through incredible work to stretch out the Molloy midfield in possession, several chances were generated down the left side of the pitch, with the duo of newcomers Wicik, and Beausoleil proving very effective at creating good looks. Several close chances never came to fruition including a headed attempt from Beausoleil that glanced just wide.
Then in the 23rd minute, a quick string of passes through the midfield saw captain John Oualaalou (Sr., CM) find himself in behind the defense before slipping a strike under the keeper’s legs and putting the Friars up 1-0.
The half closed with the same scoreline, as Molloy was doing everything in their power to keep this game from getting out of reach.
The second half got into full swing and Coach Corrao made some exceptional changes to keep the game under control; the additions of Carlo Maricevic (Sr., CM), Vincent Dentrone (Sr., LW), and Jamison Draddy (Sr., RW) did wonders for the Friars especially when it came to pressing and winning the ball back.
Those three, as well as some exceptional work in the high block by the defense, enabled Saint Anthony’s to get back in the driver’s seat with full momentum. A phenomenal hustle play by Christian Kelly late in the half led to him being swiped down and earning the team a penalty kick, setting up captain Joe Joannou (Sr., CB) to convert from 12 yards out.
The game ended 2-0, to Saint Anthony’s, and despite it being closer of a game than the Friars likely hoped for, they worked out a solid victory against a much more than solid side. The match was going to be hard fought no matter the ending score, and it had to have been great for the coaches to see the grit of such a young rotation; at many points in the second half, Saint Anthony’s was controlling the game with all but two seniors out on the field.
Before they kick off their CHSAA campaign at St. John the Baptist (9/7), the Friars next game will be back out on CY Donnelly Field where they match up against another non-league opponent, Patchogue-Medford, on Tuesday the 5th.
Eamon Bevan is a Senior writer in his fourth year working for Scoreboard at St. Anthony’s High School. Is involved in several clubs and ministries.
