The Boys Varsity Soccer season wrapped up on Nov. 13th, following an underwhelming end in the state final to an otherwise unforgettable campaign; but, it’s key for Friar fans to not forget what got their boys to that closing match. 84 days, 20 games, 17 wins, and nearly 2000 total minutes were capped off with some remarkable silverware, making this one of the most memorable seasons for everyone involved.
In November of last year, players from the class of 2023 watched on as their team was handed a 1-0 loss in double overtime of the league final. Having not been able to execute with one of the program’s most talented sides ever, many returning members were left with a fire in their chests and a sour taste in their mouths. As the members of the 2022 side began to train over the offseason, the resonating feeling furthered the drive to capitalize on this year’s seniors’ last opportunity to capture the CHSAA title.
In late August, Head Coach Corrao’s roster consisted of 31 players: 12 seniors, 17 juniors, and 2 sophomores. It was in that summer heat of tryouts and practices that this group began to mesh, and as they battled for spots, an unlikely and iconic team identity began to form.
The 2022 campaign opened with a 3-3 draw in a scrimmage against Fairfield Prep, leaving this newly formed team inspired to prove themselves, knowing that anything but a win was below the standard they sought to establish. In the league opener, they followed through on that anger with a well-played 5-1 win over Kellenberg, capped off by a Zachary Tanner (#16, 2023) double, and some great celebrations with the team photographer.
After that first league victory and win of the season, the Friars absolutely refused to look back. As the momentum built, they encountered their first hurdle at the Gold Star Stadium of Chaminade High School. In what went down as one of the gutsiest and most emotional games of the season. Tanner scored just before the half, with players and coaches alike letting out all sorts of joy that they never got to the prior November. Following a quick succession of Chaminade goals from set pieces, Tanner finished off a peach of a ball from Colin Johnston to claw the Friars back into a well deserved point as well as finishing off a brace of his own.
Not only did that game’s performance inspire the Friars, but so did the merchandise. Just before the game, the players were presented with white training jerseys, inscribed with a bold ‘IGNITE’. For the rest of the season, that phrase would be iconically repeated by fan favorite John Miller (#30, 2024); whether in the bus or at the start of a half, he’d remind everyone to listen to what the shirt said. It was only fitting that following that draw, the Friars would, over the next 37 days, go 11-0.
In the days the team spent hard at work to see themselves to that record, they not only found out how they beat the teams they did, but why. It was fitting that a team that would be disdained by away opponents, no matter where they played, found that out in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
At the 2022 Pingry College Showcase, the Friars were invited to match up against some of the most elite talent in the entire nation. They would face the nation’s 26th ranked Pingry School, headed by the human record book, Miller Bugliari, in his 62nd year a manager for the team, and the NJ state-champions to be in #9 Seton Hall Prep, led by uber-athletic striker Eddie Krubsky, who had stacked up 12 goals in 9 games. The Friars were more nervous than ever, but they knew what a win would mean, and would not be silenced.
In one of the most dominant displays this team would muster all season, the Friars would close out a 3-0 lead 30’ minutes in for a 4-1 statement victory against the Big Blue. Most notably, the Friars fully locked in on the style which would push them forward throughout the remainder of the season, the simplicity of playing ‘loose’. The dynamic midfield trio of Oualaalou (#10, 2024), Aniceto (#6, 2024), and Nielsen (#8, 2023) played their best game yet as a unit and served as the catalyst for a dominance in possession by the Friars, as well as nearly all of their goals.
The next morning, the team got up ready to play; but first, suited up for 9:30 mass. Following what Coach Corrao pointed out often as the most important preparation they’d done all season, they took on the Pirates of Seton Hall Prep. Having played an electric game the day before, many starters were very much out of it; even more concerning, they would play without center-back Justin Alves (#24, 2023) and right-back Matt Lourenco (#4, 2023). As many of the players and staff would soon find out, this would be of no issue thanks to the versatility of left-winger Kris Godoy (#22, 2024), as well as a massive leap in responsibility and accountability for Sophomore defender Nick Ferrara (#15, 2025).
Sensational play by Godoy, Thorsen (#7, 2023), and Tanner pushed the Friars through a full 90, topped off with a 40th minute tap in from Thorsen, put on a silver platter off the head of Dean Muratore (#23, 2024). As the clock ran out, the Friar starters celebrated this more than anything they had before; as in their high school soccer careers, no active player had faced a New Jersey team without a win. The trip paid off, and it was sweeter than anything; better yet, they could hold onto that feeling for as long as they wanted if they continued to play the way they did there.
Another massive takeaway from this trip was the elevation of the team’s ‘Next Man Up’ mentality, with the physical Will Aufiero (#3, 2023) and versatile Kyle D’Amico (#19, 2024) both closing out against Seton Hall Prep. This philosophy began just after the season started, in the first match against Holy Trinity. Leading 1-0 against the Titans, the coaching staff turned for a spark off of the bench from Cian Llerena; less than thirty seconds and ten touches later, he had a goal, and by the end of the half, he had two. Many other times throughout the season, players who spent time out of the rotation stepped up in big ways in big games. One notable time was from forward Vincent Dentrone (#17, 2024), who put on a terrific all around display against St. John’s, being denied a goal twice by the woodwork.
As the season drew to a close, many of the senior members of the team had to face the fact of how little time they had left as Friar soccer players. Every single home game, both players and parents alike heard just how loud the boys’ renditions of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ would get. This feeling would be capped off in a dominant 4-1 Senior Night victory vs. St. John’s before the Friars would defend their home field to a goalless stalemate against Chaminade to round out the regular season.
Tied on points with the Flyers in the league table, St. Anthony’s came out on the favorable side of a 50/50 and would go into the playoffs as the number one seed. They met Kellenberg on Tuesday the 2nd, and with the entire season on the line, an unlikely hero stepped up big time in senior right-back Matt Lourenco. Lourenco was the only member of the starting 11 that night to have not scored yet apart from the keeper, but after Tanner was on restricted minutes to preserve his health, he took the opportunity to step up into the right-wing with open arms. After nearly bagging a few from far range early on in the affair, he beat the first half’s buzzer on a header, received from a John Oualaalou corner taken with 6 seconds left on the clock. Not even five minutes into second half play, Lourenco rocketed a near post effort through the arms of the Firebirds’ keeper, setting a 2-0 score that would hold until time expired.
After the semifinal was highlighted by individual performances, St. Anthony’s would need everyone to step up more than ever for the fiercest rivalry in Long Island sports. On November 5th at Mitchell Field, members of two top soccer programs in the nation would face off, and decide whether Chaminade would three-peat, or if St. Anthony’s would bring a long-overdue championship back to Huntington.
Friar and Flyer fans alike broke out cowbells, air horns, vuvuzelas, and conch shells, seeking to inspire their team to victory. Friar parents and players would get a pleasant surprise regarding who the Friar captains would be for this all-important affair. The season-long battle for captain positions was revealed when Coach Corrao called for the entire starting lineup to stand together for a simple coin toss. In the end, this team that was morally built around playing for each other would stand together, every player a captain to the next, ready to fight for everything.
The crowd erupted as the game‘s opening whistle blew, followed by several “Ignite!” chants from the Friar bench. After nearly 40 whole minutes of play, no one was able to cash in, but after several chances from both sides, the Friars finally capitalized on a dangerous opportunity to finally get a leg up in the 39th minute. Following a throw-in from Oualaalou, Colin Johnston (#5, 2023) rifled a cross directly to the feet of Tanner twelve feet from the goalmouth, who after weaving around a pair of Flyer defenders, slotted the ball into the lower corner.
The Friars led 1-0 going into the second half, and now it was a tactical matter easier said than done: don’t let up, and you’re champions. As they sought to do just that, sensational performances came from the now right-back Godoy, who shut down all play on his side of the field, goalkeeper Declan Whitfield (#99, 2025), cleaned up all balls in the box which Chaminade aimed for, and most notably Joseph Joannou. Joannou let absolutely nothing past him, and put everything on the line to make sure it stayed that way. This was clear following the Flyers’ first big opportunity of the half, which he stopped with a diving block on his thigh to prevent a wide open shot from inside the six yard box.
This defensive masterclass would prove to be enough, as when the final whistle sounded, the Friar bench stormed the field, embracing their teammates as undefeated league champions, with no one left to silence them now Justin Alves hoisted up the championship plaque. Not having seen a championship at their beloved school since their freshman year, the senior class of Friars was overjoyed to see how proud the crowd, headed by Brother David front and center, were of this feat. Having received his first plaque since 2019, Coach Corrao led an inspired and emotional team huddle back to the bus, which was now filled with gleeful ecstasy, players began to sing their favorite song by Gerry and the Peacemakers, now on top of the world, and not walking alone.
Eamon Bevan is a Junior writer in his third year working for Scoreboard at St. Anthony’s High School. He is a member of the Varsity Soccer team and is involved in several clubs and ministries.
