Bailey Double! Byram Hills Senior Strutted Stuff, Named League MVP in Title Season

By Ray Gallagher
Examiner Sports Editor
@Directrays

There were some surprises on the Section 1 soccer circuit and then there were some of the usual suspects doing their thing in what was anything but a normal 2020 campaign. With the state tournament cancelled on account of COVID-19 restrictions, Section 1 broke the section up into six regional sub-tournaments, crowning four large school champions and two small school divisions. It wasn’t ideal, but we got to the finish line with some form of normalcy that our student athletes richly deserved.

LEAGUE II-C

One of those champions was Putnam-Northern Westchester small school regional titlists BYRAM HILLS, which championed the section for the seventh time in Coach Matt Allen’s 20 years along the tradition-rich Bobcat sideline. In a year when Class A soccer was arguably as strong as Class AA, the top-seeded Class A Bobcats (9-0-1) went through the small school field like water through a hose, outscoring their playoff foes — Hen Hud (5-1), Peekskill (6-0) and Panas (4-0) — by a combined 15-1 count. In fact, Byram outscored its 10 opponents 38-3 for the year, despite a COVID-induced 16-day quarantine and won the League II-C title, a league that produced two regional titilists (John Jay CR).

All-Section Bobcat senior Bailey Goldstein (8G, 12A) scored at least one point in every game and was voted the II-C Player of the Year while junior teammate Ross Eagle (12G, 4A) gained an All-Section nod and will lead the unit’s march into 2021. Eagle showed his proficiency to tickle twine when he bagged a hat trick in the 5-1 quarterfinal win over Hen Hud. Senior D Kalden Harp, the Byram Hills Athlete of the Season, and junior F Nico Bisgaier (5G, 13A) secured All-Section HM nods while senior G Aidan Cogan was named to the All-League team.

“We’re so incredibly thankful to the Byram Hills administration for allowing us to play and supporting us through the season,” said Bobcat Coach Matt Allen, who sits just five wins shy of 300 for his career (295-68-28). “Despite a 16-day layoff due to a Covid quarantine, our athletic department worked incredibly hard to get us back on the field and on track to play the remainder of our schedule. The boys responded in kind, playing five games after the quarantine, outsourcing our opponents 25-1 in those five games. More importantly, we played the season with the heavy hearts for Christy Saltstein, who passed away over the summer, and the boys played with the same heart and resilience that her family has shown. It was an incredible year for our league as well. So proud to be a part of a new league that performed so well in the postseason, featuring two champions and two semifinalists.”

HORACE GREELEY (10-4), which came on strong down the stretch, was one of those semifinalists, but the fourth-seeded Quakers were knocked off by No.1 CARMEL, 2-1, in OT in the Putnam-Northern Westchester large school regional semis after eliminating defending Section 1 Class AA champion OSSINING in the opening round. Greeley seniors Owen Parsons, the backbone of the defense, and fiery M Zach Eichenberg, were each awarded an All-Section nod while Bennett Shropshire earned All-Section HM. Senior M Justin Miller was named All-League.

LEAGUE I-A

Class AA CARMEL did some big-time damage in the Putnam-Northern Westchester large school tournament, reaching the finals before falling to John Jay CR in overtime on a golden goal. The top-seeded Rams (10-1) went undefeated in the regular season before winning two playoff games for what was believed to be the first time in school history (not including outbrackets). Additionally, the Rams went undefeated in League I-A, perennially one of the toughest leagues in the state.

The Rams were rewarded with three All-Section awards, including junior D Dwyant Suazo, among the most gifted players in the section, senior D AJ Patino (4G, 2A) and senior M Simon Douglas (6G, 2A).

Carmel also notched three All-League nods in junior M Tayte Wong, senior M JD Vargas and sophomore G Joe Galeano under League I-A Coach of the Year Vasiliy Shevelchinsky.

Outside mid Jack Aurteri (3G, 4A) triggered a lot of runs for a balanced attack.

“We did not have a consistent striker to rely on, so it was a collaborative team effort from everyone,” the coach said. “We had nine different goal scorers. We did not concede many goals, thanks in large part to the back line of AJ Patino, Dwyant Suazo, Jack Curtis and Nico Calvelli.

“We are grateful to Section 1, and our school district for giving us the opportunity to have a season with everything that is still going on,” Shevelchinsky added. “Not everyone was as fortunate. We had multiple school closures but the players adjusted to the new difficult circumstances and really made the most of each situation. We will be graduating 12 seniors. All of them were an integral part of our success. They helped solidify the culture for our program. The boys made sacrifices, bought all in, and played for each other. Our goal next season will be to maintain the level of success we had and keep growing. We may have caught a few people by surprise this season but everyone will be ready next year.”

No. 7 MAHOPAC (2-8-1) saw its season end in an opening-round loss to Yorktown. Indian senior Nick Biagini (8G) was the finisher and procured All-Section honors after leading the club in scoring while senior M Mario Bunjaj (2G, 6A), a playmaker, was All-Section HM. Mahopac seniors Marco Chousa and Joey Colatruglio were each named All-League.

““All of our seniors from Mario Bunjaj, Nick Biagini, Joe Colatruglio, Dimas Augustin-Mendez, Brian Merlino, and Vinny Rodriguez were great to have this year,” Coach Chris Mulholland said.

LEAGUE II-D

Second-seeded Class A YORKTOWN (10-1-1) had its undefeated season come to a screeching halt in a semifinal PK loss to John Jay CR, thus ending one of the finest regular seasons in program history. Coach Ed Polchinsk’s Huskers had the better of the run against the Wolves, but one key flip of the field turned into a transitional nightmare that ended Yorktown’s season but didn’t prevent the Huskers from getting four players named All-Section, including seniors G Dylan “D-Lo” Lopez and M Marco Landocino, plus juniors M George Popovic (11G, 6A) and D Mason Murphy. Senior D Teddy Kozera was named All-Section HM while All-League honors went to seniors Chris Judge (3G, 7A) and defenders Tony Granitto (4G, 3A) and Ruslan Semenko. All in all, it was a solid season for a Husker program that maintained its rep in Section 1.

“Next year we will be looking to remain highly competitive,” Yorktown Assistant Coach Justin Huff said. “We will be returning some key guys in important spots. Peter Tinaj, who we unfortunately lost to injury this year, will be looking to cause havoc up top with George Popovic. Mason Murphy and Jack Pryblyski will likely get a bump into the midfield as we usher in a new set of underclassmen like Mike Duffy, Ryan Tomeny and Jake Levine.

“Class A will be loaded as it seems to be every year,” he added, “but I know we’ll be right in the thick of things when it matters. If we can maintain our focus and drive leading up to and during the season I know we’ll be very successful. As a program we will never stop striving to improve ourselves.”

Class A SOMERS went down sooner than anyone expected when Coach Brian Lanzetta’s third-seeded Tuskers (8-3) were knocked off by No.6 John Jay in the opening round of the tournament. Observers of Section 1 soccer kept waiting for Somers to peak in time for the playoffs, but scoring goals proved to be a bigger problem than expected and the Tuskers never rose to their lofty pre-season expectations.

Led by the League II-D Player of the Year, senior D Derek Marques, the Tusker defense was tough to beat. Marques was rated among the most skilled players in the section. All-Section senior F Zane Bronson (6G, 6A) led the attack along with All-Section HM junior Bennett Leitner (8G, 2A), who will return next season with All-League juniors mids Daniel D’Ippolito (6G, 7A) and Michael Micceri.

No.3 WALTER PANAS (7-4-2) had one of its finest seasons in recent memory under Coach Peter Pryschlak, doing so behind a superb finish from two-time All-Section senior F Tristan Phillips (10G, 4A). A dynamic finisher throughout his career, Phillips (43G, 10A for his career) teamed with All-League junior M Kyle Arraiano (6G, 1A) to form a potent scoring combo. Historically, Phillips will go down among the top Panther playmakers. Senior G Kyle Rizzo, named All-Section HM, was the backbone of the defense with over 100 saves and two shutouts, while junior M Eddie Chicaiza was named All-League.

“Panas Soccer has accomplished a lot this season, some things that have never been done,” Coach P said. “The boys were able to host and win a home regional game and make it to the regional finals. We don’t think that’s ever been done. We won seven games and we’re not sure when the last time Panas has won that many games.”

“Kyle Arraiano and Eddie Chicaiza will be back with a vengeance next year after getting a taste,” the coach added. “Junior defensive midfielder Elvin Meija and sophomore center back Jackson DiLorenzo will be back to anchor the squad. We are happy to have played this season under the circumstances. We are excited to bring back 11 returners from this year’s successful squad. They boys played with passion, battled adversity, and helped make Panas a soccer school.”

No.5 LAKELAND (6-6-1) had an early, first-round exit from the tournament after a 3-0 loss to No.4 PEEKSKILL. Hornet senior wing Antonio Gerbasi (5G, 4A), who will move on to SUNY Potsdam, was named All-Section HM while senior D Austin Bergen and sophomore M Derek Jaramillo were tabbed as All-League choices. Hornet Coach Tim Hourahan is pinning the future of this prideful program on Jaramillo’s back and appreciated his seniors commitment to the trade.

“Antonio was our most improved player and a late bloomer who will do really well in the SUNY conference for four years, and Austin has been a three-year starter in the program, who has been a great leader,” he said. “Derek returned to us after playing academy his freshman year and may have been the most consistent player we had this fall.”

The sophomore class, including All-League HM Sonny Karaqi (6G, 4A), is strong.

“It’s been a few years since we were in the mix after winning four-straight league titles from 2013-2016 over Somers and Yorktown,” Hourahan concluded. “But those two teams have run the league the last four years and been at the top of the table in all of class A as well. We really do like our younger guys that are coming back next season. We return our entire offense and have some real technical players in this group. We will lean on this young core over the next two years and hope that this group will be the ones to bring us back towards the top of our league and in our section, which is an absolute beast now.”

BREWSTER (1-7) had a rough season and was quarantined for the playoffs but not before senior M Carlos Palma and sophomore M Matteo Gulla were rewarded as All-Leaguers. The Bears’ record is not indicative of how tough they played.

“Like every other team, we were hit very hard by Covid and injuries,” Bears Coach Jerry Frieri said. “Our schedule was very top heavy, with more than half the league games against number one Yorktown and the number two Somers. We were no pushover and the team culture was completely overturned.”

A highlight of the season was Brewster’s 2-1 win at John Jay CR. The team is expected to continue improving through a sustained commitment to its rebuilding plans.

LEAGUE II-E

Dutchess County champion Beacon took home top hoors in the league, including League MVP Warren Banks, but fourth-seeded PEEKSKILL (7-6) had its best season in recent memory before falling in the Putnam-Northern Westchester small school regional semis to Byram Hills. The playoff win over Lakeland was the biggest win in close to a decade. Junior D Kevin Mendez received an All-Section nod while leading Coach Jonathan Iasillo’s. Junior M Erick Guinansaca was named All-Section HM and will pair with Mendez as the top returnees next season. All-League juniors Johnny Morocho and Alex Sapatanga return up top to fuel further promise among the rising Red Devils.

No.8 HEN HUD knocked off No.9 CROTON in the opening round but were bounced from the tournament by Byram Hills. Senior M Gio Cardona earned an All-Section HM nod for the Sailors while senior D Luke O’Neil was named All-League.

LEAGUE III-A

PLEASANTVILLE (10-3-1 overall, 6-2-1) came out on top of the league under league Coach of the Year Beau Morki and League MVP Mike Saldana (4G, 2A), but failed in its quest for a regional title when the third-seeded Panthers were ousted by No.1 Bronxville in the Southern Westchester small school finals.

Saldana will be missed but the Panthers have plenty in reserve as they continue to build a solid, respected soccer program.

“Mike was a great one-on-one defender for us,” P’Ville Assistant Coach Jim Campbell said. “Along with Connor Whynott, he solidified our back four and that was awesome.”

Panther senior M Patrick Panek (3G, 6A) drew up an All-Section campaign playing mostly in a defensive mid position.

“Patrick was our leader on and off the field, he made everyone around him better,” Coach Campbell said.

Senior F Mike Collins (5G, 1A) earned All-Section HM for the Panthers. “Mike was a relentless attacker, super fast. He gave defenses fits all year,” Campbell said.

Seniors, including versatile Matt Moses, Arjun ‘Mr. Clutch’ Singh (4G, 3A) and Whynott, all earned All-League, as did sophomore F Will Peacock (7G, 1A), who played like a seasoned senior since Day 1. So did sophomores Shubhro Biswas (CB) and G Adam Panek, according to Campbell.

“Coach Morki has a good feeling about the future of our defense,” Campbell said.

No.6 BRIARCLIFF (4-5-2) was knocked out of the Putnam-Northern Westchester small school regional by Panas in the opening round. Junior M Tyler Cho did his part to continue the Bears’ strong tradition by notching an All-Section nod. Senior G Jacob Zednik delivered an All-Section HM season between the pipes while senior F Luca Vargish and junior F Nico Santucci were tabbed All-League.

WESTLAKE (5-6 overall, 4-3 league) has a ton to look forward to in 2021 with four underclassmen receiving individual postseason accolades, joining All-Section senior D Josh Corona (2G), the backbone of the Wildcat defense.

Junior F Gianluca Ruggiero (6G) dialed up an All-Section season while junior G Francesco Michilli was All-Section HM. Juniors, F Martin Sunjic (2G) and D Tommy Giaccone, were named All-League after No.8 Westlake knocked off No.9 Hastings to win its first playoff game in a decade. The season ended in a loss to eventual Southern Westchester small school champion Bronxville.

“We are incredibly grateful to have played through 2020 and our program was lucky to have such strong senior leadership during a difficult and obstacle-filled season,” Westlake boss Joe Callagy said. “The program has made some notable strides forward despite the circumstances, including our first playoff victory in 10 years.”

Key departures include Corona, Connor Cronin and Paul Julian but the cupboard will be restocked with the likes of the aforementioned juniors, plus G Francesco Michilli and M Isaiah Ortiz.

“We’re looking forward to a 2021 team that will have 18 returning players, including eight frequent starters, six of whom have been varsity players since 10th grade.”

No.6 VALHALLA (5-5) advanced to the second round after knocking off Tuckahoe in the Southern Westchester small school regional but were knocked off in the quarters by Pleasantville. Viking senior M Jason Otiniano was named All-Section while junior D Thomas Casale was All-Section HM and senior G Jonah Strupinsky was All-League.

LEAGUE I-D

No.2 WHITE PLAINS (7-1-3) dominated league play and took home top honors behind the play of All-Section senior M Eric Ramirez, the league MVP. The Tigers didn’t stop there as Coach Mike Lambert, the league Coach of the Year, guided the Tigers to the Southern Westchester large school regional finals before losing to Mamaroneck in the title tilt.

Senior CB Victor Flores will depart with All-Section honors but All-Section sophomore Jair Cano is expected to lead the 2021 squad, along with All-League soph Gael Baraldi.

Seniors D Jonathan Calpeno and CM Ruben Collazos were both named All-Section HM while seniors Alan Meneses and Mario Martinez-Jiminez locked up All-League honors.

“This senior class faced a season like no other,” Coach Lambert said. “Despite that, they managed to earn a league championship for their school. They had a goal and a job and were successful at both. I’m proud of them. They have set the bar pretty high for future years.”

Defending Class AA champion No.5 OSSINING (6-7) was eliminated at No.4 GREELEY in the opening round of the Putnam-Northern Westchester large school tournament but not before seniors Malcolm Phillips and Yohance Douglas were rewarded with All-Section honors. Senior wing Kevon Evans was named All-Section HM while senior Luis Castillo was All-League for a Pride team that struggled to score goals this season after an historical 2019 campaign that saw them capture the city by storm.

FOX LANE (0-10-2) went winless this fall but saw senior G Charles Della Penna earn All-Section HM honors and senior CM Ben Belfiglio and junior Luis Diaz Giron earn All-League.

LEAGUE III-D

North Salem took home top honors in the league, but behind a strong effort from All-League freshman G Ronan Kiter, No.7 HALDANE eliminated No.10 PUTNAM VALLEY, 3-2, to snag bragging rights between the bordering towns and win its first playoff game in five years. Haldane was then knocked off by North Salem in the Putnam-Northern Westchester small school quarterfinals. Senior M Noah Elias earned an All-Section and senior D Andrew Silhavy was All-Section HM nod for the Blue Devils (4-9) while senior D David Ordonez was All-Section for the Tigers (2-11) and senior G James Salvia was All-Section HM.

Freshman M Liam Stapleton looks like a player CROTON-HARMON can build around after the Tigers (2-10) had a down season. Senior D Patrick Fleming earned All-League for the Tigers. PV’s Christian Moreno and Haldane’s senior D John Dwyer and freshman Matt Nachamkin were also named All-League.