By The TimesLedger
Danny Torres Sr. GK St. Francis Prep
When Terriers head coach Franco Purificato heard that Torres tore the ACL in his right knee last March, he thought his talented center midfielder was done. But after a 1-3 start Torres volunteered to play goal and the decision turned around what was looking to be a bleak year. He finished with four shutouts and while some Division I schools are shying away because of his knee, several Division III schools are very interested.
Andrew Isopo Sr. Def. Holy Cross
Holy Cross has always been known for its talented midfielders and flashy scorers, but the backbone of many of Paul Gilvary’s championship teams has been a quiet and underrated defense and Isopo is another in a long line of solid defenders. At 6-foot-1, the senior fullback was the tallest player on the Knights roster and owned any ball in the air. He was also one of Gilvary’s smartest players, seldom making a mistake in the back.
Mack Sickewski Sr. Def. Christ the King
Sickewski anchored the defense for Christ the King, a team that finished 7-5-1 and lost to eventual CHSAA ‘B’ city champions St. John’s Prep, 2-1 in the semifinals. Royals coach Steve Karaduzovic calls the hard working Sickewski, “the heart and soul, the iron man of the team.” SUNY-New Paltz and Bryant College are in the running for Sickewski’s services.
Keith Hahn Sr. Fwd/Def. Archbishop Molloy
A broken fibula would sideline most soccer players for the season, but not Hahn. After scoring 15 goals as a forward, Hahn broke the fibula in his right leg late in the season, but returned as a defender for the state semifinals and finals. Hahn, who is also the starting centerfielder on the Stanners baseball team, has drawn interest from the University of Massachusetts, Manhattanville, RPI and the University of Scranton.
Tamer Mohamed Jr. Mid. Holy Cross
Plain and simple, Mohamed was one of the most dominating midfielders in the CHSAA last year. And the bad news for opponents, he’s back for his senior year next season. At 6-foot, 145-pounds, Mohamed is the total package. He has the height to win balls in the air, the speed and technical skill to create open space and the raw talent to simply take over the game. If he stays on course, Mohamed can go to any college he wants next year.
Chris Megaloudis Sr. Mid. Monsignor McClancy
Megaloudis had big shoes to fill when he entered McClancy four years ago, following in his brother Michael’s footsteps. Four years and 80 goals later Megaloudis has forged his own legacy. Megaloudis, who is being courted by numerous Division I colleges, isn’t just a goal scorer, he is a great passer and is extremely strong on the ball.
Rolando Rojas Sr. Mid. St. Francis Prep
With fellow center midfielder Torres in goal, the responsibility to carry St. Francis Prep fell squarely on Rojas’ shoulders and the A-student with a 1,200 SAT score never wavered. Torres, who is three assists shy of the school’s all-time record, had five goals and 19 assists for the Terriers, who fell in the CHSAA city semifinals. Columbia, NYU and the Merchant Marine Academy are vying for his services.
Jiva Milenovici Sr. Mid. Holy Cross
At 6-foot, 175-pounds Milenovici is an imposing figure in the midfield and was one of the most dominant players in the air. But the senior midfielder isn’t all brawn, he also has great ball control, deceiving quickness and is a very heady player. Hofstra is among several Division I colleges interested in Milenovici.
Ferney Ruiz Sr. Mid. St. John’s Prep
Playoff time is usually when the more seasoned players step up, but in the Red Storm’s most important game of the season, the sophomore tri-captain who played just about every position on the field in 2001, made his mark. After netting the game-winner in the semifinals, the Elmhurst resident scored the all-important first goal in St. John’s 3-0 overtime win over Moore Catholic to clinch the CHSAA ‘B’ city title.
Sebastian Garcia So. Fwd. St. John’s Prep
Garcia is another of St. John’s sensational sophomores. A teammate of Ruiz on the Red Storm Arrows as well, Garcia also scored his share of big goals. He led a Red Storm team that went 11-3-1 and won its first city title since 1994 with 18 goals, including two in the title match. With both players back next year, St. John’s may not have to wait another seven years for it’s next city crown.
Rob Sardis Jr. Fwd. Archbishop Molloy
O’Leary, Hahn and Mike Testa were big reasons Molloy didn’t allow a lot of goals last year, but someone still has to score for the Stanners. That’s where Sardis came in. It seemed whenever Molloy needed a big goal, the junior forward delivered, including the lone goal in the Stanners 1-0 win over St. John the Baptist in the CHSAA state title game.
Second Team
Mike Testa So. GK Molloy
Christopher Clarke Jr. GK St. John's Prep
Gianpaolo DiMarco Sr. GK McClancy
John Sprague Fr. GK Cathedral Prep
Konrad Szcepenpic Sr. Def. Christ the King
Mike Forlenza Sr. Def. Molloy
Fillipo Rappa So. Mid. Christ the King
Johnny Guerraro Jr. Mid. Cathedral Prep
Sal Silaco Jr. Mid. Molloy
Chris Belac Jr. Fwd. St. Francis Prep
Paul Nittoli So. Fwd. Holy Cross
