Though the preseason expectations were modest, from the outside looking in, there was an unwavering confidence within the Our Lady of Lourdes boys soccer team. That was, despite the foreseen challenges of a significant roster turnover and a coaching change.
There still was a belief, an insistence, that its core of seniors could elevate themselves enough to lift the group.
As the Warriors went on to hoist sectional and regional championship plaques, celebrating a run that defied the odds, there was an additional feeling of fulfillment that came with an understanding of all that was required.
Evan Cancro no longer could be just a star player; the senior needed to become a mentor and a vocal leader for the slew of underclassmen on what suddenly was a young roster. No longer were his duties on defense and in transition enough in the center midfield, but he needed to be a primary scorer to offset some of the production lost to graduation.
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The three-time Journal All-Star checked each of those boxes, leading Lourdes through a difficult postseason gauntlet to the Class A state semifinals. In addition to his high-energy defense and ball-handling, Cancro had 11 goals and 12 assists and received all-state and United Soccer Coaches all-region honors. Those accomplishments earned him a share of the Journal’s Player of the Year.
Similar to Lourdes’ situation, there figured to be a drop-off for Arlington following its 2023 run to the state semifinals, given all the standouts who had graduated and the change at head coach. Instead, the Admirals steadily improved, their confidence buoyed early by an upset of powerhouse Scarsdale.
Arlington went to have a remarkable run down the stretch and into the playoffs, reaching the Section 1 Class AAA final. At the center of all that was Declan Gallagher, a senior who flourished in a breakout season and did all of the little things in a big way to uplift the team against a difficult schedule.
The center midfielder was dominant in gaining and maintaining possession, winning balls in the air and forcing turnovers. That, coach Brady Battistoni said, was “in addition to being a crucial part of the offense.” Gallagher had 10 goals and nine assists and was voted league I-A MVP, all-section and all-state.
Omar Ait Sidi Ahmed, Roy C. Ketcham, defender, senior: Praised by coach James Chappas for his “exceptional skill, leadership and tactical awareness,” the all-section pick anchored a stout back line that helped the Storm reach the Section 1 Class AAA playoffs in a rebuilding season.
Mason Amorim, John Jay-East Fishkill, defender, senior: A converted midfielder, shifted to the back out of necessity, he thrived in that role and led the the Patriots to the Section 1 Class AAA quarterfinals. Amorin also had three goals and four assists and was voted all-section.
Caesar Baker, New Paltz, forward, junior: With excellent ball-handling skills and creativity, the dynamic playmaker led the Huguenots to the Section 9 Class A semifinals. Baker had six goals and 13 assists, several of them flashy, and got an all-section nod.
Davis Barnes, Spackenkill, forward, senior: His height, instincts and speed contributed to him being “the best offensive player I’ve ever coached,” Brendan Cross said. Barnes had 21 goals and eight assists – accounting for 67.4% of Spackenkill’s scoring – while leading them to the Section 9 Class B final, where he scored twice.
Jake Brown, Marlboro, forward, senior: The three-time Journal All-Star was an offensive force, leading the rebuilding Iron Dukes to the Section 9 Class A quarterfinals. Brown had 17 goals and five assists, earning all-section.
Zach Cervone, Lourdes, midfield, senior: With Lourdes in need of leadership and offensive punch for its young roster, he delivered in both areas during a breakout season. Cervone had six assists and a team-high 14 goals, helping them reach the Class A state semifinals.
Avery Davis, Beacon, defender, senior: A vocal and emotional leader who brought physicality and savvy to the field, the center back led a unit that drove Beacon to the Section 9 Class A final, following a run of three straight championships. He is committed to SUNY Cortland.
DJ DeVito, Lourdes, midfield, senior: Lauded by coach Eileen Cancro for his “work rate” on both ends, DeVito contributed in all facets and blossomed as an offensive weapon, tallying 13 goals and eight assists en route to all-Section 9 honors.
Dylan Manriquez, Arlington, forward, junior: The two-time Journal All-Star is an excellent finisher and facilitator with a knack for scoring in the clutch. He had 12 goals and eight assists and earned all-section honors.
Noah Mellen, Arlington, forward, senior: The Marist College commit worked well in tandem with Manriquez, helping orchestrate the offense. Mellen had seven goals and six assists, helping the Admirals reach the Section 1 Class AAA final.
C.J. Nuccio, Dover, forward, sophomore: His emergence propelled the Dragons through an excellent regular season and to the Section 9 Class B semifinals. The all-section standout had 16 goals and nine assists.
Parker Ruger, Rhinebeck, midfield, senior: In addition to his traditional responsibilities as a center midfielder, Ruger was almost unstoppable offensively. The two-time Journal All-Star had 29 goals and 15 assists, leading Rhinebeck to the Section 9 Class C title. “His outstanding technical ability, vision and team play made him an incredibly special player,” coach Justin Wiesenthal said.
Samer Sahawneh, Spackenkill, goalkeeper, senior: With his smarts, quick reflexes and range, he has thrived under pressure and routinely makes difficult saves. Sahawneh starred in the Spartans’ run to the 2023 state final, and he took them to penalty kicks of the section final this season.
Hunter Szabo, Rhinebeck, defender, senior: A standout center back for three seasons, he led a defense that held opponents to 0.5 goals per game — including 12 shutouts — as the Hawks reached the Class C regional.
Brody Timm, Beacon, midfield, senior: The center midfielder excelled on both ends, leading the Bulldogs to the Section 9 Class A final. The Cortland commit had a team-high 12 goals and six assists, earning all-section and Journal All-Star honors for a third time.
Jack Yough, Lourdes, defender, senior: He was a key cog in Lourdes’ two runs to the state tournament since 2022. With his strength, soccer IQ and intensity, the two-time Journal All-Star anchored a defense that held opponents to 1.2 goals per game and was voted all-Section 9.
Outman Ait Sidi Ahmed, Ketcham, F, Sr.
Chase Bosko, Spackenkill, D, Sr.
Uriel Botchway, John Jay, D, Jr.
Giacomo Buitoni, Red Hook, M, Sr.
Jaidyn Caccomo, Beacon, M/F, Sr.
Alex Caldeiro, Webutuck, D, Jr.
Daniel Campbell, Spackenkill, M/D, Sr.
Derek Carrozza, Pawling, F, So.
Anthony Cocca, Arlington, M, Jr.
Harry Edelman, New Paltz, G, Sr.
Tye Elias, Beacon, F, Jr.
Brady Fischer, Rhinebeck, M, Sr.
Emmanuel Macenat, Lourdes, M/D, So.
Matt Mazzella, Arlington, M, Sr.
Diego Orellana, Dover, M, Sr.
Brandt Robbins, Haldane, M, Sr.
Luc Saguilan, New Paltz, M, Jr.
Cameron Welsh, Ketcham, F, Sr.
Arlington: Shea Basso, Sr., D; Evan Simmons, Sr., M; Christopher Zimmerlie, Sr., D
Beacon: Brevin Timm, So., D
Dover: Brady Doherty, F, So.; Alex Franco, Sr., D/M; Diego Gomez, Jr., M/F; Majd Ibrahim, Jr., M;
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Jaret Cruz, Sr., M
Haldane: Matt Silhavy, Sr., M
Highland: Parker Jackson, So., M
John Jay: Gianluca Cioffi, Sr., F; Carson Durkin, Sr., G; Patrick Fornelos, Sr., M; Sean Viebrock, Jr., F
Marlboro: Matt Bogaczyk, Jr., M; Jesus Cediel Echevarri, Sr., D; Pedro Gonzalez, Sr., M/F; Alex Vargas, Sr., D
Millbrook: Brady Kozera, Sr., F; Michael Schiavelli, Sr., F
New Paltz: Luca Ciulla, Fr., F/M; Mario Tiberia, So., D
Our Lady of Lourdes: Grady Collins, So., F/M; Rowan King, Sr., D; Tomas Sargios, So.
Red Hook: Christian Merino, Sr., M/F; Julian Senterfit-Sanjuan, Sr., M
Rhinebeck: Grady Pietras, Sr., M; Calvin Steele, So., F/M; Griffin Stewart, Jr., D
Roy C. Ketcham: Christian Guaraca, Jr., M; Billy Peru, Sr., G; James Townsend, Sr., D
Spackenkill: Yusuf Ahmed, Sr., F; Nigel Barnet, Sr., F; John Bosko, Sr., D; Dylan Breslow, Sr., F; Jonnathan Guallpa, Sr., D; Cristian Zarate-Reyes, Sr., D; Lucas Rankel, Sr., D; Nathaniel Stout, M, Jr.
Webutuck: Luis Cabrera, Sr., M; Nelson Ismael Choc, Jr., F; Anibal Cuc, So., F
Eileen Cancro, Our Lady of Lourdes: The Warriors thrived in her first season as head coach, reaching the Class A state semifinals with a roster comprised heavily of underclassmen. Players credited Cancro, a longtime club coach, for her ability to make quick schematic adjustments and “command respect.”
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
