Alex Bramall and Wes Finch named All-Americans

By Justin Rodriguez | Published: December 9, 2009 | 0 Comments

Newburgh Free Academy midfielder Wes Finch still can’t believe he’s earned the honor.
An all-American?
Even with all of Newburgh’s success this fall, Finch, a senior, is still surprised.
Finch and teammate Alex Bramall, the only two-time Varsity845 Player of the Year (2008-09), have been named all-Americans by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Finch and Bramall, who helped Newburgh to the Class AA state title last month, were also named to the NSCAA’s all-region (Northeast) and large school (Class AA and A) all-state teams.
“I’m kind of surprised I’m not being humble, but I just didn’t expect it,” said Finch, who finished with nine goals and 11 assists this season. He assisted on Bramall’s game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Brentwood in the Class AA state championship.
“It’s a crazy honor,” Finch said. “I just went out there and played as hard as I could. It’s a big accomplishment and I’m just happy all my hard work paid off.”
Despite Finch modesty, Bramall and Newburgh coach Matt Iorlano think he’s a definitely worthy of being named an all-American.
“With his speed, Wes is just such a dangerous, he always had defenders on their heels,” Bramall said. “He’s a good team player, a good captain, he kept everyone in line. All of that definitely makes him an all-American.”
“Wes played a huge part in our success and stepped up whenever we needed him to,” said Iorlano. “He’s a great leader and one of the main reasons why we won a state championship.”
Newburgh is still pumped about its run to glory. Before the Goldbacks, no Section 9 team had even ever won a Class AA state tournament game. Newburgh won four matches.
The Goldbacks finished 19-1-2 and ranked 12th in the NSCAA High School poll and seventh in ESPN Rise’s Fab 50 national rankings.
Now Newburgh has two All-Americans to celebrate.
“It’s amazing,” said Bramall, who will play at Division I player St. John’s next fall. “This is something I’ve been dreaming about since I was a kid. This is something that will make people take even more notice about Newburgh soccer.”

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State girls’ soccer all-star teams

By Justin Rodriguez | Published: December 7, 2009 | 0 Comments

Class AA
State Player of the Year:
Kylie Strom (Union-Endicott-4)
State Coach of the Year:
Mike McQuatters (CBA-3)
First Team
01 10 A Sam McGuire (John Jay East Fishkill)
01 12 D Kiera Hunt (John Jay East Fishkill)
02 12 M Molly Popolizio (Shenendehowa)
03 11 A Alexis Koval (CBA)
04 12 M Kylie Strom (Union-Endicott)
04 12 A Liz Dwornik (Union-Endicott)
05 12 A Brittany Kinmond (Spencerport)
08 12 M Andrea Arnold (Massapequa)
08 11 D Jessica Widmann (East Meadow)
08 12 G Ashley Castanio (Oceanside)
11 10 M Kristi Abbate (Northport)
Second Team
01 12 A Keri Ann O’Connor (Ursuline)
01 12 M Aislin McIlveney (Arlington)
01 11 A Francesca Kentimentos (North Rockland)
02 12 A Kaitlyn Martin (Bethlehem)
02 11 A Kristina Maksuti (Bethlehem)
03 12 D Katie Gildemeyer (Baldwinsville)
04 12 G Brittain Wagner (Union-Endicott)
05 12 M Haley Marks (Penfield)
06 12 A Kristi Putzig (Williamsville North)
11 12 A Bria Hartley (North Babylon)
11 12 M Sophia Sanchez (Deer Park)
Third Team
01 12 A Samantha Russo (Yorktown)
01 11 M Geena Kooner (John Jay East Fishkill)
02 12 A Liz Boyer (Saratoga)
02 12 AM Katie Michaelis (Albany)
05 12 D Liz Cusato (Webster Thomas)
05 11 D Katie Schindler (Irondequoit)
06 12 M Courtney Mann (Frontier)
09 12 M Matison Williams (Washingtonville)
11 11 G Alyssa Gutierrez (Sachem East)
11 11 M Deanna Murino (Connetquot)
P 10 A Jackie Bruno (McKee Staten Island Tech)
Fourth Team
02 11 M Stacey Sylvetski (Niskayuna)
02 12 G Renae Cairns (Ballston Spa)
03 12 D Jenn Locey (CBA)
04 12 A Lindsay Lobevero (Union-Endicott)
05 12 A Natalie Rogers (Webster Thomas)
05 10 D Danielle Lehman (Brockport)
06 12 M Alex Rohloff (Clarence)
08 12 M Jillian Gross (East Meadow)
08 12 M Courtney Gross (East Meadow)
11 11 A Casey Filippone (North Babylon)
11 12 A Codi-Lyn Johnson (West Islip)
Fifth Team
02 12 MD Amanda Callanan (Ballston Spa)
02 12 MD Anna Gray (Bethlehem)
03 12 M Taylor D’Alfonzo (Cicero-N. Syracuse)
05 12 D Mandi Hochheimer (Aqiunas)
05 12 M Brittany Quatcert (Greece Athena)
06 10 M Jenna Panepinto (Kenmore West)
08 12 M Katie Murphy (Farmingdale)
09 12 M Aimee Goldstein (Monroe-Woodbury)
11 11 M Kelsey Ferguson (Sachem East)
C 12 M Devin Prendergast (LI St. John Baptist)
C 12 A Meredith Speck (LI Sacred Heart)
Sixth Team
02 11 MD Morgan Berry (Shaker)
02 12 A Hillary Rouse (Amsterdam)
03 12 A Laura Taylor (Auburn)
05 10 M Lisa Rogers (Irondequoit)
05 12 M Allison Kendall (Gates Chili)
06 11 D Meghan Lipinoga (North Tonawanda)
08 12 M Jackie Cammaratta (MacArthur)
11 12 M Sydney Bond (Deer Park)
11 12 M Jen Gibbons (Bellport)
11 12 D Kaitlyn Carballeira (Ward Melville)
C 10 M Gianna Smith (St. Joseph Hill)

Class A
State Player of the Year:
Crystal Dunn (Rockville Centre South Side-8)
State Coach of the Year:
Judi Croutier (Rockville Centre South Side-8)
First Team
01 11 A Lia Bellizzi (Rye)
01 11 G Tatiana Saunders (Rye)
02 12 M Monica Wolf (Burnt Hills)
05 12 A Kelly Knight (Greece Olympia)
06 12 M Katie Griffin (Williamsville East)
06 11 A Jenna Raepple (Grand Island)
08 12 M Crystal Dunn (RC South Side)
08 12 M Emily Menges (Garden City)
08 12 D Jackie Nicholas (RC South Side)
11 11 A Katie Hyland (Islip)
11 10 A Kari Quinn (Shoreham-Wading River)
Second Team
01 12 D Delia Hughes (Eastchester)
02 12 M Kelsey Fish (South Glens Falls)
02 12 MD Sarah Cipperly (Lansingburgh)
03 11 M Tori Nies (Jamesville-DeWitt)
05 12 G Jessica Sexton (Greece Arcadia)
05 10 M Sydney Ciufo (Pittsford Mendon)
08 12 A Carly Beyar (RC South Side)
08 12 M Shannon Kearney (New Hyde Park)
11 12 A Angela Bosco (Huntington)
11 12 A Kara Mupo (Rocky Point)
11 10 M Stephanie Peragallo (Hauppauge)
Third Team
01 12 D Michelle Iannacchino (Somers)
01 12 M Sara Sheehan (Beacon)
02 12 MD Kierra Moore (Holy Names)
02 09 A Jillian Beatty (Burnt Hills)
04 12 M Kaitlyn Cook (Maine-Endwell)
06 12 D Morgan Begy (Williamsville East)
C 12 G Tori Christ (Nardin)
08 12 M Kelly Smolenski (New Hyde Park)
08 12 A Allie Spector (Hewlett)
09 12 D Jillian Kelly (Cornwall)
11 12 A Ally Abruzzo (Mt. Sinai)
Fourth Team
02 12 MD Ashley Scofield (Averill Park)
02 12 D Makala Gatta (Scotia-Glenville)
03 12 A Aubrey VanGorder (Cortland)
04 12 A Lindsey Seymour (Elmira Southside)
05 12 M Lindsay Powell (Honeoye Falls-Lima)
05 11 D Meredith Martin (Victor)
05 11 M Lauren Haslinger (Victor)
06 11 D Jeannie Taylor (Grand Island)
08 12 D Alexandra Siciliano (New Hyde Park)
09 12 D Stephanie May (Wallkill)
11 12 G Ali Griffin (Islip)
Fifth Team
02 11 A Julie Mc Neff (Troy Catholic)
02 09 A Miranda Haraughty (Glens Falls)
02 12 D Lacey Powers (Ichabod Crane)
05 12 D Sarah Tanea (Newark)
09 12 A Jessica Jingblad (Goshen)
09 12 M Heylan Tsumagari (Red Hook)
10 11 A Brittany Marshall (Malone)
10 11 D Coree Phillips (Massena)
11 11 M Kelly Santangello (Sayville)
11 12 A Molly Bishop (Comsewogue)
11 12 D Jackie Baratelli (Hauppauge)

Class B
State Co-Players of the Year:
Amanda Hathaway (Stillwater-2) and
Kate Underwood (Briarcliff)
State Coach of the Year:
Owen Scully (Briarcliff-1)
First Team
01 12 D Kate Underwood (Briarcliff)
01 12 A Amy Marron (Westlake)
01 11 A Liana Cornacchio (Briarcliff)
01 10 A Danielle Cristiano (Briarcliff)
02 12 D Amanda Hathaway (Stillwater)
02 10 A Abby Maiello (Mechanicville)
02 12 G Michelle Cuomo (Schalmont)
04 12 G M.C. Barrett (Lansing)
04 12 A Taylor Mazursky (Chenango Forks)
05 12 A Karly Tolentino (Greece Odyssey)
08 12 M Elizabeth Ludlow (Cold Spring Harbor)
Second Team
01 12 A Lauren Kahn (Nanuet)
02 12 A Laura Snowdon (Schalmont)
03 10 A Kelly Ristoff (Westhill)
04 12 D Katy Bland (Lansing)
05 12 A Taylor Wingerden (Palymra-Macedon)
05 12 G Hannah Conine (Livonia)
C 12 A Bri Catapovic (Buffalo Mount St. Mary’s)
06 12 A Lindsay Stoddard (Allegany-Limestone)
08 12 D Kristen Insardi (Cold Spring Harbor)
11 12 A Sarah Golden (Southold-Greenpoint)
11 12 M Jessica Bandrowski (Center Moriches)
Third Team
01 12 M Jane Wallis (Briarcliff)
02 11 G Meghan Baxter (Catskill)
03 12 M Brianna Guarino (Watertown IHC)
04 12 M Maddy Tiddick (Owego)
04 11 D Cassie Palladino (Lansing)
05 11 A Kaylee Fillmore (Sodus)
05 12 A Taryn Van Thof (Livonia)
06 10 M Kim Obermeier (Depew)
06 10 D Emma Bracken (East Aurora)
07 12 A Sarah Carter (Plattsburgh)
10 11 A Cassie Grace (Potsdam)
Fourth Team
02 12 M Kelsey Lenny (Coxsackie-Athens)
02 11 AM Courtney Pierce (Schuylerville)
02 12 M Nicole Manupella (Mechanicville)
03 12 G Megan Tock (Marcellus)
03 12 A Katie Kleine (Cazenovia)
05 11 M Jenna Merica (LeRoy)
05 12 M Emily Troup (Holley)
09 12 G Rachel Abrams (O’Neill)
10 12 M Kaitlin Fanning (Canton)
11 11 A Amber Mello (Mattituck)
11 12 M Katie Hayes (Mattituck)

Class C
Player of the Year:
Donna Liotine (Stony Brook-11)
Co-Coaches of the Year:
Mark Maningo (Stony Brook-11)
and Tim Clive (Sauquoit Valley-3)
First Team
01 12 D Alexia Shea (North Salem)
02 12 M Becca La Porte (Hoosick Falls)
03 12 M Kelsey Hogel (Sauquoit Valley)
03 12 A Amanda Orsino (Sauquoit Valley)
04 11 M Lindsay Bakaal (Newark Valley)
04 11 A Marianne Thomaris (Elmira ND)
05 12 M Jenna Lynn (York)
06 12 M Caitie Pfeiffer (Holland)
11 11 M Donna Liotine (Stony Brook)
11 12 D Natalie Abbene (Pierson)
11 11 G Danielle Pappas (Stony Brook)
Second Team
02 11 A Meeghan Arno (Maple Hill)
02 11 A Kelsey Logan (Fort Plain)
03 12 A Sierra Kiss (Sauquoit Valley)
04 10 A Rachel Lamoreaux (Elmira ND)
04 12 D Paige McCarthy (Marathon)
04 11 M Rachael Parker (Marathon)
05 12 G Mealanie Johnson (Caledonia?Mumford)
C 12 A Bre Smith (Nichols)
07 08 A Lindsey Bushey (Plattsburgh Seton)
07 12 A Kayla Rabideau (Northern Adirondack)
11 11 A Michelle Hennessy (Stony Brook)
Third Team
01 11 A Meghan Royal (Haldane)
02 11 A Molly Gilchrist (Hoosic Valley)
02 12 D Carrie Gorka (Voorheesville)
04 11 D Melissa Mahajan (Elmira ND)
04 12 D Val Hanson (Newark Valley)
05 12 M Rissa Smith (Keshequa)
05 11 A Kaila Browe (Kendall)
05 12 A Catherine Mucha (Keshequa)
C 10 D Zoe Jackson Gibson (Nichols)
09 09 A Gladys Loyas (Florida)
11 11 G Christan Pappalardo (Port Jefferson)
Fourth Team
02 11 M Sierra Legge (Maple Hill)
02 12 D Meg McEachron (Hoosick Falls)
02 12 M Aydin Hastings (Cambridge)
02 12 G Kelsey Rogers (Hoosick Falls)
03 12 M Sam Covey (Tully)
04 12 M Theresa Guardino (Unatego)
05 12 M Melissa Lincoln (Naples)
05 11 A Macenzie Peters (Williamson)
06 09 A Emily Foy (Frewsburg)
06 11 M TaylorVanderbush (Holland)
09 12 M Regina Stewart (Millbrook)

Class D
State Player of the Year:
Kori Hamm (Edmeston-4)
State Coach of the Year:
Melody Harwood (Arkport-5)
First Team
02 12 M Geneva Furlano (New Lebanon)
03 12 A Nicole Law (McGraw)
03 12 A Kierra Mack (McGraw)
04 12 A Kori Hamm (Edmeston)
04 12 M Jessica Bentley (Schenevus)
04 12 D Jayme Bentley (Schenevus)
05 12 A Brianna VanScoter (Arkport)
05 11 M Brittney Smith (Arkport)
05 11 D Jordan Harwood (Arkport)
07 12 A Victoria Reynolds (Chazy)
11 11 A Christina Casamassina (Smithtown Christian)
Second Team
02 11 G Brianna Thibeau (Salem)
03 12 M Kristen Guy (McGraw)
03 12 D Sandy Roberts (Remsen)
04 11 A Laura Potter (Gilboa-Conesville)
04 12 D Sam Meyerhoff (Davenport)
05 11 A Stephanie Ellison (Whitesville)
06 12 M Kim Telaak (Ellicottville)
06 10 M Molly Beaton (Maple Grove)
07 12 A Emma Nye (Keene)
10 12 A Marissa Cook (Chateaugay)
11 10 A Chelsea Bellini (Smithtown Christian)
Third Team
02 10 M Madalyn Ryan (Northville)
03 11 A Emily Truett (Hamilton)
03 12 M Ashley Huckabone (Poland)
04 12 G Susanna Johnson (Edmeston)
05 12 D Caroline McDowell (Alfred-Almond)
05 12 M Erin Fleming (Bolivar-Richburg)
06 12 F Cassie Weber (North Collins)
07 11 M Astrid Kempainen (Chazy)
07 10 A Caitlyn LaPier (Chazy)
10 11 M Racquel Fowler (Chateaugay)
10 12 D Samantha Weaver (Heuvelton)
Fourth Team
02 12 A Beth Fisher (Bolton)
02 12 A Johanna Jackson (Loudonville Christian)
03 09 A Erin O’Connor (Remsen)
06 12 M Anna Pierce (Ellicottville)
06 11 M Sara Hover (Maple Grove)
09 11 A Marissa Diescher (Livingston Manor)
09 12 A Brianna Sofia (Chapel Field)
10 12 A Katherine Donovan (Clifton-Fine)
10 11 A Katie French (Harrisville)
11 11 D Annette Mims (Smithtown Christian)
11 11 D Dominique Jack (Smithtown Christian)

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Varsity 845 Boys’ and Girls’ soccer all-star teams

By Justin Rodriguez | Published: November 26, 2009 | 0 Comments

Drum roll please…..
The Varsity845 boys’ soccer all-star team will run on Dec. 6 with the girls’ to follow on Dec. 13. I’ve already begun putting the teams together and contacting coaches for information. Now, for the big award winners:

Boys’ soccer Player of the Year: Alex Bramall, Newburgh

Boys’ soccer Coach of the Year: Matt Iorlano, Newburgh

Girls’ soccer Player of the Year: Jenna Maisto, Warwick

Girls’ soccer Coach of the Year: Kristin Stroppel-Leska, James I. O’Neill

Editor’s note: As you can see, this blog has been given a facelift. As of now, readers cannot make comments, but I’m hoping that will change soon. Happy Thanksgiving – Justin

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NFA celebrates its state title

By Justin Rodriguez | Published: November 23, 2009 | 0 Comments

Newburgh Free Academy defender Evan Southworth isn’t sure when it will all hit him.
Maybe in a couple of days, weeks or months. Like so many of his teammates, Southworth, a senior, is still in a state of euphoria.
Still trying to grasp the Class AA state championship the Newburgh boys’ soccer team just won.
“It feels great, but sometimes I don’t believe it happened,” Southworth said on Monday, a day after Newburgh rallied to beat defending champ Brentwood 2-1 for the state title. “I’m in shock, we’re on top of the world. I don’t know, maybe in a week, it will hit me. When it does, I will get emotional.”
With its win against Brentwood, Newburgh (19-1-2) wrapped up, perhaps, the greatest boys’ soccer run in Section 9 history. No team from Orange, Sullivan or Ulster counties had won a state title since Highland (22-0-2) claimed the Class C state championship in 1987.
Newburgh went 4-0 in the state tournament, outscoring opponents 9-3. No Section 9 team had won a Class AA state game since the classification was introduced in 2004.
Still, according to Newburgh coach Matt Iorlano, the celebration on the way home from Oneonta on Sunday was relaxed. The champs stopped to eat at Wendy’s after the game and watched a movie on their chartered bus. Newburgh arrived home at about 8 p.m.
“The kids were excited, but mellow,” Iorlano said. “I think the physical toll of playing two games in a row wore on them. They were pretty quiet. But it’s still amazing and the congratulations haven’t stopped. It’s great to have people thanking us for getting the job done.”
They have come in the form of phone calls and text messages from coaches around the state and from friends of Iorlano’s from as far as Seattle. Iorlano, who just finished up his 14th season with Newburgh, said he and Newburgh athletic director Chris Townsend are making plans for how to celebrate the title.
The team might get championship rings, a special jacket, a party. Or all three. The Goldbacks were treated like celebrities in school on Monday, getting handshakes, hugs, pats on the back from everyone – teachers, classmates, security guards.
“It’s great to be recognized like that,” said Newburgh midfielder Wes Finch, who assisted on Alex Bramall’s game-winning goal against Brentwood. “I mean, it’s been like a dream since we won it, since after the game. This was our goal and we finally did it.”
“It’s weird,” Bramall said. “It kind of fades in and out at times. I really can’t believe this. It will all of a sudden hit me and I’m like, ‘Wow, we are state champs.’ It’s great and I think all of the guys feel the same way.”
Bramall and his Newburgh teammates will cherish this season, this furious run, this moment, forever. But when will it all hit them?
Frank Dinnocenzio coached the Newburgh boys’ basketball team to its first state championship in school history in his first season last March. He isn’t sure that the enormity of the moment has even registered with him yet.
“I was up there, it was just fantastic,” Dinnocenzio said. “I was just so tired after we won. Not tired of playing, but tired physically and mentally. At first, you really don’t know what happened, until, maybe, when all the dust settles. This might not really hit them until next year.”

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Shenedehowa coach Mike Campisi checks in

By Justin Rodriguez | Published: November 18, 2009 | 0 Comments

Last week, I checked in with Byram Hills coach Matthew Allen and Arlington coach Gary Montalto, leading into their games against Goshen and Newburgh Free Academy.
Both coaches, like so many of their Section 9 counterparts, were gentleman. Next on J-Rod’s call list is Shenendehowa coach Mike Campisi. Add Campisi to the good guy list. Campisi, in his 30th season, took some time to speak with me earlier Wednesday.
Here are some more quick facts about Shenendehowa, followed with some Campisi quotes.
Shenendehowa beat Saratoga 2-0 in the Section II Class AA title game – its 16th championship and ending three years of playoff frustrations. The Plainsmen built a 2-0 lead in the regional Saturday and were forced to advance via penalty kicks. Goalie John Mabee came up huge, helping Shen overcome a 2-0 deficit.
Campisi has over 500 career wins and guided his team to USA Today national titles in 1988 and 1990. The team is led by Virginia Tech-bound senior striker David Clemens (21 goals, 7 assists).
Junior forward Ryan Yurchak is an emerging star and has come up big in the second half and senior midfielder T.J. Izykowski is a hard-nosed and gritty leader. The defense is led by sweeper Matt Telesca and Ryan Connors.
Campisi on Newburgh: “I know they are a very good team. Obviously, they beat Arlington. I know they have excellent players and will be tough to beat. They are a quality team. Even without the Bramall brothers, they will be tough to beat. Arlington was undefeated and Newburgh went up 3-1. That says a lot right there.”

On playing a shorthanded Newburgh team: “Well, you always want to play a team at full strength. But I know how that goes. We lost a kid in the (Section 2) semifinals. But, a lot of times, other kids will rise to the occasion. I’ve seen teams play down players and they play great.”

On if that could be the case with NFA: “Absolutely. I’ve seen it happen. We had a player get a red card (in the Section 2) semifinals and we had another player play center midfield for the first time. He did a great job, so you never know.”

On Shenendehowa being a possession team: “We try, but we are not always successful. We try to move the ball around and be creative. But I think Baldwinsville was a little better than us (in the Class AA state quarterfinals).”

On the problems NFA’s physical game may present Shenendehowa with: “I don’t think it will be a problem. We play a lot of physical teams and, these days, a player is used to all kinds of styles: Technical, physical, they are a little more savvy.”

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In case you missed it in today’s paper: NFA gets nationally ranked; loses Bramall

By Justin Rodriguez | Published: November 18, 2009 | 0 Comments

First, the good news Newburgh Free Academy ’s boys’ soccer team received on Tuesday: The Goldbacks jumped into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School poll for the first time in 13 years.

Newburgh will be ranked 18th in the country when it takes on Shenendehowa (17-1-2) in the semifinals of the Class AA state tournament at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

And, now, the bad news: Playmaking midfielder Alex Bramall will watch Newburgh vs. Shenedehowa from the bench. Newburgh hoped to protest to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association in an attempt to get Bramall’s ejection in a 3-2 win over national power Arlington in the Class AA state quarterfinals last Saturday overturned.

However, according to Newburgh athletic director Chris Townsend, NYSPHSAA executive director informed him the school cannot appeal the decision.

“Van Erk was very nice and she told me there is no recourse, there is no provision for an appeal,” Townsend said. “It would have been different if the officials misapplied the rules. A lot of people thought we should pursue this. I talked to ( Newburgh coach) Matt Iorlano and he thought we should inquire. There is just nothing we can do.”

Bramall, who has 16 goals and 10 assists this year, received his second yellow card from referee Dave Belmarchias with 6:30 left in the Arlington after Bramall and the rest of the team maintain he was pulled to the turf by Arlington’s Rob Stevens. Belmarchias assessed Stevens with a yellow card for his WWE-style take down and hit Bramall with his second yellow for “grabbing Stevens’ shirt.”

Two yellow cards equal a red and an ejection. That means Bramall, last year’s Varsity845 Player of the Year, will sit out against Shenendehowa. However, the team claims to have videotape – shot by defender Mark Stellwag’s sister at the game — that shows Bramall never lunged at or grabbed Stevens.

Bramall can return for Sunday’s Class AA championship if Newburgh (17-1-2) beats Shenendehowa. Bramall’s brother, Nick, a junior striker who leads the team with 18 goals, is also sitting out for yellow card accumulation. He picked up his third of the postseason in the first half against Arlington and can also return if Newburgh plays for a state title.

“Honestly, I’m dumbfounded by (Belmarchias’s) call,” Townsend said. “I saw it live and on video and it wasn’t the right call. Alex didn’t deserve the yellow, but (Iorlano) will rally the troops, and I think they can get through the semifinal.”

The day started on a much higher note for Newburgh , the state’s top-ranked team, with players passing the news around the school hallways that the team had made the NSCAA poll. Newburgh ’s win over Arlington , which entered the teams’ state quarterfinal showdown ranked third in the nation, made the Goldbacks impossible to pass over. Arlington (19-1-1) is no longer in the poll, but received votes. Shenendehowa also earned votes.

“I mean, it’s great, it’s amazing, to be ranked that high,” Newburgh midfielder Wes Finch said. “We’ve worked hard all year and I think we deserve it. I couldn’t believe it when Mark (Stellwag) told me today at school.”

Added Iorlano: “It’s quite an honor when you think about it. We weren’t even ranked in the state at the beginning of the season. To keep climbing all season, to get better and better, it’s tough. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.

National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School Boys’ Poll

1. St. Thomas Aquinas ( Overland Park , Kan. ) 21-0-0

2. Sacramento Jesuit ( Carmichael , Calif. ) 27-1-0

3. Lincoln ( Gahanna , Ohio ) 22-0-1

4. Glastonbury ( Conn. ) 18-0-1

5. Episcopal ( Alexandria , Va. ) 19-0-4

6. Martin Luther King Jr. (NYC) 17-1-1

7. Unionville ( Kennett Square, Pa. ) 22-2-0

8. St. Ignatius ( Cleveland , Ohio ) 22-1-0

9. Apple Valley ( Minn. ) 24-0-0

10. Jacksonville (N.C.) 27-0-0

11. La Cueva ( Albuquerque , N.M. ) 20-2-1

12. Muskego ( Wis. ) 27-1-1

13. Ludlow ( Mass. ) 17-0-3

14. Washburn Rural ( Topeka , Kan. ) 20-1-0

15. Seton Hall Prep ( West Orange , N.J. ) 19-2-1

16. Salesianum School ( Wilmington , Del. ) 14-2-1

17. St. Xavier ( Louisville , Ky. ) 23-1-1

18. Newburgh Free Academy 17-1-2

19. Brentwood (N.Y.) 17-3

20. Marin Catholic ( Kentfield , Calif. ) 25-2-2

21. Lexington ( Mass. ) 18-0-3

22. Father Judge ( Philadelphia , Pa. ) 21-2-1

23. Lyons Township ( LaGrange , Ill. ) 26-3-0

24. Brother Rice ( Birmingham , Mich. ) 16-3-6

25. Zionsville ( Ind. ) 20-3-1

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Shenendehowa’s game plan against NFA revealed

By Justin Rodriguez | Published: November 18, 2009 | 0 Comments

So what does Albany-area power Shenendehowa bring to the pitch? I decided to dial up a coach who faced Shen three times this season for his take on Newburgh Free Academy’s opponent in the Class AA state semifinals in Oneonta on Saturday.
Jeff Geller, a 1997 New Paltz graduate, is the first-year coach at Saratoga Springs High School. His team lost to Shen 2-0 in the Section 2 championship. Geller’s side also lost to Shen 1-0 in overtime during the season and tied the Plainsmen 1-1.
Several Section 9 coaches have told me that, considering the circumstances, Newburgh will play without midfielder Alex Bramall (16 goals, 10 assists), and striker Nick Bramall (18 goals) is out, Shen might be the perfect opponent considering the situation. The Plainsmen (17-1-2) play a possession game, passing the ball methodically, often playing for a 1-0 or 2-0 victory.
Interesting, because Newburgh, undermanned, may have to play for a 1-0 win. Still, the Goldbacks are in for a fight.Once again, they get to play the role of underdog.
“(Shen) is just very, very organized,” Geller said. “All their players are just so smart and always seem to know where to be. A lot of teams have four or five real good players and some role-players. They are tough from top to bottom. They are just so well coaches.”
Shen coach Mike Campisi picked up his 500th career win this season and has six state championships. His teams have finished first or second in league play (Suburban Council) every year since 1982 and captured six state championships. Shen beat Baldwinsville in a penalty kick shootout 3-2 (3-2) in the Class AA state quarterfinals.
According to Geller, who spent the seven previous years as Saratoga’s jayvee coach, Shen is painfully patient and deliberate, moving the ball from side to side, back and forth, wrapping the ball around. Then, when Shen sees an opening, Shen goes for the killer. The Plainsmen have the perfect finisher up top: David Clemens, who will play at Virginia Tech next fall.
“They will just keep passing and passing, it’s amazing,” Geller said. “They see an opening and they hit it. But they will wait as long as they have to. Any time we attacked someone, they would get the ball somewhere else.”
Geller politely said he likes Shen in this game, but he said Newburgh may have an advantage: It’s physical play.
“I haven’t seen Newburgh play, but I know they are very skilled and physical,” Geller said. “I think Newburgh might have a chance if they are physical. I don’t know how well Shenendehowa can handle that, but, no matter what, they will do a great job moving the ball. They have wonderful organization.”

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