By Laura Amato Newsday November 3, 2020

Talk about getting off to a good head start.

Less than four minutes into Tuesday night’s CHSAA boys soccer matchup, St. Anthony’s junior midfielder Sean Louis got the Friars on the board, finding the back of the net on a header and effectively setting the tone of the game as the squad defeated St. John the Baptist, 3-0.

"Once we get that first goal, we control the game," Louis said. "I saw [Michael Odusami] get the ball down the line, he kept it in, and I knew I had to finish what he started. Had to put it in."

Odusami sparked the Friars’ early offensive push, holding possession near the net before sending a cross through the box that found Louis’ head with 41:04 remaining in the first half. The senior forward said he saw Louis standing at the far post and was determined to get the ball to him.

photo by James Escher

"What was going through my head, was getting the right contact on the ball," Odusami said, "getting it to my teammate and the image of him celebrating."

Coach Don Corrao credited the Friars (3-1-1) for getting the early jump, saying "it settled things down right away."

I thought our pace and ball distribution in the first half was pretty good," Corrao added. "The kids worked hard . . . overall good effort and had a lot of opportunities."

Junior midfielder Zachary Beach made good on one of those opportunities with 23:19 left in the first half, giving St. Anthony’s a two-goal lead on a penalty kick.

"I think where I’m going and then hit it," Beach said of his PK approach. "It’s so important especially when it’s a 1-0 game. That’s what decides the game."

Bolstered by their first-half cushion, the Friars continued to bring pressure throughout the second half, pushing the tempo against the St. John the Baptist (3-4) defense. Odusami once again came up big, scoring with 6:21 left to make it 3-0 and wrap up the victory. "It was only a matter of time before we got another goal," Odusami said.

Now, as the Friars turn their attention to the final games of the regular season and, they hope, a second-straight league championship, St. Anthony’s is looking to build off the momentum of this win.

"It’s huge," Beach said "It sends a message to the league, that we’re here to win and we’re not going to do anything less."

They’re back and better than ever, the reigning state champions took the field last Monday to begin what feels like a long journey but will end in just a month on Nov. 14th. With 22 returners, the Friars are hoping to pick up this year’s victories right where they left them being led by new Head Coach Don Corrao.

They will face rival and league runner up, Kellenberg (10/19), in their second game of the season as well as number one seed of last year’s league, Chaminade, in a mid-season matchup (10/27). Last year’s season was defined as beating the odds, which worked in the Friars favor, now they are hoping to defend that statement once again and clinch another state title. 

Don Corrao in his first season as head coach, but a staple in the Friars soccer community for several years, is hopeful that he can carry his Friars to yet another successful season. He tells us his expectations for his team are too, “Work hard every day, learn, compete, and have fun doing it. Our goal is to repeat as League Champions and continue on the Friar spirit.” This spirit that the team embodies stems from many traditions held throughout the program for several years. Corrao explains to us the traditions the Friar’s plan to continue, “somewhat hampered by restrictions imposed because of the pandemic, the team still looks to support breast cancer research, get involved in community service, days at the beach, soccer tennis, retro day, and crazy hat day to name a few.” The Friars soccer team is one of the most involved programs here at Saint Anthony’s they believe in giving back to those who support them. 

The Friars and CHSAA league teams all started their training on Sept. 21st and are working hard to prepare in time for their season opener (10/13). Other highly skilled programs such as the Flyers of Chaminade look to regain their spot as top competitors of the CHSAA league and the only team standing in their way is the highly talented defending champions, our Friars. 

I asked some of the players what they’re most looking forward to this season as well as their favorite matchup. Junior Forward Julian Wicik, who played at the varsity level last year, says, “The moment I most look forward to is putting in the work to win the league again. My favorite matchup is St. John’s they got new and talented players from multiple DA teams and that’s going to be a challenge to overcome.” Top elite clubs and players represent what is called the USDA; meaning United States Development Academy which is a boys program consisting of multiple clubs across the nation that compete in various events throughout the year.  St. John’s who finished 4th overall with a record 2-3-3 in the league last season is filling the underdog spot that the Friars once occupied, and will rival all the top competitors with their addition of new players from several well known clubs.

Senior Logan D’ Aoust added, “This season we need to adjust to everything that is going on in the world and be thankful that we are allowed to play. We are very fortunate to be student athletes at Saint Anthony’s, the coaches and staff are doing so much for us right now. For the rest of the season, we just need to find our rhythm and keep moving forward one game at a time.” 

With the league being highly competitive the Friars have their work cut out for them. They are looking forward to working and playing hard to prove that they are once again champions. After their first victory against St. Mary’s 6-0 they hope to keep this winning streak going. Follow the Friars journey as they try and head to yet another state title. Catch their game Monday, 10/19 against the runner up of last year’s league, the Firebirds of Kellenberg. 

BOYS SOCCER

• Try Out From Monday 8/23 - 25th. On Cy Donnelly Field

  • ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR A WHITE T SHIRT with your name on the back.  

  • Equipment required: cleats, running shoes, shin guards, and water.

• Varsity: Monday 8/23  Cy Donnelly Field 7pm-8:30pm

• JVA:  Monday 8/23 Cy Donnelly Field 5pm-7pm

• JVB (Freshmen):  Monday 8/23 Cy Donnelly Field 3:30pm-5:00pm

Monday  Metzger
Varsity  6:00 - 7:30pm Clinic
JVA   4:30 - 6:00pm Clinic
JVB   3:30 -4:45pm Tryouts

Tuesday Metzger
Varsity OFF
JVA   4:30 - 6:00pm Clinic
JVB   3:00 - 4:15pm Clinic

Wednesday  Cy Donnelly
Varsity   5:30 - 7:00pm Clinic
JVA   4:15 -5:30pm Tryouts
JVB   3:00 - 4:15pm Tryouts

Thursday  Metzger
Varsity   5:30pm - 7:00pm Tryouts
JVA   4:15 - 5:30pm Tryouts
JVB   3:00 - 4:15pm Tryouts

Friday  Cy Donnelly
Varsity 5:30 - 7:00pm Tryouts
JVA  4:15 - 5:30pm Tryouts
JVB  3:00 - 4:15pm Tryouts

Saturday  Cy Donnelly
Varsity  2:00 - 4:00pm Tryouts 
JVA TBD
JVB TBD

BOYS SOCCER
Contact Don Corrao - dcorrao@stanthonyshs.org

Monday           OFF

Tuesday          OFF

Wednesday Cy Donnelly
Varsity - 3:30 - 5:00 PM 
JVA OFF
Freshmen OFF

Thursday Metzger
Varsity - 3:30 - 5:00 PM
JVA OFF
Freshmen OFF

Friday All teams OFF

Saturday Metzger
Varsity - OFF
JVA 8:00-10:00AM Tryout
Freshmen 10:15-12:15 Clinic