Congratulations BRIANNA PASSARO ‘18

She was the 2018 Newsday Player of the Year
Had 21 goals and 11 assists in a CHSAA state championship season as a senior.
Two-time All-Long Island selection
Graduated with 46 goals and 24 assists over three seasons
Named High School Scholar All American by Unites Soccer Coaches Association
NYS Player of the Year for 2 years in a row
Named United Soccer All Regional Player
Currently Playing at Hofstra

2019 League and State Champions (3rd Consecutive year)

Team MVP: Brianna Jablonoski
Team Academic Scholar: Kaitlyn Mahoney

This season the SA girls varsity soccer team went 16-2-2 playing top ranked teams in the nation and winning another league and state championship. The team was lead by captains Kaitlyn Mahoney, Victoria mule, Brianna Jablonowski, Sam Adams and Nikki Gordon. This team faced adversity along the way losing and tying to top ranked opponents and missing two key starters.  In the state championship games) but they always found a way to overcome adversity and shine in the moments that mattered.

The girls defended their league title with a 1-0 victory over Kellenberg. Olivia Perez was named player of the game and Brianna Jablonowski was named MVP of the league.  

The championship win propelled the team to their third straight state playoff the culminated with a 2-1 win over a tough and talented Xaverian team.

The trio of Nicole Gordon, Victoria Mule and Sam Adams leave SA having won 3 straight state championships in their 3 years on varsity. These 3 players and the entire senior class leave behind a legacy for players and teams to follow.

Head Coach Sue Alber

Coach Alber has been a coach at St. Anthony's since 2014 and took over as the Varsity Head Coach in 2015. Coach Alber was a high school and college All American as well as an Academic All American. She is also a member of the NYS High School Soccer Hall of Fame.  During Coach Alber’s St. Anthony’s coaching career, the team has won five league and state titles.

St. Anthony's wins the CHSAA girls soccer state championship in Hicksville on Nov. 10, 2019. Credit: Peter Frutkoff

By Owen O'Brien Newsday

When Samantha Adams, Victoria Mule and Nicole Gordon first stepped onto the St. Anthony’s varsity soccer field before their sophomore seasons, winning multiple state championships was the last thing on their mind. They were more worried about figuring out how they would see time on the pitch.

“I was intimidated being the youngest on the team, not really knowing how much playing time I was going to get,” said Mule, a Smithtown resident. “So I think that just made me work harder and want it more. The talent level was high.”

Fast forward to the fall of their senior season when the trio hoisted their third straight CHSAA state championship, the only three members of this year’s team to be on the team since being sophomores. St. Anthony’s defeated Xaverian, 2-1, at Holy Trinity High School to win ithe title on Nov. 10.

“I wasn’t aware of how much we could accomplish,” said Northport's Adams. “I didn’t even know what 'states’ was when I first joined. But just seeing the team’s talent and how much everyone got along, you could tell we were going to do great things and help St. Anthony’s soccer.”

Even though the players didn’t think three straight championships was possible, it didn’t mean it wasn’t a goal once they saw the on-field success.

“I definitely did not think about three years in a row until we won the second one,” said Gordon, who lives in Amityville. “You can’t really think about it until it’s happening. You can set goals, but when it’s happening, that’s when you have to finish.”

Coach Sue Alber credited the leadership and experience of the three-year players, along with the rest of the team for another championship season.

“They kind of transformed the program because I don’t know how long it’s been since we won three in a row,” Alber said. “But I think they were a big part of the reason.”

And the trio turned the compliment back around to their coach.

“Obviously after every season you always wonder what the next season will be like with different players,” Gordon said. “It’s really a mentality among the team and coach Sue was there all three years, so she’s a big reason why.”

The Friars (16-2-2) had balanced scoring all season, with 33 points by Gordon (19 goals, 14 assists) and 32 points by Brianna Jablonowski (19 goals, 13 assists), according to Newsday records. Adams had 16 goals and eight assists, despite missing time with an injury, including the state championship game.

On the defensive side, Mule, Natalie DeMasi, Sonni Adams, Eva Lavecchia, Milan Carey and Chiara Greco all contributied with Kaitlyn Mahoney in goal. Olivia Perez, named state championship game MVP, and Emily Riggins had strong seasons at midfield.

“It’s definitely going to be hard to find another team as close as us these three years, but what will stick with me is nothing is impossible,” Gordon said. “I had no idea walking on this team that we could win the state championship, so it goes beyond what you thought was even possible.”

By Laura Amato Newsday

Kaitlyn Mahoney was counting down the seconds.

The St. Anthony’s senior goalkeeper weathered some late pressure in the state CHSAA girls soccer championship at Holy Trinity Sunday, but held strong in net, directing the Friars’ defense and waiting for the final whistle. As soon as it came, Mahoney was swarmed by teammates, celebrating a 2-1 victory over Xaverian and a third straight title.  

“I was counting right until it hit the end,” said Mahoney, who finished with eight saves. “When I saw double zeros, I was just thinking, my high school career is over, but I wouldn’t spend it with anyone else and I wouldn’t trade my team for the world.”

After St. Anthony’s jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, netting both goals in the first six minutes, Xaverian’s Giana Romano made it a one-goal game with 27:18 left. The Friars (16-0-1) responded quickly, locking in on defense and slowing down offensive rushes.

“I give a lot of credit to Xaverian,” coach Sue Alber said. “A 2-0 lead is a scary lead and they go down and score. Then you’re kind of back on your heels. We had to defend most of the second half.”

With Xaverian looking to net the equalizer in the final minutes, Mahoney was a wall in net and a general for St. Anthony’s back line. She said the Friars dropped the midfield back and marked up on the Clippers forwards, allowing St. Anthony’s to bring “pressure, two on one.”

“That helped out because then we were able to shut some of their girls down,” Mahoney said. “They were able to get some shots, but it was less than what they would have had if we didn’t do that.”

Mahoney made sure one of those Xaverian shots didn’t find the back of the net in dramatic fashion, coming off her line with just under 19 minutes left, and making a save from her back.

"If I hesitate, anything can happen, so I have to make a decision either to stay back or go forward,” Mahoney said of her mindset. “I chose to go forward. I just hoped for the best.”

The Friars’ defense played hero late, but St. Anthony’s first-half goals gave the team some breathing room down the stretch. Sophomore forward Olivia Perez got the scoring started off an assist from senior Nicole Gordon’s in the third minute. Sophomore Emily Riggins followed up less than three minutes later off an assist from junior Gina Maucere.

“I knew I had to get it in,” Perez said of her goal. “When we got those first two goals, we knew that the rest of the game was all us.”

Alber called the game “the most challenging state championship,” the Friars have had during their streak, but said she was proud of the defense and pleased to see two sophomores score. St. Anthony’s is hoping that’s a sign of things to come, looking to build toward another championship next season.

“It’s never easy to win state championships,” Alber said. “The senior class has been great, and they’ve left their mark on the program. Hopefully in the years to come, we can continue doing it.”

The girls varsity soccer team’s current 7-0-1 has shown real dominance this season outscoring opponents 28-3. The CHSAA league hosts two additional strong Long Island teams in Kellenberg and Sacred Heart. They tied with Kellenburg this season and faced Sacred Heart on Friday Oct. 2nd at SH. The Friars remain undefeated vs. the Lady Spartans, going 5-0 in the last three years and know this will be one of their toughest games. The Friday game against Sacred Heart puts some pressure on the girls as they work toward their 3rd CHSAA championship title victory.

The girls proved to be an unstoppable force after defeating their biggest rival SH Friday 2-0. Seniors Sam Adams and Nicole Gordon again cultivated the sweet spot of a steady score stream, with Adams and Senior Brianna Jablonowski credited with the assists. Kaitlyn Mahoney carved an impressive seven saves and an over-the-crossbar save to keep the Spartans scoreless. Adams and Gordon are currently 1 & 2 respectively in points scoring both at 11 with Gorden having one less assist then Adams with 6. 

Against a strong Kellenberg Senior Kylie McShea had to hold down 12 saves just to keep the powerful Friars offense at bay on September 19th. With the game ending in 0-0 tie, the two time CHSAA state champions have a bullseye on their back getting the best competition out of all their competitors when they play.

Jablonowski proved a reliable team member for the Friars, for the most recent games. She is currently the third leading point scorer in the league.  In 2018 she helped her team clutch their 2nd victory CHSAA championship. The Virginia commit also scored a crushing 20 goals and six assists last season. Where she scored two goals from the 2018 state semifinals in a 3-0 championship games vs. Sacred Heart Academy.

Qualifying as one of the select 40 to play in the Allstate All-American Cup in Orlando, Jablonowski will break between midfield and forward this season, with her exceptional foot skills putting even her coach in amazement. This year’s season highlights strength from the core senior force on the field: Gordon, Mahoney, Victoria Mule, Adams and Jablonowski.

The girls soccer team will continue to guard these ground-breaking records, with the Iona commit defender and midfielder Mule who fearless attacking style on the offensive, scored an impressive two goals and three assists last year at league champs, Thanks to her agility and athleticism on the field she is a strong leader on the team.

Goalkeeper Mahoney was a very critical part toward the CHSAA State championships last year. The two-year starter never fails to stop the ball with her hand skills for her team’s sake, as well as leading her team with her vocal skills. She never hesitates to use her voice to help her team to the goldmine- or to step her foot off the line. The UConn Husky commit will prove to be an excellent vocal leader for her new team. She holds the number 2 spot on the leaderboard in saves with 56 this season. 

“I think it’s a different type of hard. Each position has its job and mine is to be a leader as well as a force in the net.” responds senior Kaitlyn Mahoney when asked about the difficulty of her position and how it distinguishes from other positions. 

“When the competition is intense I do find it hard but that’s what I love about the game. The challenge, the drive and the adrenaline rush of stepping out on the field or making a big time save is the best thing about the sport in my opinion.”

She redeems herself as enthusiastic and highly willing to take on the supplemental challenges which come with being the team’s goalkeeper. 

Mahoney elaborates on how she works to overcome the challenges she recognizes on the field. “Everything one may try to accomplish in life may be hard at one time or another but it’s the effort put in and the desire to produce effective results that make it seem a little easier. My position may seem hard to others, but in turn it’s challenging aspects is what drove me to choose it in the first place.” What the girls will show at their home games will most likely assure the crowd the Friars are in good condition.

Come out and support the Friars in their next home game on Friday October 11th vs. Strongsville High School and Sunday vs. #19 McDonough High School.  

By; Heather Occhino is a senior at St. Anthony’s, writing for her second year on Friar News. She is also a member of Creative Writing Club, Special Needs Ministry, Chorus and Theater Arts. She plans to major in English for college and become a journalist.

For the past three years Head Coach Sue Alber has been taking the girls soccer team to the NYSSCOGS New York High School Soccer Hall of Fame Tournament.  Alber is part of the inaugural class of 2017 and enjoys supporting the hall of fame weekend.  "It’s important for the girls to see and hear other’s’s HS journeys and experiences they go through to reach this level of success,” said Alber.  The weekend consists of 52 teams each playing twice and SA facing fresh competition before going into the league play.

The weekend kicks off with SA showing real command over the ball with an 8-2 win over Our Lady of Mercy Rochester on Sept. 7th.
Goals by: Sami Adams 2, Nikki Gordon 2, Emily Riggins, Victoria Mule, Brianna Jablonowski, and Silvana Bartolotta
Assist by: Chiara Gerco 2, Gordon, Gina Maucere, Victoria Mule and Adams
Saves: 8 Kate Mahoney 

The Friars felt confident going into Sunday’s game vs. a strong Shenendehowa team. “They have been the best competition we have faced in the five years as head coach at SA. Adams scored the game winner in first half but Shen came back and scored its only goal in the second half putting us on our heels,” said Alber.
Nine saves by Mahoney, Goals by Jablonowski and Adams and Assist by Adams.

The Friars enjoy this weekend for several reasons and Alber will continue to support the Hall of Fame Game. The weekend provides great competition, a good look at her new team each season and allows for great team bonding. As the SA enters league play they hope to build off this success and captures its third straight CHSAA and State Titles.

By Senior Friar Heather Occhino

In 2017 Head Coach Sue Alber was inducted into the first NYSSCOGS/New York State High School Girls Soccer Hall of Fame, “an organization that is committed to honoring the region’s best and brightest in regards to high school girls soccer” stated by the NYSSCOGS. The team returns each season to play in the hall of fame game and each year they are a team to beat. 

The Friars will face two tough schools in Rochester Mercy at 5:30 p.m. on Sept 7th and Shenendehowa Sunday at 9 a.m.  Rochester (1-1) and Shen (1-0-1) bring plenty of depth to the game as #1 ranked Long Island Friars looks to boost its 2019 record (2-0) in its chase for a third League Championship title.

Alber returns each year to play in this tournament where they are 4-0 in the last two years and hope to stay undefeated.

GOOD LUCK FRIARS

a snippet of Alber from 2009
By Todd Civin
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/178805-meet-the-boston-breakers-sue-weber

With today's heat index times changes where made to some schedules

JVB Boys Soccer is being moved to 5pm in the student center. 

Girls JVA and JVB moves to 5pm on the front field. 

Girls varsity soccer same time in the student center. 

Eighty of the best high school soccer players in the country set to converge on the University of Central Florida Soccer Complex. 

Including Friar Senior Brianna Jablonowski

Nation's elite players to be led by American soccer legends.

The spotlight will be on high school soccer's elite Wednesday as 80 of the nation's top players take the field for the Allstate All-America Cup in Orlando.

American soccer legends Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Brian McBride and Taylor Twellman will lead their respective teams into the nationally-televised Cup contests.

From a list of 250 Allstate All-Americans named during high school soccer's 2019-20 seasons, 40 boys and 40 girls were selected to participate in the inaugural event.

Here's a primer for Wednesday's matches:

Location: University of Central Florida Soccer Complex, Orlando, Fla.

Kickoffs: Noon ET (boys), 2 p.m. ET (girls)

Television/Streaming: ESPNU, ESPN App

Rosters: Complete list of Allstate All-Americans participating can be found here.

Orlando is also the site for Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game pitting the MLS All-Stars against La Liga powerhouse Atletico Madrid. Allstate All-American Cup participants will be introduced at halftime of that showcase.

For more information on the event, visit AllstateCup.com or follow via Twitter @AllstateCup.

By: Max Preps Staff Report

FRIAR SOCCER CAMP: Register and attend Friar Soccer Camp Monday, July 15, 2019 through Thursday July 18, 2018 from 9:00am-2:30pm each day at St. Anthony’s High School.  You may register by visiting https://friarsummercamp.org/online-camp-registration/.

FITNESS STANDARD:  Competing at the highest level of players requires peak physical fitness capabilities. Each player should commence a formal physical fitness routine by July 15, 2019 in order to be match fit and ready for our pre season tryouts and training.  All players will be tested for minimum standards including the 1.5 mile run, 120 yard shuttle test and 300 yard shuttle test.

TRYOUTS:  Be prepared.  Be physical and mentally ready.  Be committed to the school program.  Be respectful of the school history and reputation and all the players who preceded you.  If you are not present for these tryouts, you may not be eligible to participate on a St. Anthony’s High School soccer team. Please wear a WHITE SHIRT (with your last name clearly printed on the back).  In addition, please bring a properly inflated soccer ball, shin guards, soccer shoes, running shoes and water.  In order to be considered, each candidate must attend tryouts as follows:
Everyone Must have the Appryse process complete and a current physical on file in order to try out.

August 19th, 20th, 21st

      Varsity 12-1:30pm Cy Donnelly Field
      JVA & JVB 1:30 - 3:00 pm Cy Donnelly Field

St. Anthony’s High school offers three separate soccer team: (a) Varsity; (b) Junior Varsity; and (c) Freshman. All three levels are important to the program and the development of our athletes. 
                                                                                              

SUE ALBER
Girls Varsity Soccer Coach