ST. ANTHONY'S ATHLETICS

ST. ANTHONY'S ATHLETICS

ST. ANTHONY'S ATHLETICS

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL, NY Franciscan Brothers

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL, NY Franciscan Brothers

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL, NY Franciscan Brothers

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ST. ANTHONY'S ATHLETICS

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ST. ANTHONY'S ATHLETICS

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL, NY Franciscan Brothers

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ST. ANTHONY'S ATHLETICS

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ST. ANTHONY'S ATHLETICS

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL, NY Franciscan Brothers

Girls Varsity Soccer


Team News
Game Summaries (12)
CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS SOCCER
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 4 - 0
Girls Soccer Wins League Championships
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 2 - 0
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Kellenberg Memorial High School
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 3 - 0
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Archbishop Molloy High School
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 6 - 0
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. St. John The Baptist HS-West Islip
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 5 - 0
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Sacred Heart Academy-Hempstead
6.0 years ago | Joe Minucci
Win: 1 - 0
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Our Lady of Mercy Academy-Syosset
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 7 - 1
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Holy Trinity High School
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 2 - 1
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Kellenberg Memorial High School
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 2 - 1
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. St. Francis Prep School
6.0 years ago | Sharon Scubla
Win: 7 - 1
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Shenendehowa Central School
6.0 years ago | Joe Minucci
Win: 2 - 0
Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Niskayuna High School
6.0 years ago | Joe Minucci
Win: 1 - 0
News (16)

2018 FALL TRYOUTS


Updated on 06/10/2022

Dear Girls Soccer Candidates:
            I am very excited about the upcoming soccer season at St. Anthony’s High School.  Each year prospective soccer candidates have the opportunity to build upon the history and success of the St. Anthony’s High School soccer program.   Over the years, our program has featured many of the best soccer players on Long Island and regularly compete for championships.  More importantly, our program demands and exudes exemplary character, leadership and citizenship from all members. 
            In order to give you the best opportunity for selection and membership to the St. Anthony’s High School soccer program, I recommend and highlight the following information:

FRIAR SOCCER CAMP: Register and attend Friar Soccer Camp Monday, July 9, 2018 through Thursday July 12, 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, 2018 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:
·      Girls Varsity Soccer                   August 20, 21,22         12:00-1:30pm
·      Girls Junior Varsity Soccer       August 20, 21,22         1:30-3:00pm
·      Girls Freshmen Soccer              August 20,21,22          1:30-3:00pm 

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
 

St. Anthony’s wins state CHSAA girls soccer title


Updated on 06/10/2022

By Desiree Mathurin
?Newsday Nov. 12, 2017

As the final seconds ticked down, the St. Anthony’s girls soccer team started a countdown on the sidelines. A vuvuzela blared monotonously in the stands while Friars fans chanted “Un-de-fea-ted.”

Then time ran out and the Friars completed an undefeated season, officially becoming the state CHSAA champions after defeating Xaverian (Brooklyn), 4-0, Sunday at SUNY-Maritime.

“We kept saying all year ‘We have to win,’ so to come out with the win today is such a good feeling,” Brianna Passaro said. “Knowing everyone came out to see us today builds a whole school camaraderie. It makes winning even better because everyone was here for the moment.”

The Friars went 17-0 this season with 12 shutouts. The defense and goalkeepers allowed only five goals all year.

“It’s amazing to be able to rely on your defense,” said Vanessa Cole, who recorded three saves. “I know if there’s a ball I can’t get to, all I have to do is open my mouth, tell my team where to be and they’ll listen.”

Jenn Bonifazio, defensive center-back, echoed that sentiment: “Our job is not to let goals in and that’s what we’ve been doing all season. It’s really satisfying, knowing that we got our job done and it’s led us here.”

The offense also did its job this season by scoring 62 goals, 20 of them coming from Passaro.

Lauren Hackett scored the first goal three minutes into the game off an assist from Passaro and Bonifazio.

Passaro, with 2:56 left in the half, received the ball from Lauren Haggerty and took a shot at the net. It was slightly deflected but Passaro tried again and scored.

Midway through the second half, Haggerty kicked the ball into play from the corner. After a scramble in front of the net, Alexandra Milano snuck the ball in for another goal. Passaro netted in the final goal, scoring from the right side after a pass from Bonifazio, with two minutes remaining in regulation.

The championship win was the cherry on top of a retribution season. After losing last year in the CHSAA final, the Friars set out to redeem themselves.

“We had a mission this year, to be number one, to be undefeated and we knew every game we won, it didn’t stop there,” Cole said. “We worked harder and harder and it paid off.”

Passaro, who is a junior, is ready to do it all again next season.

“This year was great. It was such a nice win,” Passaro sighed. “What a big relief. Now we have to win again next year. We’re not done yet.”

Varsity Girls’ Soccer Reclaim NSCHSGAA AA Title


Updated on 06/10/2022

By Jr. Friar Michael Recine

On November 1st, St. Anthony’s girls’ varsity soccer brought home the 2017 NSCHSGAA AA Championship. The Friars competed against last year’s competition, Sacred Heart Academy, at Adelphi University. While both teams looked to take home the title, St. Anthony’s blanked Sacred Heart, winning 2-0.

With 18:52 left in the game, sophomore Nicole Gordon, #25, scored the first goal of the game off of an assist by senior Gianna Russo, #10. St. Anthony’s, feeling confident, played defensively and did not let up a goal for the remainder of the match. Capitalizing off of a SHA defender’s mistake, St. Anthony’s senior Lauren Hackett, #24, scored another goal with 10:17 in the game, putting St. Anthonys up by 2.

Friars celebrate their victory

The last time the Friars took on SHA, Oct. 18th, they also won 2-0. The Friars didn’t sleep on SHA though. Coach Sue Alber said the girls prepared very hard to be league champs, with practice, pasta parties, and some motivational speeches from team captains. “All of the players were very focused on the title,” she said, “every single player was driven and willing to do what they had to to come away with a win on Wednesday.”

For two consecutive years, St. Anthony’s has played Sacred Heart in the finals. Last year, the Friars suffered an emotional loss in overtime. With neither team able to score, the game dragged all the way to a shootout. Sacred Heart seized the win, leaving St. Anthony’s devastated, but hungry for revenge. This year, things looked to be more in Saint Anthony’s favor, because the team had the competitive advantage that last year’s team lacked.

The Friars dealt SHA all three of their 2017 season losses, including the Championship match.

The goal this entire year was to go all the way to the finals and get revenge on Sacred Heart, and they did. St. Anthony’s did what they had to do to come home with a win, and are now preparing for the State Championship.

On Saturday, November 11th, 1:00 p.m., St. Anthony’s girls’ varsity soccer plays in the Championship game against Notre Dame Academy at Aviator Sports and Event Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Nicole Gordon’s goal gives Friars CHSAA championship


Updated on 06/10/2022

By Bob Herzog 
Newsday Nov. 1, 2017

Those zeros just didn’t add up.

St. Anthony’s was completely dominating its Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA Class AA girls soccer championship game Wednesday night at Adelphi’s Motamed Field, with a distinct territorial advantage and every shot on goal for the first 61 minutes. But the Friars couldn’t solve Sacred Heart goalkeeper Sara Micheli.

“It was very frustrating,” St. Anthony’s center forward Nicole Gordon said.

Gordon ended the frustration with a goal off a nice cross by Gianna Russo midway through the second half and the Friars went on to a 2-0 victory that gave them the league championship. St. Anthony’s (15-0) will face the Diocese of Manhattan winner in a state Class AA semifinal on Nov. 11 at Aviator Field in Brooklyn.

“When Gianna crossed it, I saw the ball in front and I knew it was my job to get it in,” Gordon said. “Not just for myself but for my team. We were dominating the game and we deserved it.”

Gordon’s well-placed kick gave the Friars some breathing room and forced Sacred Heart (12-4) to break out of its defensive shell and try to attack more. But the Friars’ defense, which has allowed only four goals all season, made it easy for keeper Vanessa Cole to register the shutout. She had to make only one save, while Micheli made 12, including several diving stops.

“Sacred Heart always gives us a good, physical, hard-fought game,” St. Anthony’s coach Sue Alber said. “It took time for us to get that goal. Offensively, our creativity and movement around the goal wasn’t good enough in the first half.”

But it was plenty good enough in the second half. St. Anthony’s iced the contest on Lauren Hackett’s unassisted goal with 10:17 left. “If you’re a good team, you don’t let your frustration show,” Gordon said. “We just kept going. Once we got the first one, I knew we’d get another one, and we did.”

 

Bonifazio’s heady play helps lift St. Anthony’s in soccer


Updated on 06/10/2022

by Owen O'Brien 

St. Anthony’s Lauren Hackett has the luxury of a target few girls soccer players have when sending in a corner kick. It’s Jenn Bonifazio, her self-professed “5-foot-12” teammate.

“Well Jenn’s the biggest person on our team, I’m always looking for her,” Hackett said. “I mean, she sticks out like a sore thumb.”

And with the score tied at home against Holy Trinity Friday, Bonifazio got herself toward the center of the net and headed in the eventual winning goal off a corner kick from Hackett with 12:20 remaining in the game in St. Anthony’s 2-1 victory.

“I try whenever I go in to have the mindset ‘This is going to be mine. This is going to be finished,’ ” said Bonifazio. “People are definitely scared when I go in because I am very tall and people fear that for a corner kick.”

Bonifazio anchored a backline which included Alex Milano, Jackie Murphy, Christine Fabrizi and Sophia Iaccino, with Vanessa Cole making four saves. The Friars controlled the ball the majority of the game, but the Holy Trinity defense and goalkeeper Claire Schmitt had a strong game in net with 22 saves.

“Their keeper was just saving everything,” Hackett said. “I don’t know how, but whatever she was doing was working.”

The Titans (4-2) struck first with a free-kick goal from 43 yards by Mia Asenjo, perfectly placing the ball to the top of net and out of the reach of Cole less than eight minutes into the game.

St. Anthony’s (5-0, 3-0 CHSAA) tied the score at 1 when Brianna Passaro followed her own cross and corralled the loose ball for a goal with 9:56 remaining in the first half.

“I was already running in for the rebound because I could tell there were a lot of rebounds early in the game,” Passaro said. “And it was good I was there because the ball came right out to me.”

The Friars continued the pressure on Holy Trinity, but to no avail until Bonifazio’s header.

“You’ve got to give Holy Trinity credit,” coach Sue Alber said. “They came out, they worked extremely hard. Whenever we had the ball, they dropped a ton of numbers behind.”

But in the end, it was Hackett finding Bonifazio to seal the game’s fate. Something the two continue to work on the pitch, but not on the hardwood, although Hackett, a 5-4 guard on the basketball team, wishes that could happen.

“It was definitely a moment we had to finish,” Bonifazio said. “We definitely should have had more goals but that was a big opportunity. Lauren definitely found me on that and we had to capitalize and I’m happy we did.”

 

Late charge lifts No. 8 St. Anthony's to victory


Updated on 06/10/2022

by Laura Amato on Wed, Oct 18, 2017

The St. Anthony’s junior had a handful of chances on Wednesday afternoon, but continued to come up just short, unable to get her squad on the board. That changed in the waning minutes of regulation however, as Passaro once again found the ball at her feet.

And, that time, she made sure it found the back of the net.

Passaro lifted the Friars to a 2-0 victory over Sacred Heart, connecting on the go-ahead goal in the 63rd minute as her squad wrapped up a perfect regular season.

“I was so determined, especially because the last three shots I had hit the crossbar and the post,” said Passaro, who also scored the lone goal in the first regular-season matchup against the Spartans. “I was so close, I just knew I had to score.”

The squads exchanged offensive chances in the first half, but neither team could get the edge, going into the break knotted at zero-all.

St. Anthony’s, ranked No. 8 in the Tri-State by News 12 Varsity, huddled up on the sideline at halftime and knew something had to change – quickly.

“We kind of changed our formation a little bit, tweaked a few players and moved them around, just based upon how we were playing and how Sacred Heart was playing,” Friars coach Sue Alber said. “I think that really changed the game and towards the last 20 minutes there were just individual players who stepped up another 110 percent.”

The Friars brought pressure from every angle in the second half, controlling possession and notching a handful of prime looks at the net. Sacred Heart's Sara Micheli was a wall in net, though, finishing the game with five saves and effectively frustrating the St. Anthony’s front line.

That all changed when Passaro found an extra bit of determination.

The forward, once again, found herself in front of the net, but, this time, saw a bit of extra space on the field and once she made her move she knew her shot would be the difference-maker.

“The defenders were standing farther apart and when the ball came in I knew I could get it in between them,” Passaro said. “[Micheli] stepped out, so in order to get the ball into the net, I just knew I had to slide it in low and I’d get it into the corner.”

Passaro’s goal gave the Friars (13-0) a bit of late-game confidence, but it was St. Anthony’s defense that held strong down the stretch.

Sacred Heart (11-3) had chances late, including a pair of free kicks in the final 15 minutes of play and the Friars never wavered.

The back line – which gave up just three goals during the regular season – locked in as the minutes ticked down, blocking shots and allowing up only two shots on net.

“They’re reading the game extremely well,” Alber said. “They’ve got a lot of heart, a lot of bite and [goalie Vanessa Cole’s] behind them cheering them on the entire time. I’m very proud of the team and the back four today.”

St. Anthony’s padded its lead with just over four minutes to play, as Sam Adams found Gianna Russo directly in front of the net.

The Friars will celebrate this one for a day or two, but after coming up short of a title last season, St. Anthony’s has its sights on getting back to the top. It’s a brand-new season and almost certainly won’t cut it there.

“We have a lot of confidence going into the playoffs,” Alber said. “In the end it comes down to the team that wants it more on the day and hopefully that’s us.” 

Girls’ Soccer Remains Undefeated with Win Against SHA


Updated on 06/10/2022

By: Friar Sophomore Alex Rocco
Oct. 10, 2017

St. Anthony’s girls’ soccer beat Sacred Heart 1-0 on Friday, September 29th. After the win, the Friars remain undefeated and atop the league standings.

Brianna Passaro scored the lone goal in Friday’s emotional victory.

The Friars came into the matchup with redemption on their mind, seeking to avenge last year’s loss in the NSCHSAA Championship. The Friars’ fiercest competition and biggest rival this season is last year’s champions Sacred Heart, making the win all the more important. “It was a great feeling and I was proud of the girls, they came out focused and determined to win the game and regain our state title back this season,” stated Coach Alber.

Looking forward to the rest of the season, Coach Alber explained that “the team must continue to improve the quality of soccer we are playing and gel both on and off the field. The girls must continue to create and capitalize on scoring chances in and around the box which will help achieve our ultimate goal of winning the league and state championship.”

The Friars aim to compete for another championship with an impressive line-up: at goalkeeper, Vanessa Cole who is a vocal leader and stout goalie; on defense, a solid core of players lead by Jenn Bonifazio, who reliably breaks up other teams’ attack; in midfield, players such as Lauren Haggerty and Melissa DiMonda who act as the engines to the team. Leading the offense is Brianna Passaro who sits in second place in the league, with 12 goals and 17 points.

The future of the team looks extremely promising as well, since the team is comprised of many juniors and up-and-coming sophomores such as Victoria Mule, Sam Adams and Nikki Gordon who have already impacted the team in a big way.

The Friars play Sacred Heart again in the regular season finale, home at CY Donnelly field on October 18th at 4:30pm. Come out and support the team as they wrap up the regular season and get ready for their playoff run.

Aiming for Championship: Varsity Girls’ Soccer Finish Undefeated


Updated on 06/10/2022

By So. Friar  Alex Rocco 

The St. Anthony’s varsity girls’ soccer team closed the season with two shutout wins. On October 16th the Friars beat Kellenberg 3-0, and followed the win with a 2-0 victory against Sacred Heart on October 18th. The victory against Sacred Heart secured first place for the Friars heading into playoffs.

In the Kellenberg match, Samantha Adams, Brianna Passaro, and Lauren Hackett each scored a goal, and goalkeeper Victoria Eisenberg had six saves. Against Sacred Heart, Brianna Passaro, and Gianna Russo each had a goal. Goalkeeper Vanessa Cole had five saves against SHA. The Friars’ backline and goalkeepers have recorded 9 shutouts, with 7 in a row, only allowing a total of 4 goals on the season.

The shutouts bolstered the Friars’ current ranking: #8 in the Tri-state and #1 on Long Island by News 12 Varsity. The team finished their season with an undefeated record of 13-0.

Brianna Passaro, one of the league’s top players and goal scorers, explained how it felt to score the only goal in the first matchup against Sacred Heart Academy, last year’s NSCHSAA Champions. Brianna said scoring the only goal in that game was “a feeling she will never forget” and explained the team came out on the field with “such enthusiasm.”

“Seeing [the team’s] happiness made scoring even better,” Passaro continued. This is what Passaro wants: to be the player on whom the team can always rely. “I always try to put the ball away in those close situations,” said Passaro, which she hopes has earned her teammates trust.

Goalkeeper Vanessa Cole, one of the team’s most vocal leaders, declared that the “Friars are coming for revenge.” Cole said, “it was a great feeling to shut out Sacred heart twice this season”—the team that scored their winning goal on Cole during last year’s league championship. Vanessa admits the games between these two teams are “very personal.”

Gianna Russo, who scored the put away goal against Sacred Heart with 3:04 minutes left in the game, said it felt “great to put away [SHA] and great to have my family and friends there to cheer me on that day.”

The team, though currently first place, believe they can get better going into playoffs. Coach Sue Alber said that “the team will be focusing on different aspects of their game that still need improvement.” According to Alber, the team is focusing on “preparing mentally and physically to play their best, attacking movements with 3 center midfielders and center forward, attacking in wide channels with outside backs, and wingers and focusing on transitions.”

Playoffs begin on Friday, October 27th, 4:30 p.m. at CY Donnelly Field. Come cheer on the Friars as they take on St. John the Baptist High School.

Brianna Passaro’s goal lifts St. Anthony’s in battle of unbeatens


Updated on 06/10/2022

  

It’s not often a program like St. Anthony’s feels the need to prove itself, but after falling short of its goals last season, the players on the girls soccer team had only one thing on their minds.

“The feeling last year walking off the field knowing that we lost, it completely hurt,” defender Jenn Bonifazio said. “It stinks and I think this year, we really wanted to make a statement to let them know who’s coming and who’s going to win this year.”

The Friars made their feelings clear Friday, defeating host Sacred Heart, 1-0, in a rematch of last season’s CHSAA championship. The two teams played 100 minutes of scoreless soccer in last year’s final, before Sacred Heart won on penalty kicks and went on to win the state title.

“That was a huge factor,” Brianna Passaro said. “After that, we weren’t losing again. We’d do anything not to lose.” Passaro backed up her words on the field, scoring the lone goal from 18 yards out with 30:05 remaining in the second half.

“It felt so good to score against the No. 1 team and it was just a big relief,” said Passaro, who leads St. Anthony’s with eight goals this season. “And I knew that after we scored one, we’d be able to pull it together and keep them from scoring, too.” Passaro has earned her teammate’s trust with her play this season for St. Anthony’s (5-0).

 
 
 

“I know whenever I can get the ball to her, she’ll really make good use of the ball and get it in the back of the net,” Bonifazio said. “Because whenever she does get it, she always does something with it.”

Coach Sue Alber credited her entire team for a strong game, in which the Friars controlled possession with a strong defense and midfielders such as Lauren Haggerty, Lauren Hackett, Melissa DiMonda and Victoria Mule.

“You lose a league final, you want revenge,” Alber said. “There was an extra chip on our shoulder today.”

Goalkeeper Vanessa Cole had 10 saves, including a key stop on a free kick from barely outside the 18-yard box with two minutes remaining. Sara Micheli had 14 saves for Sacred Heart (5-1).

“Coming into this season, we didn’t know if we would be the most talented team and we didn’t really know where the new players were going to lead us and how’d we play together,” Cole said. “And honestly, it feels great to know [they] really keep their heads in the game and they know what it’s like to want to win.”

 

 

Girls Varsity Head Soccer Coach Inducted into Hall of Fame


Updated on 06/10/2022

Sue Alber (Weber), St. Anthony’s Girls Varsity Head Soccer Coach is inducted into the first girls high school hall of fame for the NYSSCOGS. With her varsity team in attendnce to watch her induction they kicked off the weekend celebration with 2 tournement wins of 1-0 and 2-0 vs. Niskayuna HS and Shenendehowa respectfully.

Alber was the first soccer All-American at Hofstra and women's league Defender of the Year in 2008, Sue Weber, was drafted in the third round (18th overall) by the Breakers in the WPS General Draft.

After becoming a member of the U-17 National Team and a National Pool player from 2000 to 2003, Weber joined the Long Island Rough Riders in 2008, picking up All-Star honors in addition to Defender of the Year award.

She helped to anchor a defense that tied for fourth in the women's league and allowed only seven goals in 14 games in arguably the league’s most competitive division in the league.

Weber, a physical education major at Hofstra, also led Rough Riders in minutes played. She led the Long Island Fury to the 2006 Women’s Premier Soccer League to a national championship and assisted on the game-winning goal in the title game.

She was named to the All-WPSL First Team in 2007 after helping the Fury to a 9-2-2 record.

Weber started her college career at Georgia, where she started every game her freshman year and was named to the SEC All-Rookie team. She transferred back to her Long Island, NY home and became a two-time All-American at Hofstra in 2005 and 2007.

She led the Pride of Hofstra to their first two NCAA tournament appearances and a school record 18 wins in 2007. While at Hofstra, Weber was a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year and two-time CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

In 2007, she was named as the CAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year and First-Team Academic All-American. She did not miss a single minute of play throughout her college career at both Hofstra and Georgia.

While attending Islip High School on Long Island, Weber lettered in soccer, basketball, and track and was named to the McDonald's All-America team and was one of Soccer Buzz’ Top 50 Recruits. She was also named a NSCAA/Adidas High School All-American as a senior.

She captained the Massapequa Spirit club team to two state championships and was the Eastern New York State Olympic Development Program team captain.

By Todd Civin
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/178805-meet-the-boston-breakers-sue-weber

 

Three Weeks in A Row


Updated on 06/10/2022

St. Anthony's Girls Softball holds onto the #1 ranking for the third week in a row on Long Island

In the Big 10 Category holding at 18-1 Record. 

FALL AWARDS NIGHT


Updated on 06/10/2022

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Team Scholar Jennifer Bonnifazio : Team Captain, comitted to Fairfield University. First Team All-State. Newsday Second Team All LI, News 12 LI First Team All LI.

Team MVP Brianna Passaro: Scored 20 goals and 10 assists.  Her outstanding year earned her:
Named to the United Soccer Coaches Fall Girls High School All-East Region Team, All East Region Award, New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports Co-Player of the Year.
NSCHSGAA Play of the Year, NSCHSGAA All League, News 12 Varsity Girls Soccer player of the Year?Newsday First Team ALL LI, News 12 Varsity First Team All LI, First Team All-State 

In her third year at St. Anthony's Head Coach Sue Alber has earned 3 League and State Titles, named Coach of the Year for catholic school twice, 2017 NYS Coach of the Year and Newsday All Long Island Coach of the Year. The 2017 team finished 17-0 outscoring opponents 62-5 and finished the season ranked 11 in the nation.


All League: Jennifer Bonifazio, Vanessa Cole, Melissa DiMonda, Lauren Haggerty, Brianna Passaro, Gianna Russo, 

2017 All Long Island Soccer Play of the Year


Updated on 06/10/2022

by Dylan Butler 

Congratulations: Brianna Passaro named  2017 All Long Island Soccer Player of the Year!

Junior Passaro went from a part-time starter as a sophomore to being the most dangerous scoring threat on a team that captured the CHSAA state title. Extremely technical with great vision with an uncanny ability to turn defenders to either create her own shot or set up a teammate, the Duquesne commit, who had 20 goals and 10 assists, was the NYS Class AA Co-Player of the Year.  

ALL LONG ISLAND FIRST TEAM 
Jenn Bonifazio 
A three-year varsity player and second-year starting defender, the Fairfield-bound senior made the move centrally from outside back and was a dominant force on a Friars backline that conceded just five goals in 17 games. Bonifazio, who reads the game well and was difficult to beat one-v-one, was also a threat in the air on set pieces. 

ALL LONG ISLAND HONORABLE MENTION
VANESSA COLE  Sr. Goalkeeper 

All Long Island Team and Coach Honors


Updated on 06/10/2022

Jr. Froward Brianna Passaro

Passaro led the CHSAA with 20 goals and 10 assists, including two goals and an assist in the each of the state semifinal and championship games. Her scoring ability fueled St. Anthony's to an undefeated CHSAA state championship season.

Sr. Defender Jenn Bonifazio, earned All Long Island second team

Suffolk Coach of the Year: Sue Alber, St. Anthony’s

Alber guided St. Anthony's to its second state CHSAA championship in the past three seasons, finishing 17-0.

St. Anthony’s allowed only five goals in 17 games en route to state title


Updated on 06/10/2022

By Desiree Mathurin desiree.mathurin@newsday.com
December 2, 2017 

Scoring goals are essential in any win but an offense is only as good as its defense. Luckily for the St. Anthony’s girls soccer, team they don’t struggle on either side of the field.

Offensively, the Friars scored 62 goals for the season, a fantastic feat on its own. But the highlight was the team’s daunting defense. The Friars allowed only five goals in 17 games, going on a nine-game shutout streak to finish the regular season.

It’s no wonder St. Anthony’s went undefeated and won the state CHSAA championship. And yes, the Friars’ win in the title game was a shutout.

“Our back line and goalkeeper were exceptional this year,” coach Sue Alber said. “I believe it was the most shutouts and least goals allowed in my four years here.”

The Friars, after losing to Sacred Heart last year in the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA final, were on a mission all season, determined to remain undefeated and win the state title.

None of the Friars’ opponents scored more than one goal in a game all season. Four of the goals allowed were on set pieces.

“It’s all about preventing the shot before it happens, especially with me being so short” senior goalie Vanessa Cole said. “Communication is key. Nobody in the back line, including myself, ever gets offended when other teammates made demands because we all want what’s best for the team.”

Cole’s boisterous cheers and instructions in the net make her the tallest girl on the field. With her sight advantage, Cole gives advice to the entire team ensuring that no opponent gets near her and that the offense sees every hole.

“Vanessa never hesitated to give directions,” senior center back Jenn Bonifazio said. “We were always on the same page and became a really close group.”

Both Bonifazio and Cole agreed that while the defense did their jobs, the offense was always reliable. Whenever they passed the ball to the offense, they knew it was in good hands.

Brianna Passaro was the team’s leading scorer, netting 20 goals and assisting on 10 others. The humble junior credits the team for her success.

Next season, Passaro and St. Anthony’s will attempt to do it all again.

“I think that the whole team really proved themselves this year,” Passaro said. “We were a team and everyone played their role. We all encouraged each other and that’s what made us get so far.”

St. Anthony’s gets to final, extends unbeaten streak to 16


Updated on 06/10/2022

By Desiree Mathurin
?Newsday Nov. 11, 2017

For St. Anthony’s girl’s soccer, this season was about retribution. For the seniors, this was their final chance to make it to the CHSAA state championship and make up for the mishaps of last season.

Well revenge is a dish best served cold and in the frigid temperatures the Friars did just that. St. Anthony’s extended it’s undefeated streak to 16 and advances to the final after defeating Staten Island’s Notre Dame Academy, 8-1, Saturday.

“Last year was a total heartbreak, losing in the league finals to Sacred Heart,” Brianna Passaro said. “To win in the semis by this much feels really good and it gives us a lot of energy for the finals.”

Passaro along with the rest of Friars were on a similar undefeated train last season, until Sacred Heart derailed their momentum. Since then the goal has been to get back on the path and win it all.

“Coming back this year the whole goal for the season was to beat Sacred Heart and now that we’ve done that, we just feel like we can’t stop now,” Lauren Hackett said. “Now we have to win the championship.”

Hackett started the scoring off for the Friars 30 seconds into the first half off an assist from Gianna Russo. Hackett assisted on the next goal by Nicole Gordon with 27 minutes remaining in the half. Notre Dame scored their lone goal with 20 minutes left in the half, but the Friars answered soon after with a goal from Amanda Andriano assisted by Gordon.

In the second half Russo and Gordon scored with assists from Hackett and Passaro, respectively. Passaro netted in the final two goals. The last goal was first caught by Notre Dame goalie and then dropped. Passaro rushed to the mistake and netted in the ball with 14 minutes remaining in the game.

“We didn’t go into this game lightly. We went in with the same energy we always have because everyday brings something different and every team brings something different,” said Passaro. “But winning 8-1, not only does it give us a lot of confidence but it also brings fear to the other team.”

The Friars (16-0) defense and goaltenders have been fearful all season. Including the semi-finals, the Friars have only allowed five goals, recording 11 shutouts. Vanessa Cole and Victoria Eisenberg both had one save in Saturday’s game.

“I’m really proud of our defenders,” Russo said. “They haven’t really let up any goals this season.”

St. Anthony’s will face Brooklyn’s Xaverian High School in the State Finals Sunday 1 p.m. at SUNY Maritime in the Bronx. The Friars are one game away from making their revenge season even sweeter.

“We’re going to come out [Sunday] ready to win and ready to play,” Passaro said. “We have one game left and we all want it so badly.”

 

https://friarathletics.org