Boys soccer: Grossman headlines the Journal's 2022 All-Stars
Player of the Year
Clement Grossman
School: Haldane
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfield
Vital stats: There is the jovial spirit and laidback attitude that endears him to teammates in practice, and the immediate flip of a switch during games that transforms Grossman into a fierce competitor with a single-minded focus. There also is the production. Grossman was the conductor of a high-powered engine, leading Haldane to its first Class C state championship.
The attacking midfielder led Section 1 in scoring, ringing up 24 goals and a section-best 18 assists. He scored the lone goal in their state semifinal and assisted the dramatic winning goal in the final minutes of the state final.
"Clem is the one who kept our offense running," Blue Devils coach Ahmed Dwidar said. "He worked hard and improved significantly over the last year, and it showed on the field. He's got a very high soccer IQ, sees the field well and makes great decisions. He's a really gifted player and he made things happen for us."
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First team
Andre Alzate
School: Beacon
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Vital stats: An excellent finisher with smooth footwork and savvy, he had 18 goals and four assists, helping the Bulldogs reach the Class A state final and earning all-Section 9 honors. Alzate scored several clutch goals, including the winner in the state semifinals.
Grant Bryant
School: John Jay-East Fishkill
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield, defender
Vital stats: A four-year starter who shined defensively, he was a leader in words and by example, who helped guide the Patriots to the Section 1 Class AA semifinals. With his improved skills on the ball, along with his talents as a passer, he seamlessly transitioned to the midfield this season and earned all-section.
Michael Cocca
School: Arlington
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield, forward
Vital stats: Described by coach Craig Sanborn as "the heart and soul" of this team, Cocca demonstrated a tireless drive to improve and he connected easily with teammates. He also was a strong passer and finisher inside, tallying eight goals and seven assists to help an underrated Arlington squad go 13-4. Cocca, who scored 11 game-winning goals in his career, earned all-Section 1 and all-state selections this fall.
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Ryan Eng-Wong
School: Haldane
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Vital stats: Athletic, skilled and relentless on the attack, Eng-Wong emerged this season as an elite finisher. He led Section 1 with 38 goals, set a program record with 69 for his career, and notched the winner with 1:20 left in the state final. Eng-Wong was named all-section and all-state.
AJ Geis
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfielder
Vital stats: The defensive midfielder excelled at getting and maintaining possession and moving the ball in transition, which garnered him all-Section 9 honors. Geis was an anchor for a team whose defense and ball movement led them to the state Class A final.
Colin MacDonald
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
Vital stats: He was productive and demonstrated his versatility, changing positions to fill needs. Described by coach Steve Sutton as a “stabilizing force” wherever he was on the field, MacDonald had eight goals and four assists, leading the Raiders to the Section 9 Class A final.
Aidan Prezzano
School: Rhinebeck
Grade: Junior
Position: Midfield
Vital stats: The center midfielder exhibits "great technical skill and vision," Hawks coach Justin Wiesenthal said. Prezzano stepped into a greater leadership role this season and delivered, helping Rhinebeck win the Section 9 Class C championship. The all-section pick had 18 goals and 12 assists in 13 games.
Miguel Ruiz
School: Beacon
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfielder
Vital stats: He controlled the field on both ends, helping orchestrate the offense and anchor the defense. Ruiz played with strength and smarts, and demonstrated "exceptional tackling and passing ability," Bulldogs coach Craig Seaman said. He had eight goals and five assists, leading Beacon to a second straight Section 9 Class A title and its first state final.
Jared Sanborn
School: Arlington
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield, defender
Vital stats: His size and athleticism helped him thrive and anchor a defense that allowed only eight goals in 17 games. Sanborn's ability to contest and win balls, maintain possession and set up teammates enabled him to thrive in a breakthrough season, earning all-Section 1 honors.
William Sniffen
School: Haldane
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
Vital stats: The two-time Journal All-Star was a defensive maven whose pressure made it difficult for ball-carriers to maneuver, and whose hustle thwarted several fast breaks. Sniffen led a defense that recorded 14 shutouts, including two 1-0 wins in the state final four. He was named all-Section 1 and all-state.
Dylan Updike
School: Spackenkill
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward, midfield, defender
Vital stats: A dynamic weapon whose talents were utilized at every position this season, he starred and helped the Spartans reach the Section 9 Class B semifinals. Updike had 23 goals and eight assists and was voted all-section.
Ned Van Loan
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Goalkeeper
Vital stats: He was a stalwart and the constant throughout the Warriors' brilliant season. As the team advanced and the stakes were raised, Van Loan shined brighter, delivering under pressure. He was the hero in their regional semifinal upset of Briarcliff, starring in the round of penalty kicks. A tall and athletic goalie, he made 102 saves, several of which were acrobatic stops, and earned all-Section 9 and all-state honors.
Ryan Zindler
School: Roy C. Ketcham
Grade: Junior
Position: Forward
Vital stats: He flourished this season as a scorer, showcasing his quickness and savvy in creating space, and his excellent placement in finishing. Zindler had 17 goals and eight assists, helping elevate a young team, and earned all-Section 1 honors.
Second team
Felix Adams, Rhinebeck, M, Sr.
Jordan Dixon, John Jay-East Fishkill, M, Sr.
Carter Donohue, Red Hook, D, Jr.
Nate Garner, Roy C. Ketcham, M, Sr.
Connor Howe, John Jay-East Fishkill, F, Sr.
Alex Kemnitzer, Rhinebeck, G, Sr.
Nolan Kozera, Millbrook, F, Sr.
Gavin Ladue, Beacon, D, Sr.
Alex McAteer, Marlboro, G, Jr.
Karl Menuau, Our Lady of Lourdes, F, Sr.
Dariel Ochoa, Dover, F, Sr.
Christopher Phillips, Spackenkill, D, Sr.
Jeet Shahani, Spackenkill, M, Sr.
Robert Sherman, Arlington, F, Jr.
Jack Yough, Our Lady of Lourdes, D, So.
Honorable mention
Arlington: Christian Lasek, D, Sr.
Beacon: Thomas Robinson, D, Sr.
Dover: Andrew Flint, G, Sr.; Elmer Oliveros, M/F, Sr.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Luan Boyd, M, Jr.; Jaret Cruz, M, So.; Brandon Isabell, G, Jr.
Haldane: Ronan Kiter, G, Jr.; Matthew Nachamkin, D, Jr.; Max Westphal, M, Jr.
John Jay-East Fishkill: Lucas Arouca, M, Jr.; Joey Moore, D, Sr.; Erik Popp, M, Sr.; Derek Viebrock, F, Jr.
Marlboro: Jake Brown, F/M, So.
New Paltz: Clive Cunniff, D, Jr.; Harry Edelman, G, So.; Isait Flores, F, Sr.; Hugo Kay, F/M, Jr.
Our Lady of Lourdes: Evan Cancro, M, So.; Zach Cervone, F, So.; Alex Crysler, M, Jr.; Sam Escalares, D, Jr.; Colin Gaddoniex, D, Jr.
Red Hook: Giacomo Buitoni, M, So.; Raphael Senterfit-Sanjuan, M, Sr.
Rhinebeck: Noah Roger, D, Sr.
Roy C. Ketcham: Dominic Abbatiello, M, Jr.; Tommy Cornelius, D, Sr.; Tyler Jankowski, M, Sr.
Spackenkill: Christian Balbo, M, Sr.; Davis Barnes, F, So.; Travis Kilpert, D/M, Sr.; Andrew McDermott, G, Sr.; Andrew Speranza, M, Sr.
Webutuck: Alex Caldiero, M, Fr.
Coach of the Year
Ahmed Dwidar
School: Haldane
Vital stats: He led a rebuild of the program, helping transform what was a two-win team four seasons ago into a powerhouse. The Blue Devils went 18-2 and were the first boys team at Haldane to win a state championship. "I still smile every time I see the medal," Dwidar said. "We're still getting congratulated and recognized, and it's one of the best feelings in the world. The players were tremendous, and we couldn't have done it without my assistant coaches John Rotando, Ramsey Heitmann, Aldo Tropeano and Dan Rotando. I'm incredibly proud of our team."
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Boys soccer: Haldane's Grossman headlines Journal's 2022 All-Stars
