Advertisement

Here's a breakdown of the Section 1 Boys Soccer Tournament, including predictions and MVPs

mike dougherty, rockland/westchester journal news
·6 min read

Ready or not, the postseason is upon us.

The first round gets under way on Friday and play continues until Oct. 28-29 when five champions are crowned at Lakeland High School. Here is a quick rundown of what's to be expected in the coming week's along with a look at the MVP candidates and early predictions:

John Jay's Austin Seipp gains on Arlington's Gavin Flynn during a September 13, 2023 boys soccer game.
John Jay's Austin Seipp gains on Arlington's Gavin Flynn during a September 13, 2023 boys soccer game.

Class AAA

Built to win it all: Arlington has to be the favorite, but there are probably six teams with a chance to claim a sectional title. Getting through a stingy Admirals defense is the biggest issue for the other contenders. Arlington posted 11 shutouts this season.

Good enough to go deep: John Jay-East Fishkill improved on the fly after starting the season 3-2. Ossining is 7-3 in games decided by one goal, but needs to play under control from the start.

Not giving up without a fight: North Rockland won 12 games and will at home up to the final. Ketcham has wins over Arlington and John Jay. New Rochelle is overcoming the health issues that were an issue all season and is capable of making the favorites nervous.

The MVP candidates: Robert Sherman, Sr., F, Arlington; Nick Giorgi, Sr., G, Arlington; Kenny Mocha, Sr., MF, Ossining; Derek Viebrock, Sr., MF, John Jay-East Fishkill;Mohammed Fadl, Sr., F, North Rockland; David Urritia, Sr., F, New Rochelle.

And the winner is: There is no easy path. Let’s go with Arlington, John Jay-East Fishkill, North Rockland and Ossining to make the semifinals. Arlington tops Ossining in a tension-filled championship game.

Up next: The winner plays against the Section 4 champion Nov. 1 at Yorktown High School.

Scarsdale defeated New Rochelle 2-1 in boys soccer action at New Rochelle High School Sept. 21, 2023.
Scarsdale defeated New Rochelle 2-1 in boys soccer action at New Rochelle High School Sept. 21, 2023.

Class AA

Built to win it all: Scarsdale is loaded again. The defending state champions have rattled off 35 consecutive wins and are beating quality opponents without a lot of drama.

Good enough to go deep: Eastchester has enough balance and scoring punch to be a threat. Somers is highly motivated and very talented. Neither team matches the postseason experience the Raiders possess.

Not giving up without a fight: Harrison and Carmel proved to be tough outs this season.

The MVP candidates: Lorenzo Galeano, Jr., F, Scarsdale; Lucas Kantor, Sr., G, Scarsdale; Declan McLaughlin, Sr., MF, Eastchester; Manato Ogawa, Sr., F, Eastchester; Brady Leitner, Sr., F, Somers; Lucas Arbelaez, Sr., MF, Somers.

And the winner is: Scarsdale and Somers are set up to roll into the semifinals and will be joined by Eastchester and Harrison. Scarsdale repeats with a win over Somers.

Up next: The winner plays the Section 4 champion Nov. 1 at Yorktown High School.

Scoring leaders: These are the players defenders will be keeping an eye on during the playoffs

Tappan Zee's Jack Kryger (11) battles for the ball in front of Rye's Tommy Broderick (9) during their boys soccer game at Tappan Zee High School, Sept. 19, 2023.
Tappan Zee's Jack Kryger (11) battles for the ball in front of Rye's Tommy Broderick (9) during their boys soccer game at Tappan Zee High School, Sept. 19, 2023.

Class A

Built to win it all: Tappan Zee has all the pieces to get back to another sectional final. Nobody in the section has this much scoring punch. Can they win it all, though? The Dutchmen are better prepared than they were a year ago.

Good enough to go deep: Rye is young and lacks playoff experience, but the Garnets have some impressive wins and they gave Tappan Zee a good run before coming apart down the stretch of a 3-0 loss.

Not giving up without a fight: Byram Hills lost one game against Section 1 opponents this season and made an effort to stay under the radar. The Bobcats did not get a favorable draw, though. Pearl River went 1-2-2 against teams with a winning record, but the Pirates got everyone’s attention when they made Tappan Zee sweat in the last week of the regular season.

The MVP candidates: Jack Kryger, Sr., F, Tappan Zee; Ryan Shalvey, Sr., MF, Tappan Zee; Brady Jacobs, Jr., F, Tappan Zee; Tommy Broderick, Sr., F, Rye; Max Crothal, Sr., G, Rye; Michael Rayward, Sr., MF, Pearl River; Nikita Guyaev, Jr., F, Pearl River; Chris Amenedo, Jr., F, Byram Hills.

And the winner is: Tappan Zee and Pearl River shouldn’t have any issues getting into the semifinals. Byram Hills and Rye should get there, as well, but it won’t be easy. Tappan Zee handles Rye in the championship game.

Up next: The winner plays the Section 4 champion Nov. 1 at Hen Hud High School.

Comeback story: More than a year after hit-and-run accident, Ossining player returns to field

Briarcliff's Emilio Abud-Chalita (7) puts a shot in the goal during boys soccer action at Briarcliff High School in Briarcliff Manor on Thursday, October 5, 2023. Briarcliff won 4-1.
Briarcliff's Emilio Abud-Chalita (7) puts a shot in the goal during boys soccer action at Briarcliff High School in Briarcliff Manor on Thursday, October 5, 2023. Briarcliff won 4-1.

Class B

Built to win it all: After going unbeaten, Briarcliff landed in the same half of the bracket as Rye Neck, Blind Brook and Irvington, who all have upset ability. The Bears logged a lot of minutes under pressure this season and are prepared for what’s coming.

Good enough to go deep: Croton, Blind Brook, Westlake, Irvington and Rye Neck are all in the same boat. They’ve had impressive stretches and suffered very few questionable losses. It would not be a shock to see any of them playing for a title.

Not giving up without a fight: Keio forces opponents to play mistake-free soccer and is hard to beat. Bronxville finished strong and is a darkhorse.

The MVP candidates: Miles Prosperino, Sr., D, Briarcliff; Emilio Abud-Chalita, Sr., F, Briarcliff; Thomas Lyden, Sr., F, Westlake; Brandon Dhanoolal, Sr., F, Irvington; Marcos Goni, Sr., F, Croton; Nico Palacios, Jr., F, Blind Brook; Rocco Ruscitto, Jr., F, Rye Neck.

And the winner is: There are probably going to be a few overtime games along the way. Let’s go with Briarcliff and Irvington in the top half of the bracket and Westlake and Croton in the bottom half. Briarcliff tops Westlake in the championship.

Up next: The winner plays the Section 9 champion at a date and site to be determined.

Class C

Built to win it all: Haldane is the defending state champion and once again scheduled ambitiously so there were a number of losses along the way. This group isn’t as deep, but there is enough talent around to make it back-to-back titles.

Good enough to go deep: Leffell went 4-4 to start the season then reeled off six consecutive wins. It’s not easy to keep the Lions off the board.

Not giving up without a fight: Hamilton graduates talent and keeps finding ways to remain competitive. Solving a stubborn Tuckahoe squad in the quarters is the first order of business. North Salem played a difficult schedule and went 6-1-1 down the stretch.

The MVP candidates: Eytan Vittorio, Sr., F, Leffell; Clem Grossman, Sr., F, Haldane; Ronan Kiter, Sr., G, Haldane.

And the winner is: Haldane edges Leffell in the championship game.

Up next: The winner plays the Section 9 champion at a date and site to be determined.

Mike Dougherty covers boys soccer for The Journal News and lohud.com. Follow along on Twitter/X @hoopsmbd.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud Section 1 boys soccer tournament preview, picks and MVPs