New Dorp’s Andrew Fiore created a moment all in attendance will remember. The senior, playing with an 80-percent torn ACL, just saw Midwood rally to send the PSAL Class A final to overtime. The All-American summoned one last burst to break to the cage and end it with a quick shot. The goal gave the Central Cougars their first city crown in their initial finals appearance. The young Hornets will be the team to beat next season.
Princeton-bound attack Forrest Sonnenfeldt led Fieldston to its fourth straight Ivy League title, but the Eagles fell a win short of another Metro Championship, losing to Iona Prep in the final. The Gaels were again a thorn in the side of Fordham Prep. All-American goalie Chris Moffa and star midfielder Connor Brown did all they could, but the Rams fell again in the CHSAA final. Fieldston held on to beat Fordham Prep in the Metro Championship semifinals. Not to be lost in it all is James Madison’s PSAL Class B crown, the program’s first.
All-City Boys’ Lacrosse
Player Of The Year
Forrest Sonnenfeldt, Fieldston: The Princeton-bound senior attack was the prolific scoring leader for one of the city’s best squads. Sonnenfeldt scored a ridiculous 95 goals and dished out 46 assists. He helped the Eagles to a 15-6 record, a fourth straight Ivy League title and a trip to the Metro Championship game. Sonnenfeldt, an All-American, is extremely unselfish and a superb passer, helping teammates Michael Gruba and Zach Brown to big seasons. Many times he would face two and three defenders at a time, but was strong enough to fend them off on most occasions. Sonnenfeldt single-handedly kept the Eagles in their 13-6 Metro Championship game loss to Iona Prep, scoring three times and tallying an assist.
All-City Boys’ Lacrosse
Coach Of The Year
Brian Murphy, New Dorp: Murphy knew this had to be the year for the Central Cougars, who had fallen short of the finals the last three seasons. The kids that started the program were now seniors and even hungrier. Murphy kept his squad grounded through their undefeated regular season, continually reminding them that each win was important, but it was the next one that mattered most. New Dorp completed the title quest with a thrilling, 7-6 overtime victory over three-time defending PSAL champion Midwood to complete the perfect league season.
All-City First Team
Connor Brown, Fordham Prep: Brown was the Rams’ offensive leader. The extremely athletic midfielder was difficult to guard, especially when he got going in transition. The Colgate-bound senior, who is also an excellent football player, is a playmaker both as a scorer and as a feeder. The All-Metro First Team selection scored 35 goals and dished out 32 assists, helping lead Fordham Prep the CHSAA championship game and the Metro Championship semifinals.
Andrew Fiore, New Dorp: The All-American is as tough as they come. Fiore played the entire season with an 80 percent torn ACL, an injury he suffered during football season. The attack, who possesses tremendous quickness and strength, was second in the PSAL in both goals and assists with 36 and 26, respectively. He scored the two biggest goals of the season for the Central Cougars, both in overtime against Midwood. The second clinched the team’s first ever city title and completed an undefeated PSAL season.
Anthony McGuiness, Fordham Prep: Next to Connor Brown, no one was more consistent on the offensive end than the dynamic McGuiness, who was second on the team in points. The All-Metro first team selection brought a quickness and a balance to the game, scoring 29 goals and dishing out 14 assists for the Rams, helping them to the CHSAA championship game and the Metro Championship semifinals. He will attend Providence in the fall.
Chris Moffa, Fordham Prep: The All-American is as good and as intense a goalie as you will find in the five boroughs. The St. Joseph’s (Pa.)-bound senior is the epitome of a leader in the cage whether it is vocally or with his actions. Moffa was never shy about leaving the cage to make a play or lay a hit. He made the save from 10 to 12 yards out look easy and will certainly come up with a spectacular one now and then. His save percentage was 66.2 percent.
Julian Musikantz, Riverdale: There is nothing the athletic Musikantz, who is headed to Brown, can do on the field. The All-American midfielder can beat defenders to the cage with his quickness or physicality and has the ability to score around the crease or from the outside. He was even entrusted with faceoffs that were considered momentum changing in hopes of a transition goal. He scored 37 goals and dished out 17 assists helping Riverdale to a 9-8 record and a fourth-place finish in the Ivy League.
Lou Solmonson, Horace Mann: The four-year varsity starter was a member of the NYC Empire State team last summer. The All-Metro first team selection is a combination of speed and strength and drastically improved his stick skills coming into this season. Solomonson usually found himself getting the most attention from opponents. His athleticism made him one of the keys to Horace Mann’s transition game. He’s got wheels and can get down the field in a hurry.
Colin Tofel, Fieldston: The two-year starter, who will try to walk on at Lafayette, was a do-it-all defensive midfielder for the Eagles. The All-Metro first team selection was the key to the Fieldston transition game, a key with its talented attack. Tofel was the first outlet option for goalie Mike Malone and would many times get things going himself, especially with a ground ball. The excellent man-to-man defender would be in charge of shutting down an opponent’s top midfielder.
All-City Second Team
Jesse Bruno, St. Joseph by the Sea: The senior attack was just in his second year of lacrosse for the young Vikings program. Bruno, a second team All-Metro selection is extremely quick to the cage and knows how to get his hands free even with the smallest opening. He scored 35 goals and dished out 17 assists. He will look to play both soccer and lacrosse at SUNY Maritime.
Jack Hayden, Fordham Prep: The senior attack may never be the biggest guy on the field, but he will always find a way a score. Even as a sophomore when he was the JV team’s leading scoring, head coach Len DeLucia knew Hayden would have no trouble transitioning to the varsity level. Hayden, an All-Metro second team selection, possesses excellent quickness and a quick, accurate shot. He scored 24 goals and recorded 16 assists.
Will Hendrickson, Riverdale: Hendrickson possessed exceptional dodging ability to the cage thanks to an explosive first step. The sophomore was the team’s top offensive threat behind Julian Musikantz. He scored 36 goals and collected 20 assists.
Joe Mavrakis, New Dorp: No one’s role became bigger than Mavrakis’ when Andrew Fiore reinjured his ACL, missed some time and losing mobility. Though Fiore scored the winner to seal the PSAL championship, the moment would not have been possible without the senior midfielder’s four goals and an assist prior. He tallied 37 goals and 28 assists during league play.
Anthony Mendez, Farrell: The senior attack was the Lions’ offensive leader all season as they made it to the CHSAA semifinals. He tallied 61 goals and 28 assists, setting the program’s record for goals and points in a season. Mendez saw plenty of double teams and had knack for finding the gap of open teammates.
Eric Pramschufer, Fordham Prep: Pramschufer was part of a deep and talented Rams defense, helping them be one of the city’s best squads. The senior came into the school as a goalie, but was too athletic for coach Len DeLucia to keep in the cage. The All-Metro second team selection played for the NYC Empire State team. His strength was a major attribute, something he will bring to Ohio-Wesleyan next season.
Ciaran Sleeper, Fordham Prep: Sleeper’s speed made him the guy Fordham Prep turned to when it wanted to lock off a team’s best player. He drew Iona Prep All-American Nick Trizano many times. The Rams’ defense was one of the best in the city with Sleeper’s help and superb stick skills. Don’t sleep on him.
Joe Villarreal, Farrell: The senior’s hard work this summer certainly paid off. That included a spot on the New York City Empire State team. The SUNY Maritime-bound standout became one of the most prolific faceoff men in the city. He won 76 percent of his draws and broke the school record for ground balls with 158.
