Forham Prep’s title hopes dashed by St. Anthony’s

Forham Prep’s title hopes dashed by St. Anthony’s
Photo by Caroll Alvarado

Fordham Prep’s quest for an undefeated state championship season fell one win short.

Rams hung tough, but fell to Nassau/Suffolk champion St. Anthony’s 4-2 in the CHSAA boys’ soccer state championship game at Adelphi University on Sunday night.

Fordham coach Pete McNamara was happy with the team’s performance against the Friars even in defeat.

“It was a great effort. It was a very difficult game,” he said, “St. Anthony’s is an excellent team and I give them a lot of credit for winning.”

The Friars struck first in the 9th minute on a goal from Ryan Gonclaves, who deflected a Beau Hornberger shot into the net.

Fordham responded in the 23rd minute when Danny Fox connected on a loose ball at the top of the box and put it past St. Anthony Keeper Jonathan Graziosi to tie the score at 1-1.

The tie didn’t last long. Ray Peterson was able to tap in a cross to make it 2-1 St. Anthony’s two minutes later.

Fordham Prep found the equalizer in 29th minute. Alex Canicatti led Max Moessner, who broke into the box and put the ball in the back of the net. McNamara spoke highly of his senior leader who had a goal and an assist in the loss.

“He’s been a quiet leader on the team for three years,” McNamara said of Moessner. “He’s took the team on his back with brilliant playing. Creative, calm under pressure just a tremendous player. To score to have a goal and an assist tonight is just the way he is. He scores in the biggest games.”

St. Anthony’s knows a think or two about winning big game and found a way to go ahead once again in the 36thminute. Zuberi Symister tapped in a rebound to make it 3-2 Frairs

Despite being down at the half McNamara was happy with his team’s fight in the first half.

“Our guys were down early, got it right back, down again, got it right back, it was just a wonderful first half,” he said.

The game remained 3-2 until the Friars gained insurance in the 60th minute when John Foley jumped on a bobbled ball by Rams keeper Will Marment and made it 4-2.

Even though the Rams couldn’t draw even in the second half McNamara knows sometimes that is how the game goes.

“We competed well in the second half,” he said. “Soccer is a game of inches some times. They played extremely well I am so proud of them. To get to the final is fantastic, undefeated all the way through the season, it’s hard on them now but this is a great team.”

The lost ends what was a stellar season for the Rams. They went 18-1-2 , won the Archdiocesan crown and their first CHSAA Intersectional title since 2007, defeating Molloy 4-0. Fordham topped the Stanners again in the state semifinals. It was a season will be filled with good memories, but losing in the final game will stink for now.

“Looking back it’s going to be a great season, but right now all I can think about is this one loss,” senior Patrick Murray said. “It’s rough,”