Mike Testa Sr. GK Molloy
Testa appeared well on his way to leading Molloy to a city title showdown with Holy Cross when his final high school season came to a crushing end with a broken collarbone against St. Francis Prep. Testa, who has drawn interest from Division I schools Columbia and Holy Cross, didn’t have to make many saves but when tested he was phenomenal, as was the case in a 1-0 early-season win over Holy Cross.
Christos Chronis Jr. Def. Holy Cross
Chronis was probably Holy Cross’ most consistent defender throughout the year. A good decision maker on the ball, the junior from Bayside rarely got beat thanks to solid positioning. Whenever Chronis picked up a ball that crossed the touchline, it was an instant scoring chance no matter where he threw the ball in from.
Jorge Pena Sr. Def. St. Francis Prep
A solid defender and one of the leaders of a very young St. Francis Prep team, Pena may be known best for his spectacular goal in the state semifinals against mighty Chaminade. After falling behind 1-0, Pena sent a left-footed rocket from 25 yards out into the upper right corner of the net to tie the game at 1 in the 15th minute.
Peter Despotopoulos Sr. Def. Molloy
A quick, crafty left-sided player, Despotopoulos can do a little bit of everything, and does it well. A quiet and unassuming player, Despotopoulos is a good passer who also has a very accurate shot; one of the main reasons Molloy won the Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan title for a third straight year.
Alex Silaco Sr. Mid. Molloy
A hard working, technically sound player, Silaco was probably the most consistent player in the CHSAA this year. A great two-way player, the Middle Village native always seemed to be in good position and when the Stanners needed a big goal, Silaco was the one who provided it. He beat Holy Cross with two well struck set pieces and scored the winner on a free kick in a 1-0 quarterfinal win over St. Peter's
Sebastin Garcia Sr. Mid. St. John’s Prep
Along with teammate Ruiz, the only three-time first team All-Queens players on this year’s list. Despite being a marked man throughout the year while nursing a sore hamstring, Garcia was still one of the top players in the CHSAA ‘B’ division. Tall, strong and quick, Garcia was lethal in and around the 18-yard box.
Ferney Ruiz Sr. Mid. St. John’s Prep
Because Garcia was hampered by injury for much of the season, Ruiz was forced to take over as the Red Storm’s top offensive threat and he did so effortlessly. Already a stellar playmaker, Ruiz also was one of the team leaders for a St. John’s team that fell in the ‘B’ semifinals to eventual champions St. Joseph by the Sea.
Adam Brunengo Sr. Mid. McClancy
A classic center midfielder, Brunengo was a big reason McClancy advanced to the CHSAA Class B title game. Skillful on the ball and a brilliant passer with both feet, Brunengo was able to pick out teammates from almost anywhere on the field. More than just a playmaker, Brunengo was also deadly accurate on set pieces, especially those from distance.
Paul Nittoli Sr. Mid. Holy Cross
Much like last year’s TimesLedger Player of the Year Tamer Mohammed, Nittoli was a quiet leader on the field for Holy Cross this season in the midfield. The Bayside native has all the tools to be a solid Division I player; he's big, strong, physical, good on the ball and has a knack for playing better in bigger games.
Julian Escobar Jr. Fwd. McClancy
A big-time striker in a small frame, Escobar broke the McClancy regular season scoring record with 32 goals. But more than the quantity, it was the quality of Escobar's strikes. He scored two goals in a 3-1 win over St. John’s Prep, ending the Red Storm’s 19-game unbeaten streak and should be one of the top strikers in the CHSAA next season.
Chris Lupoli Sr. Fwd. Holy Cross
Lupoli lacks size and isn’t the quickest or strongest player on the field, but he always finds a way to make the big play. As one Division I coach said, “How can you recruit him, but then again how can you not?” Always working, the Whitestone native is a pesky player who almost always finds a way to cut through opposing teams’ defenses in the 18-yard box.
CHSAA All-Queens Second Team
Nick Sans-Castet Sr. GK St. John's Prep
Adam Curatolo Sr. Def. St. Francis Prep
Vincent Favarra Sr. Def. Molloy
Oscar Garcia So. Def. St. John's Prep
Jeovani Parades Sr. Mid. Holy Cross
Adam Mathioudis Sr. Mid. McClancy
Gaetano Bruno Jr. Mid. McClancy
George Garcia So. Mid. St. Francis Prep
David Orsono Sr. Mid. St. John's Prep
Filippo Rappa Sr. Mid. Christ the King
Ariel Castellanos Jr. M/F Holy Cross
