No citywide titles were won in the Bronx this season, but that doesn’t take away from the fine year on the pitch by the borough’s athletes. Fordham Prep again took home the Archdiocesan crown before falling in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals. Mott Haven got over the semifinal hump to reach the PSAL Class B title game. Riverdale came on strong late in the season and made it to the NYSAISAA final four. The following are the athletes who distinguished themselves as the best in the Bronx.
All-Bronx Boys’ Soccer Playerof the Year:
Richard Moessner, Fordham Prep
The senior center midfielder joined the Rams after playing with the FC Westchester Academy team as a junior. Moessner was in complete control of the center of the pitch, providing energy, leadership and some of the city’s best technical soccer skills. He tallied eight goals and despite some injuries late helped the Rams win the CHSAA Archdiocesan title and reach the intersectional semifinals.
All-Bronx Boys’ Soccer Coach of the Year:
Jaime Guarnaccia, Mott Haven
The second-year coach has taken Mott Haven to new heights. Guarnaccia helped pull everything together and turn the program into one of the league’s quickest growing teams. The Mavericks went 17-2-0 and broke through to the PSAL Class B final after losing in the semifinals last season. Mott Haven fell 1-0 to Grand Street in the title game, but the best is still yet to come for the program.
All-Bronx Boys’ Soccer First Team
F Jordan Brail,Rierdale
The senior forward was a dynamic force of the Falcons this season. Brail was a threat to score from anywhere on the field and tallied numerous big goals. He helped Riverdale reach the NYSAISAA semifinals.
M Alex Cannicotti, Fordham Prep
The sophomore was certainly super for the Ram this season. He was the team leader in goals with 15 and was constantly putting pressure on opposing goalkeeper. Cannicotti had a big goal in a win over Christ the King.
M Romario, Guscott, Evander Child
Guscott’s numbers aren’t as gaudy as they were a year ago, but he was certainly still effective. The senior tallied 14 goals and four assists and helped lead Evander Child to the PSAL Bronx A division title.
M Aaron Kirshenberg, Bronx Science
Kirshenberg stepped up his game in his final season at Bronx Science. The senior midfielder tallied nine goals, five assists to help the Wolverines to a second-place finish in the Bronx A division.
M Rajay Miller, DeWitt Clinton
The senior center midfielder was the Governors’ glue guy. Miller, who dished out five assists, controlled the game’s pace, was a scoring threat and brought veteran leadership
F Micheal Nti, Christopher Columbus
Nti was one of the borough’s most explosive scorers. The junior found the back of the net 13 times and added an assists for a Columbus team that was one of the best squads in the Bronx A division.
F Anton Porter, Mount St. Michael
The talented forward has been a force since he was a freshman. The Mountaineers didn’t have the same type of season they are use too, but still scored 10 goals and dished out three assists.
D John Tannian, Fordham Prep
The senior filled in more than adequately in the back line after injuries forced him to move form the midfield. Tannian brought leadership, hustle and plenty of smarts to a Rams defense that was one of the CHSAA’s best.
F Rockeem Russell, Mott Haven
The junior was the offensive catalyst for a Mott Haven team that reached the PSAL Class B final for the first time in program history. Russell scored 26 goals and dished out eight assists
GK Alex Straus, Riverdale
The senior keep and the Falcons defense turned thing up late in the season, becoming one of the toughest groups in the Ivy League to score on. He allowed two goals just once in the Falcons final eight regular season games and helped them reach the NYSAISAA semifinals.
M Charlie Sullivan, Fordham Prep
Sullivan was a force at midfield for a technically sound Ram club. The senior was a calming influence there and helped bring a fluidity to the Fordham attack. He scored facilitated to others, but was always a threat to find the back of he net.
Honorable Mention
GK Kemar Barrett, Evander Child
M Abdoulaye Bassirou, DeWitt Clinton
F Luis Becerra, Herbert Lehman
D Jack Burke Mount St. Michael
M Michael Byfield, Horace Mann
M Papa Djiby Deme, James Monroe
D Dan Fox, Fordham Prep
D Jack Millman, Horace Mann
M Anderson Rivera, Mott Haven
D Jeremy Roth, Horace Mann
GK Aaron Schein, Horace Mann
M Gabe Sippiora, Fordham Prep
M Silas Twumasi, Walton
F Tonin Tonaj, Cardinal Spellman
M Mike Wickes, Cardinal Spellman
