Newsday's Top 100 boys soccer players on Long Island for 2022

PETER AGELIS, Longwood, M, Sr.

Agelis had four goals and three assists as a junior. The third-year varsity starter and a team captain has quality passing skills and field vision.

JUSTIN ALVES, St. Anthony’s, D, Sr.

Alves is a returning starter, and the center back makes his presence felt. “He stands everybody up,” said coach Don Corrao, who also praised his play on balls in the air and his ability to trigger the offense from the back as well as his work on set pieces.

SHANE ANATO, New Hyde Park, GK, Sr.

 Anato made 111 saves in 12 games in 2021 for a team that struggled to score. In 10 games, he allowed no goals or one goal, and this year has drawn Division I interest.

CRIS ARIAS, Riverhead, D, So.

Arias played three years with New York Red Bulls Academy and three years with NYCFC Academy, so he’s embarking on his first varsity season until he signs with an MLS team, according to coach Evan Philcox, who says that two are interested. The plan is to use the 15-year-old Riverhead native at right back to strengthen the defense and allow him to take advantage of attacking chances with his strong left foot.

CHRIS ARRIAZA, Brentwood, M, Jr.

Arriaza is a second-year starter and captain coming off a seven-goal, six-assist season. Coach Ron Eden praised Arriaza’s skills as a distributor, finisher and leader, calling him “a total package” and Brentwood’s “best all-around player.” 

JOSUE ASCENCIO, Baldwin, GK, Jr.

Ascencio posted six shutouts as a sophomore and was named Nassau Conference AA Goalie of the Year. The third-year starter allowed one goal or less in 14 of 15 games last season.

TYLER BEHR, MacArthur, GK, Sr.

Behr started as a freshman for the team’s final two playoff games and has been the top goalkeeper since. Coach Andy Atkins evaluated Behr, who had 11 shutouts as a junior, this way: “Huge punt, dramatic shot saver, very skilled with his feet, vocal.”

CHRISTIAN BLANK, Sachem North, D, Sr.

Blank sees the field well and is a skilled distributor. The defender chipped in with three goals and four assists last season.

OWEN BURKE, Sayville, M/F, Sr.

Burke scored 13 goals, including three game-winners, and assisted on seven others last season. Coach Cory Santangelo sees him being a “very skillful player in the attacking end,” someone who’s excellent in one-on-one situations and is a “great passer and great finisher.”

LUKA BUSLJETA, Manhasset, M, So.

He was the engine that powered the Manhasset offense to the Nassau A quarterfinals with six goals. “We go as he goes,” coach Mark Giardino said, adding that Busljeta has  "unbelievable vision and skills.”

JAMES CASTORO, Garden City, GK, Sr.

The last and best line of defense for the Trojans as they captured the Nassau A championship. He allowed 15 goals and posted 11 shutouts as the team went 16-2-1.

DAVID CHAVEZ, Roosevelt, D, Sr.

Chavez started all 12 games last season and rarely came out. He is a very difficult center back for strikers to get around, and has great vision and passing ability. He’s also the kicker for the varsity football team.

JAKE CHRISTEL, Oceanside, D, Sr.

His physical style of play was central for a team that rode its defense to the Nassau Class AA semifinals last season. He anchored a defensive unit that allowed 18 goals in 16 games. 

COLE CONBOY, Babylon, D/F, Sr.

Conboy has been a key contributor in a variety of positions on two Suffolk championship teams, including last season's Long Island Class B title winners. Coach Dennis McGovern felt he was that team’s “most dangerous player up top” after previously excelling as a defender and a midfielder.

RICKY CORBETT, Northport, D, Sr.,

Corbett, a three-year starter, is a center back who possesses the ball well and controls the game, and he’s exceptional in the air. He also contributed four goals and three assists last season. 

MARCELO CORREA, Hampton Bays, D, Jr.

Correa is a returning starter and a captain. Coach George Carney said his center fullback is “a great leader,” a player who’s good at surveying the field and communicating, and is “kind of like a mini-coach on the field.” 

CHRIS COSTA CONNORS, Hicksville, M, Jr.

An electric player with an arsenal of moves and great turning ability, Costa Connors had two goals and three assists last season. “In my 16 seasons, he has the best skill level of any player I’ve had,” coach Scott Starkey said.

SEBASTIAN CUENCA, Lynbrook, M/F, Sr.

Intellect and creativity are his hallmarks, but “his drive sets him apart,” coach Joshua Berlin said. “He is ‘on’ every minute of every game.” Cuenca scored eight goals and assisted on three as the Owls reached the postseason.

GIANCARLO DIFAVA, Commack, F, Sr.

One big reason the Cougars will apply pressure to opposing defenses is his tremendous speed. 

CRISTIAN ESCOBAR, Brentwood, M, Jr.

Escobar is a second-year starter and captain who played on defense last season. Coach Ron Eden said Escobar’s “engine is incredible,” and that he’s fast, strong and very good on the ball.

FRANKLIN ESCOBAR, Portledge, F, Jr.

Escobar scored both goals in a 2-1 victory to become the MVP of the Panthers’ PSAA championship run. He scored 20 goals in 15 games last season.

ZACH FAWAZ, Commack, D, Sr.

The top returning scorer from a playoff team that returns seven starters, Fawaz had five goals and four assists . “A five-tool player who dominates balls to his feet and in the air,” coach David Moran said.

CONNOR FERNANDES, St. John the Baptist, D, Sr.

Fernandes has been a very strong player in the back, especially with his ability to read what’s going on. Coach Nick Gallagher described the fourth-year starter as the “heart and soul of our team.” 

DIEGO FLORES, Smithtown East, GK, Jr.

Flores allowed just 12 goals over 16 games and posted 10 shutouts as the Bulls finished 12-4-1 last season. He was at his best against the best, twice beating a West Islip team that went on to win the state Class AA title.

WILMER FLORES, Whitman, M/F, Sr.

With dynamic moves and great technical skills, Flores is tough to stop one-on-one. He totaled six goals and three assists in leading the Wildcats to the postseason.

RILEY FOWLER, Lynbrook, M, Sr.

Charged with controlling the pace and the action, Fowler is “tough on the ball and hard to displace,” coach Joshua Berlin said. He was a key part of a defense that allowed 13 goals in 13 games.

MAX FRANZ, Cold Spring Harbor, M, Sr.

Draws the assignment of marking the top opposing player and returns to lead a team that was the Nassau B regular-season champion and a county finalist. He has a high soccer IQ, and coach Christian Lynch described him as “quick and fearless.”

AIDAN FRIEL, Connetquot, D, Sr.

Friel combines shutdown defensive skills with the ability to get the team going the other way and help offensively. The fourth-year starter also contributed two goals and an assist last season.

JOEL GARCIA, Longwood, D, Sr.

Garcia is a center fullback with “great foot skills” and the ability to “always be calm on the ball no matter how much pressure he is under,” coach Vin Giglio said. The third-year varsity starter has drawn interest from Rhode Island, NYU and Princeton, and has been selected to play in events in front of MLS and international scouts as part of the Alianza de Futbol program.

NICO GIAMMARINO, Babylon, M, Sr.

Giammarino is a fourth-year starter who scored 12 goals and had 14 assists last season for a 17-3 team that claimed the Long Island Class B championship.

DEREK GILDARD, West Islip, D, Sr.

Gildard was a strong defender on last season’s 20-2-1 Class AA state championship team. Coach Dennis Mazzalonga thinks the fourth-year varsity starter and captain’s “will to win, paired with his will to do whatever it takes to help the team, illustrates his value.” 

TYLER GLASSBERG, Half Hollow Hills East, M, Sr.

He played academy soccer for the first three years of high school and opts to spend his senior season with the Thunderbirds. Glassberg will play soccer at Northwestern next fall. Coach Tiziano Carcone called him “the kind of player you dream to have a chance to coach.”

GAVIN GOODLAD, South Side, F, Sr.

Quick and technically sound, he scored 10 goals and assisted on three more to help the Cyclones go unbeaten in conference play and reach the postseason.

ANTHONY GUILINO, Plainedge, M, So.

Guilino was a leader as a freshman and finished with five goals and six assists in 14 games. “[He] has the versatility and technical skills to [thrive] as a playmaker, finisher and shutdown defender,” coach Jason Cinelli said.

JOHNNY GUILLEN, Locust Valley, M, Jr.

Guillen helped Locust Valley win its first Nassau championship. The third-year starter and second-year captain had six goals and three assists.

LOGAN GUZIK, Patchogue-Medford, GK, Jr. 

Guzik is a commanding presence in the box who’s one of Suffolk’s top goalkeepers and will be one of the best in program history in the view of coach Tim Trava. Guzik made 115 saves as a sophomore, his first season as a starter.

RYAN HARDING, Comsewogue, M, Sr.

Harding is a captain who’s described this way by coach Justin Seifert: “Fantastic on the ball, incredible field vision, attacking mentality.” The third-year starter led his 12-1-1 Suffolk V title team with nine assists last season, and he scored three times.

LIAM HENSHAW, West Babylon, M, Jr.

Henshaw had six goals and four assists as a sophomore. Coach Frank Ging described the fourth-year starter and second-year captain as “a playmaker and a facilitator” and praised him for being able to distribute with both feet, for being difficult to knock off the ball and for his “very strong soccer IQ.”

IAN HUSSELBECK, Huntington, M, Sr.

Husselbeck is integral in controling the pace of the game.. Husselbeck, a second-year starter, finished with four goals and eight assists last season.

KIERAN HUSSELBECK, Huntington, M, Sr.

Like his twin brother, Ian, Kieran Husselbeck is a second-year starter and crafty midfielder. He posted four goals and eight assists for a Huntington team that reached a Suffolk final for first time in 57 years.

MICHAEL IEMMA, Plainedge, M, Jr.

The three-year starter improves every season since cracking the starting lineup as a freshman. After tallying six goals and assisting on 11 more in 14 games last season, Iemma will be a centerpiece player this season.

JUSTIN JEAN-LOUIS, Baldwin, M, Sr.

  Coach Christopher Soupios praised the fourth-year starter and D-I prospect for his “unbelievable touch on the ball,” adding that he’s an “incredibly skilled dribbler who sees the game quicker and at another level than most of his peers.” This center midfielder contributed one goal and four assists last season.

ANDREW JOHNSON, Connetquot, M, Sr.

Johnson contributed nine goals and six assists last season. Coach John Zambriski labeled the third-year starter as a “possession-heavy [center midfielder] with the versatility that enables him to be a dynamic playmaker [and] strong finisher,” and added that he can be a shutdown defender.

KONSTANTINOS KAROUSIS, Mepham, M, Sr.

With a high soccer IQ and great vision for the unfolding play, he was the  main playmaker for a Pirates team that went 12-1-4 in 2021. He scored three goals and assisted on eight. 

MATTHEW KATZ, Amityville, GK, Sr.

Katz is 6-3, instinctive, technically sound, vocal, hardworking and one of the top five goalkeepers on Long Island, according to coach Mike Abbondondolo. Katz has drawn interest from Stony Brook and Mercy. 

AIDAN KOLBE, Northport, F, Sr.

Kolbe begins his fourth year on varsity and third as a starter. He provides a big, physical scoring threat from anywhere around the box. He’s a full-time striker now after playing mostly center midfielder last season when he had six goals and six assists.

DARIO LEIGHTON, North Shore, F, Sr.

Leighton showed how impactful he could be from the midfield a year ago by scoring six goals. After a strong offseason, he returns to take a spot on the front line and be “a focal point of our attack,” coach Mike Bishop said.

RYAN LEVY, Hall Hollow Hills West, M, So.

Levy, the first eighth-grader to start in the program's history, is now a third-year starter. The center midfielder, described as a “playmaker” by coach Doug Gannon, had five goals and nine assists as a freshman.

AIDAN LODIE, West Islip, M, Sr.

Lodie was Newsday’s Player of the Year after contributing 21 goals and 11 assists for his 20-2-1 team that claimed the program’s first Suffolk, Long Island and state titles. He posted a combined total of 13 game-winning goals and assists, and he delivered six of his goals and five of his assists across seven Class AA postseason games.

JOSEPH LOPEZ, Uniondale, M, Jr.

A sophomore with “huge potential,” according to coach Cohen Nelson, Lopez played in an adult league this summer to improve his toughness, strength and quick decision-making. He has the potential to be a dead ball specialist.

DESHAUN MAITLAND, Mepham, F, Sr.

As challenging as any player on Long Island in 1-on-1 situations, Maitland was the leading scorer for a Pirates team that scored 42 goals. He had nine goals and six assists.

PETER MANDERY, Jericho, M, Sr.

Mandery is a third-year starter and a captain. Coach Dani Braga has high expectations for him, feeling he will be the “engine” in the middle and that he “will carry the team.” 

ANTHONY MARIANI, East Islip, F, So.

Mariani is already a third-year starter. He had an impressive summer league season as a goal scorer, and coach Ray Lang expects big things, saying, “I think he’s going to be one of the top goal scorers in our league [Suffolk III].” 

ANDREW MAROTTA, Chaminade, GK, Jr.

Marotta spent time in goal for the Catholic state champion Flyers when the starter was ill. Coach Michael Gallagher said he proved to be “a prolific shot stopper … with good range and distribution skills.”

EDUARDO MARROQUIN, Floyd, M, Sr.

Marroquin is a skilled player with good tackling ability and a high motor.

JACK MAZZIOTTI, Lindenhurst, D, Sr.

Mazziotti brings solid play at center back. The second-year starter features speed and strength and “can quietly change a game,” coach Joe Riemma said.

LIAM MCDERMOTT, Center Moriches, M, Sr.

McDermott was the team leader in goals with 19 and assists with 15. The fourth-year starter is described by coach Chris O’Brien as a hard worker who “will be our engine.”

ERIK MCKENNA, Mattituck, M, Sr.

Runs the midfield with aplomb for the Tuckers. The senior totaled five goals and nine assists as Mattituck (15-3-1) reached the Suffolk Class B championship game.

RYAN MCNICHOLAS, South Side, F, Sr.

A four-year starter for the Cyclones, McNicholas has totaled 32 goals and 21 assists over his previous three seasons. Coach Patrick Corvetti said that “he’s a smart, crafty goal-scoring threat.”

JEAN MEJIA, Freeport, F, Jr.

Highly skilled and crafty, Mejia had three goals and four assists to help the Red Devils reach the postseason. Coach Craig Klasson called him a “dangerous forward … with game vision, quickness, power and intelligence.”

BRANDON MILLER, Longwood, M, Sr.

Miller is a third-year varsity starter and a captain who had five goals and eight assists on his way to being team MVP. Miller has superior foot skills and finishing ability. 

TYLER MOORE, Connetquot, GK, Sr.

Moore is one of the best goalkeepers in Suffolk from coach John Zambriski’s perspective. The third-year starter, who posted seven shutouts last season, will be playing Division I lacrosse at Saint Joseph’s University. 

KEVIN MORALES, Hicksville, F, Sr.

Few play as strong in the air as this 6-2 leaper, who scored nine goals and assisted on two others. Coach Scott Starkey described him as “dangerous, and lethal close to the goal.”

TYLER MORMANDO, MacArthur, D, Sr.

Mormando was a big contributor in MacArthur posting 11 shutouts last season. The sweeper, who’s a third-year starter and a captain, is described by coach Andy Atkins as “smart, physical, very strong, instinctual, equal with both feet.”

LOGAN MOTT, Friends Academy, F/M, Sr.

Blossomed into a top performer and team leader as a junior, scoring five goals and assisting on three others. Coach Edgar Posada said he was an effective team captain because “he demands of his teammates as much as he demands of himself.”

KADE MURPHREE, Westhampton, M, Sr.

Murphree is serving as a captain and moving up from defense this season to help contribute on both sides. Coach Cody Hoyt said the third-year starter lends a “strong physical presence on the ground and in the air,” and that he’s “skilled with the ball at his feet and [has] great vision on the field.”

NICK NOWAK, Shoreham-Wading River, F, Sr.

Nowak is a versatile player who has been a big factor for Shoreham-Wading River the past two  seasons. The captain and third-year starter had eight goals and five assists last year.

JOHN OUALAALOU, St. Anthony’s, M, Jr.

Oualaalou, who started as a sophomore, brings great vision and ability as a distributor.  Coach Don Corrao said he “came into his own” in the Friars’ double-overtime loss to Chaminade in the CHSAA title game last November, adding, “I thought he was one of the best players on the field.”

AIDAN OVIEDO-TORRES, St. John the Baptist, M, Sr.

Oviedo-Torres is a fourth-year starter who’s a playmaker who “makes the whole team better,” as coach Nick Gallagher put it. Oviedo-Torres totaled nine goals and 15 assists.

RON PALILLO, Ward Melville, M, Sr. 

Palillo is a third-year starter who’s 6-3 and capable of dominating as a center midfielder. The returning captain is good at winning 50/50 balls and distributing, and has “a rocket of a shot,” according to coach Rocco Vetro.

ANDY PANZA, Southampton, GK, Sr.

The Mariners’ formidable last line of defense. A three-year starter, he posted eight shutouts as they finished as co-champions in Suffolk VII and reached the county semifinals.

ROBERT PATRISSI, Garden City, D, Sr.

Patrissi was a force on offense from a defensive position, totaling four goals and 15 assists for the Nassau Class A champions. He has committed to play soccer at Scranton next fall.

JACK PENDRICK, Syosset, M, So.

Moves into a primary role after a strong freshman season. Pendrick becomes the main decision-maker and playmaker for Syosset. “We want the ball on his foot,” coach Brett Waxer said.

JOAQUIN PEREZ, Floyd, M, Sr. 

Perez has “amazing skill, composure on the ball and great field vision,” according to coach Paul Paniccia. The third-year varsity player can score from long distance or by beating defenders. 

ROBERTH PEREZ, Amityville, D, Sr.

Perez, a  center back on 18-2-1 Amityville’s state finalist team last season, is “strong in the air, technical and can use both feet,” according to coach Mike Abbondondolo. The versatile fourth-year varsity player also contributed four goals and five assists. 

CRISTIAN PEREZ FRANCO, MacArthur, M, Jr.

Perez Franco, a center midfielder, was the Nassau Conference A-I Offensive Player of the Year last season. The three-year starter delivered five game-winning goals.

JACK PETERSEN, Manhasset, D, Sr.

Described by coach Mark Giardino as “the best athlete I’ve seen in a long time,” Petersen's defensive play was essential in holding opponents to one goal or fewer in 13 of 16 games. He also kicks for the football team and will play lacrosse at Harvard next year.

CHRISTIAN PICA, Garden City, M, Sr.

Pica was selected to Newsday's All-Long Island second team after leading the Trojans to a 16-2-1 record and the Nassau A championship last year. He finished the season with seven goals and two assists, and has committed to play soccer for Loyola (Maryland) next fall.

JOSHUA PLATT, Bellmore JFK, F, Sr.

Platt  scored a team-leading 10 goals last season. The fourth-year starter has 20 career goals after also topping the team in that category the two previous seasons. 

ANTHONY RANDAZZO, Glenn, F, Sr.

Randazzo, now in his fifth year on the varsity and fourth as a starter, scored 15 goals as a junior despite playing on a torn ACL that wasn’t diagnosed until after the season. He underwent surgery and was finally cleared a few weeks ago after missing his winter, spring and fall club seasons.

ETHAN RECCHIA, Oceanside, F, Sr.

Recchia is a three-year starter and key returning component on a Sailors team that reached the Nassau Class AA semifinals a year ago. He tallied five goals and assisted on two others.

HUGO RODRIGUEZ, Amityville, M, Sr.

Rodriguez, who didn’t play last season , is still a fourth-year varsity player and is expected to be a significant piece on Amityville’s attack. Coach Mike Abbondondolo praised his ability to score from all over and his superior vision for passing.

DANIEL SANTOS, Oceanside, F, Sr.

Santos enters his third year as a starter as the top returning scorer from a team that went 10-2-4 and reached the Nassau AA semifinals. Described by coach Patrick Turk as “a playmaker who could outrun anyone,” Santos had seven goals and an assist.

DOMINIC SARACENI, Mepham, F, Sr.

His pace of play and accuracy with either foot around the goal make him a dangerous scorer.  Saraceni scored six goals and assisted on two.

JACK SARGEANT, Mineola, M, Sr.

Sargeant delivered 10 goals and assisted on six others. The dynamic third-year starter isn’t only a threat to score, but excels defensively, too.

BRADY SCHMIDT, Kellenberg, M, Jr.

Schmidt contributed 11 goals and three assists as a sophomore starter in Kellenberg’s 13-6-2 run that ended in the NYCHSAA semifinals. Coach Bill Masiulis calls him a catalyst “in building up our attacks against opponents.”

SEAN SCOTT, Mepham, F, Sr.

Speed and guile were the cornerstones of his game as he scored six goals and assisted on five for Mepham (12-1-4). 

WESLEY SECAIDA, Mattituck, F, Jr.

The three-year starter shapes up as the offensive engine for the Tuckers.  He scored eight goals and dished 11 assists for a Mattituck team that lost the Suffolk B final in penalty kicks.

GARRETT SMITH, Chaminade, D, Sr.

He was one of the linchpins in a strong defense that helped the Flyers win the Catholic state title. He is expected to use his considerable on-ball skills to lead the defensive unit.

KYLE SMITH, Sachem East, M, Sr.

Smith established a strong reputation for playing well on both ends of the field.  He could be central in the offense this season.

ANDREW TAPIA, Patchogue-Medford, M, Jr.

Tapia is “one of the craftiest center midfielders in Suffolk County,” according to coach Tim Trava. The second-year starter who had three goals and four assists as a sophomore has playmaking skills and the ability to control the midfield.

JAKE TRAMA, Smithtown West, F, Sr.

Trama was injured for about half of last season, but he still finished as one of the team’s top scorers. Coach A.J. Gercke expects the third-year varsity player to be one of Suffolk’s best strikers.  

CARLOS TURCIOS, Westbury, M, Sr.

This multitalented playmaker moves into the starting lineup and will be central in the Dragons’ effort to defend their Nassau AA championship. Coach Chris Valentini said “it won’t take people long to see he’s exceptional.”

FORTUNE UZO, Valley Stream Central, M, Sr.

A truly high-octane scorer for two seasons, coach Bill Miller says Uzo combines “incredible ball skills and control with speed and quickness.” Composed and unselfish, he had nine goals and seven assists in 14 games last season when he was the Nassau Conference AA-I co-Offensive Player of the Year.

TOMMY VENEZIA, Carle Place, M/D, Sr.

Strong and willful, Venezia was what coach Conor Reardon called “the heart and soul” of the Frogs team that won the Nassau C championship. 

BRANDON VILLANUEVA, Locust Valley, F, Sr.

Villanueva was  the MVP for the Nassau Class B championship game last season after scoring the winning goal, just like he had in the semifinals. The third-year starter and second-year captain finished with 10 goals and six assists.  

DANIEL WALTER, South Side, M, Sr.

Walter makes a lot of winning plays that don’t always show up in a box score, but he also tallied two goals and five assists. “He’s a hard worker with nonstop energy who does all the little things on the field,” coach Patrick Corvetti said.

VINNY WEBB, Kings Park, GK, Sr.

Webb is the leader of this team, a captain who was the Suffolk V Goalie of the Year. Coach Tom Nally feels the third-year starter “gives the team a chance to win every game."

LONDELL WHEELER, Glen Cove, M, Sr.

His versatility – passing, scoring and controlling a game between the boxes – is a huge reason why expectations are high for a Knights team that reached the Nassau Class A championship game. Coach Brian Smith praised his control, vision and game awareness and added that “his ability to operate in tight spaces separates him from everyone else.”

WILLIAM ZELAYA, Baldwin, M, Jr.

Zelaya has started every game since entering Baldwin and was voted as a team captain as a sophomore. He had seven goals and two assists for last season’s Nassau AA conference title team.