By Brian Deakyne and Richard Greco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Who were the top players in the state in 2017?
There were a lot of memorable moments this season and a lot of players stepped up big-time when their numbers were called. NJ Advance Media has looked at the best of the best and selected its 2017 All-State teams. See below who made 1st Team, 2nd Team and 3rd Team All-State this year.
THIRD TEAM ALL-STATE
David Gard | For NJ.com
F-Jack Dugan, Haddonfield, Sr., 5-7, 150
Dugan left his mark on Haddonfield’s boys soccer program. He finished his career with 72 goals making him Haddonfield’s all-time scoring leader. He broke a 39-year record previously held by Rich Sexton who graduated in 1977 with 64 career goals. This season he led Haddonfield with 24 goals and was second with 20 assists.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
F-Carlo Gonzalez, Pompton Lakes, Sr., 5-7, 145
Gonzalez finished his career in exciting fashion. He scored the overtime game-winner to lead Pompton Lakes over Glassboro in the Group 1 final. The title was Pompton Lakes' third overall and first since 2005. Gonzalez is also leaving as the program's all-time leading scorer with 74 career goals. He led the team with 29 goals this season to go along with his four assists.
Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
M-Nick Kriak, Seton Hall Prep, Sr., 5-10, 145 lbs.
Kriak was the catalyst for Seton Hall Prep all season, including its runs to the Essex County Tournament championship and the North Jersey, Non-Public A final. Kriak was a crucial playmaker for Seton Hall Prep that never stopped moving in the midfield. He finished his final season with two goals and 13 assists.
Mark R. Sullivan | For NJ Advance Media
M-Dominic Bellomo, Christian Brothers, Jr., 5-8, 150
Bellomo filled big shoes this season, stepping in as one of CBA’s best goal scorers this season. Bellomo, like some former CBA greats, was able to find the back of the net whenever Christian Brothers needed a goal this season. Bellomo finished with this year with nine goals and five assists and helped CBA to a third straight South Jersey, Non-Public A sectional title.
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
M-Chad Yates, Washington Township, Jr., 5-9, 150
Yates scored 19 goals this season and quickly became the go-to goal scorer for one of South Jersey’s most respected boys soccer programs. Behind Yates, Washington Township rose to the top once more in South Jersey, collecting a South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Tournament title and a fourth straight South Jersey, Group 4 sectional title.
Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
M-Cristian Villegas, Kearny, Sr., 5-5, 145
Villegas is a game manager. He controlled the midfield for Kearny with his strength on the ball, great footwork and fantastic vision. He helped spearhead Kearny’s runs to a the Hudson County Tournament and Group 4 finals, going undefeated in the process. He had four goals and five assists serving as a key defensive midfielder.
MORE: NJ.com's postseason honors
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
D-Colin Eifert, Old Tappan, Sr., 6-2, 165
The Bucknell-recruit served as Old Tappan's center back this season. With Eifert leading the way, Old Tappan posted seven shutouts and allowed more than one goal in a game just six time this season. Eifert was a key piece for Old Tappan on set pieces and had eight goals to go along with his two assists.
Larry Murphy | For NJ Advance Media
D-Scott Woodington, Delran, Sr., 6-2, 175
Woodington anchored the back line for Delran this season and faced some of the country’s best attacks in the process. With Woodington leading the way, Delran was able to earn a win over prep power Pennington, hold a high-powered Delbarton attack to one goal and win a third straight South Jersey, Group 2 sectional title. Woodington, an old-school, physical defender, was tough to beat all season.
Larry Murphy | For the Times of Trenton
D-Mark Walter, Westfield, Sr., 6-0, 155
The Muhlenberg-recruit was at the heart of a Westfield defense that posted 14 shutouts this season and allowed a school record eight goals. Westfield’s backline allowed more than a goal in a game just once this season. With Walter leading the way, Westfield earned a share of the Union County Tournament title.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
D-Ronald Mendez, Dover, Sr., 6-1, 225
Mendez was a key piece of Dover’s runs to the Morris County Tournament semifinals and the Group 2 final. Dover’s backline posted 13 shutouts and allowed more than a goal five times this season. All three of Dover’s losses came at the hands of state champions in Morris Catholic, Delbarton and Holmdel. He had three goals and two assists this season.
ALSO: NJ.com's final rankings for 2017
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
G-Calum Erlenborn, Bridgewater-Raritan, Sr., 6-2, 170
Erlenborn posted 12 shutouts and was the last line of defense for one of N.J.’s best defensive teams. On his way to a share of the Somerset County Tournament title and an outright North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 sectional title, Erlenborn conceded just 10 goals and did not lose a game all season for Bridgewater-Raritan.
SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
F-Justin McStay, Holmdel, Sr., 5-8, 180
McStay returned to Holmdel after a one-year hiatus to join the academy circuit, and he made the trip back to the Hornets well worth it. Attacking at the top with teammate Anthony Arena, McStay finished his senior season with 26 goals and 18 assists after helping Holmdel to an appearance in the Group 2 final as a sophomore. McStay played a big part in Holmdel’s run to a 22-win season that included the program’s first Shore Conference Tournament title and second Group 2 crown.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
F-Calvin Ryan, Mendham, Jr., 5-11, 165
When Mendham needed goals, it was Ryan that answered the bell. He led Mendham with 18 goals and was tied with his older brother Stephen Ryan for the team lead in assists with 10. Stephen was an All-Group 3 selection by NJ.com. Calvin Ryan struck for five goals and two assists during Mendham's run to the Group 3 championship. He scored both of Mendham's goals in the state final.
ALSO: Duncan Swanwick of Morris Catholic is the NJ.com Coach of the Year
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
F-Jack Sarkos, Mainland, Jr., 6-1, 175
Sarkos was a scoring machine up top for Mainland with 26 goals. He did more than just find twine and was tied for second on the team with eight assists. During Mainland's run to the Group 3 final he scored five goals and had two assists. He scored three hat tricks this season.
Richard J. McCormack photo
F-Paul Kondratowicz, St. Peter's Prep, Sr., 5-11, 175
Kondratowicz was the catalyst for St. Peter's Prep's attack all season. He found the back of the net a team-high 22 times and finished tied for second on the team with nine assists - one behind team leader Christian Arcos. St. Peter's Prep was 12-1 when Kondratowicz scored. He recorded three hat tricks and scored SPP's lone goal in its sectional quarterfinal loss to Bergen Catholic.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
M-Andrew Beamer, Princeton, Sr., 6-3, 180
Beamer, a big, physical, box-to-box midfielder, scored 22 goals and led Princeton to its first-ever appearance in the Group 4 final this season. Beamer proved to be nearly impossible to mark and his willingness to play in every part of the field made him a major asset to Princeton’s storied program. Beamer scored the game-winning goal to lift Princeton past Hunterdon Central in the Central Jersey, Group 4 final and had Princeton’s lone tally in the Group 4 final loss to Kearny.
Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
M-Omar Sowe, Harrison, Jr., 6-1, 185
Sowe can do it all for Harrison. He loaded up the stat sheet this season and led Harrison with 37 goals and 31 assists. He recorded four hat tricks and 12 multi-goal games. He recorded four hat tricks and 12 multi-goal games. When Sowe scored, Harrison was 19-2.
READ: Omar Sowe of Harrison is the NJIC Player of the Year
Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
M-Adam Silva, Seton Hall Prep, Sr., 5-9, 150
Silva was the playmaker for Seton Hall Prep after coming in with his brother Paul from the academy circuit this season. He lead the Pirates with 21 assists and had seven goals. He had three assists in the state tournament as the Essex County Tournament champs battled to the North Jersey, Non-Public A final.
Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
D-Maurice Williams, West Orange, Sr., 6-2, 175
Williams was a beast on the back line for West Orange. With his help West Orange that posted 12 shutouts and allowed more than one goal in a game just four times. Despite being a center back, Williams' frame allowed him to be a force up top on set pieces as well. He finished the season with six goals and two assists. He put home the overtime game-winner when West Orange knocked off Morris Knolls in the North 1, Group 4 quarterfinals.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
D-John Askin, Christian Brothers, Sr., 5-10, 150
Askin, the lone returning starter from last year’s record-setting team at CBA, was the go-to player on and off the field for the Colts this season. Askin anchored Christian Brothers’ back line and played a prominent role in the Colts setting the program record for shutouts with 16 clean sheets. Askin helped CBA reach the Non-Public A final for the third year in a row and win 20 games in a year when many doubted how good this CBA team could be.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
D-John Gerard, Delbarton, Sr., 6-1, 172
The Colgate-recruit was at the heart of Delbarton’s run to the Non-Public A title and the Morris County Tournament championship. As a center back, he helped the Green Wave post 12 shutouts and didn't allow more than one goal in a game. He helped Delbarton in the attacking third as well with four goals and two assists.
Keith A. Muccilli | For NJ Advance Media
G-Owen Wolfson, Pingry, Sr., 6-1, 180
Wolfson, a true leader in the back for Pingry, compiled 12 shutouts and helped the Big Blue earn a co-championship in the Somerset County Tournament with rival Bridgewater-Raritan after playing to a scoreless draw. Wolfson also earned a shutout against a high-powered Holmdel team that was able to score at will against most of its competition.
FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
F-Anthony Arena, Holmdel, Jr., 5-10, 180
Arena emerged as one of N.J.’s most prolific strikers this season, scoring a school-record 35 goals to go along with 25 assists at the top of Holmdel’s dangerous attack. In his most impressive game of the season, Arena scored a record five goals in the Shore Conference Tournament final, leading Holmdel to a 7-1 win over Ocean Township for the program’s first-ever SCT title. Arena also led Holmdel to the Group 2 title, just the second in Holmdel’s program history.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
F-Tommy Scalici, Morris Knolls, Jr., 5-10, 150
The junior forward finished second in the state with 41 goals. He does so much more than just score and was sixth in N.J. with 23 assists. As the catalyst for Morris Knolls’ offense, Scalici scored seven hat trick, including two four goal performances. When Scalici scored, Morris Knolls was 18-2-1.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
M-Jose Escandon, Kearny, Jr., 5-4, 130
NJ.com’s 2017 player of the year is as exciting of a player as they come. The talented junior can do it all as an attacking midfielder. He has astonishing footwork, great passing and a deadly shot that makes him a threat from virtually anywhere on the field. He led the Hudson County Tournament champs with 22 goals and 17 assists. During Kearny's run to the Group 4 championship, he had six goals and one assists. He scored twice in Kearny's 3-1 state championship win over Princeton. Kearny finished the season undefeated.
READ: Jose Escandon of Kearny is the NJ.com Player of the Year
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
M-Kian Alberto, Delbarton, Sr., 5-8, 141
The Colgate-recruit is as good at controlling the game as anyone. He can facilitate the ball to attackers seemingly with ease and helped spearhead Delbarton’s undefeated season, Morris County Tournament championship and Non-Public A title run with 10 goals and seven assists.
Chris Monroe | For NJ Advance Media
M-Sebastian Varela, Ramapo, Sr., 6-0, 170
Varela is as clutch of a player as they come. He has played in four Bergen County Tournament finals and hasn’t lost any of them. He has the game-winning goal in three of those four Bergen County Tournament finals, including this season. The Lafayette-recruit was tied with Andrew Furman for Ramapo's lead with 18 goals and led the team with 17 assists.
Andrew Miller | For NJ Advance Media
M-Matt Hoyt, Monroe, Sr., 6-1, 185
Hoyt, one of the best midfielders in the state this season, finally took center stage as a senior after prominent years as a junior and sophomore. This season, Hoyt had 20 goals and 30 assists – setting the all-time program record for career assists at 66 – to lead the Falcons. Behind Hoyt, Monroe won its first Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament title since 2014 and wrapped up another Red Division title.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
M-John Strohlein, Delran, Sr., 6-2, 175
Strohlein, a two-time captain for one of the state’s most respected programs, had a stellar senior season in the midfield for Delran. Strohlein, named an All-American in September, had 13 goals for the Bears this season and used his physicality to dictate the pace in the midfield all season. Behind Strohlein, Delran kept up its legacy this season, winning a third straight South Jersey, Group 2 sectional title.
MORE: Delbarton is the NJ.com Team of the Year
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
D-Will Stroud, Delbarton, Sr., 5-8, 145
If you were watching Delbarton’s attack develop you might think Stroud is a forward because of how involved he is. Stroud, in fact, is a defender, but he is just so fast. The dangerous outside back scored three goals and led the Green Wave with 11 assists. The Colgate-recruit scored the game-winner in the Morris County Tournament final with 24 seconds left.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
D-Mark Forbes, Delbarton, Sr., 6-0, 155
The Villanova-recruit was a key piece as Delbarton’s center back. While he spearheaded a back line that posted 12 shutouts and didn't allow more than one goal in a game, he also got involved in the offense with five goals and three assists. He scored the lone goal in Delbarton's 1-0 win over Pingry in the North Jersey, Non-Public A semis and potted a goal during the Morris County Tournament final victory.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
D-Brady Regan, Bridgewater-Raritan, Sr., 6-2, 170
Regan anchored Bridgewater-Raritan’s back line this season, holding some of the state’s top teams to limited chances. As a team, Bridgewater-Raritan conceded just 10 goals on its way to an unbeaten record and a North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 sectional title. Bridgewater-Raritan also earned a co-championship with Pingry in the Somerset County Tournament final after playing to a scoreless tie.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
G-Shane Keenan, Christian Brothers, Sr., 5-11, 160
Keenan joined Christian Brothers from the academy ranks and was made an immediate impact. As one of N.J.’s top keepers this season, Keenan set the CBA record for 16 shutouts and led the Colts to a third straight South Jersey, Non-Public A sectional title. Keenan’s athleticism and ability to track the ball, particularly, in the air made him tough to beat all season.
PLUS: Boys soccer homepage
Brian Deakyne may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDeakyne. Richard Greco may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Richard_V_Greco. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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