This high school boys soccer season was highlighted by dominant teams, a few first-in-a-long-time breakthrough runs, and a plethora of stellar individual performances that resulted in 19 local players earning all-state recognition.
With that, of course, there are several athletes for whom a legitimate case can be made for them being considered a cut above. So, before the lohud All-Stars are revealed next month, you can chime in on some of the top candidates in this readers’ choice poll for the lohud Boys Soccer Player of the Year, presented by White Plains Hospital.
Read about a handful of the standouts below and cast your vote. The poll will be open until Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. and the winner will be featured on the lohud sports social media accounts.
Max Cotrone, North Salem
The three-sport star had another superb soccer season, essentially duplicating the success of last fall despite losing several key teammates to graduation. With his physicality and savvy, the senior earned all-state honors again after anchoring a stout defense that led North Salem to its second straight Class C state championship. Behind Cotrone, the Tigers held opponents to 1.04 goals per game, despite competing against several large-school opponents in the regular season.
Lex Cox, Rye
He was a force in the defensive midfield, and his combination of height, skill and tenacity often created matchup challenges for opponents. The senior consistently got stops, won possessions and pushed the ball in transition for an efficient team that repeated as section champion and reached the Class A state final. The University of Chicago commit was an all-state selection and is an All-American nominee.
Mylo Langlais, Harrison
The midfielder helped spark a turnaround for the Huskies that included the team doubling its win total from last fall en route to the Class AA state semifinals. The all-state standout was a factor on both ends and a go-to weapon for the offense, leading Harrison through a difficult playoff bracket and to its first Section 1 title since 2008.
Aidan Paris-Devane, Mahopac
The senior led Mahopac in a breakthrough season and shined as a facilitator and scorer in the midfield. His production as a dual-threat playmaker helped the Wolf Pac improve by eight wins from last year and excel in the playoffs, reaching the Class AA section final. Paris-Devane had 14 goals and 13 assists, earning all-state and league MVP honors.
Jero Velasquez, New Rochelle
The senior goalkeeper was remarkable, leading the Huguenots to a share of the Class AAA section championship. He demonstrated his athleticism and instincts throughout the season with spectacular saves, earned all-state honors for the second time and was voted by coaches the section’s Large Schools Player of the Year. Velasquez is also a nominee for All-American.
Mile Zivkovic, Albertus Magnus
With his strength, shot placement and a knack for finding openings in a defense, the senior striker was a prolific scorer who led the Falcons to their first Section 1 Class B title since 2006. The Old Dominion commit even elevated his game in the playoffs, helping underdog Albertus Magnus reach the state semifinals. He received all-state honors and was named Section 1’s Small Schools Player of the Year.
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Boys soccer readers choice vote, presented by White Plains Hospital
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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