SHRUB OAK – Section 1 champions across five enrollment classes were crowned this weekend.
Here’s the schedule of games.
Saturday, Nov. 1
Section 1 Class AA final at Lakeland HS, 4:30 p.m.: Harrison 3, Mahopac 1
Section 1 Class A final at Lakeland HS, 7 p.m.: Rye 5, Pleasantville 0
Sunday, Nov. 2
Section 1 Class AAA final at Lakeland HS, noon: John Jay-East Fishkill 1, New Rochelle 1 (John Jay wins on PKs, 4-3)
Section 1 Class B final at Lakeland HS, 2:30 p.m.: Albertus Magnus 4, Briarcliff 2
Section 1 Class C final at Lakeland HS, 5 p.m.: North Salem 4, Haldane 1
Class C: North Salem erupts in second half against Haldane to 3-peat
At a critical juncture in their soccer season, the North Salem players convened to discuss a matter pertaining to camaraderie and team unity.
Was everyone onboard? Would there be a level of commitment comparable to what their predecessors had shown?
“We started something last year and we wanted to continue it as a tradition,” senior Max Cotrone said of the conversation two weeks ago. “Everyone was in.”
And so, the crew visited a salon and asked the hairdressers to hook them up with identical tones, then patiently sat through the bleaching process.
The idea to sport blonde locks during the playoffs was berthed last fall, when the Tigers’ dream season culminated in a state championship. Despite the graduation of nine players from that team, this group bears quite the resemblance — figuratively, of course, and in a “Real Slim Shady” music video sort of way.
After a disappointing first half, the Tigers went “Super Saiyan,” scoring four unanswered goals to beat third-seeded Haldane, 4-1, and capture a third consecutive Section 1 Class C title.
“I’ve been playing with these guys all my life, and that makes it feel even more special to do something like this,” senior Aidan Santis said. “We know each other well and know how to play together, and we get to have moments like this.”
Next up
North Salem (14-3-1) advances to face Long Island’s Port Jefferson in a subregional on Wednesday, 5 p.m. at Hendrick Hudson High School.
The Tigers are particularly eager for this showdown, Cotrone said, after noticing some social media taunting from the Section 11 champs.
Takeaways
Santis netted the go-ahead goal with 26:57 remaining, collecting a rebound left of the box then lining a shot into the upper right corner.
The Tigers struggled to gain cohesion in the first half, and the possibility of an upset became real when Haldane scored first in the 31st minute.
Gellio Duarte rebounded a long deflection of his own free kick on the left flank, then blasted a shot into the far corner, sending the Blue Devils to halftime with a lead and confidence.
“I asked them, ‘How do you feel right now? How do you want to feel in 40 minutes?'” said Tigers coach Ron Hendrie, whose team beat Haldane twice in the regular season. “It wasn’t so much about strategic changes but getting the basic right. We needed to make better touches, create better spacing, get to more 50/50 balls.”
North Salem controlled possession and was aggressive in the opening minutes of the second half, connecting well on passes and transitioning quickly. A fortuitous “handball” call set up Liam Keegan’s tying penalty kick with 35:11 left.
“Haldane is a good team, but we expected to come out stronger than we did,” Keegan said. “Getting that goal back right away was big for us.”
Juben Lazri essentially sealed the win with 8:10 to go, firing from just inside the 20 into the upper left corner for a 3-1 lead. Sean Randall added a goal in the 78th minute.
Players of the Game
Cotrone, a standout defender, anchored a back line alongside Jameson Juan and Orlando Mulaj that contained the Blue Devils in the second half, seldom allowing them to turn and drive, and alleviating pressure on goalie Anthony Federice.
They said it
“Whenever you lose players and add new faces, it changes the dynamic of a team,” Hendrie said. “I told these guys, ‘We’re not the state champions. That was last year’s team.’ You’ve gotta paint your own picture, write your own narrative.”
“Each one of these feels better than the last,” Cotrone said of the three championships. “We’ve been working at this for years, putting in the time to make it possible. And we’re not done yet.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
Game notes
NORTH SALEM WINS: The Tigers erupted for four second-half goals to beat Haldane, 4-1, and win a third straight Section 1 title.
FOUR UNANSWERED: North Salem adds a fourth goal with a minute left, extending its lead to 4-1.
NORTH SALEM GOES UP 3-1: Juben Lazri blasted a shot from about the 20 into the upper left corner, upping the Tigers’ lead to 3-1 with 8:10 remaining.
NORTH SALEM GOES AHEAD: Aidan Santis scored with 26:57 remaining to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
NORTH SALEM TIES IT: Liam Keegan scored on a penalty kick, lining a shot into the left corner to tie the score at 1 with 35:11 remaining.
HALFTIME: Haldane leads 1-0 at the half.
HALDANE TAKES THE LEAD: Gellio Duarte scored in the 32nd minute, rebounding his own free kick and lining banger from the left flank into the far corner.
North Salem has won two straight section titles and rolled to the Class C state championship last fall. This group has again excelled, dominating the small (and some medium-sized) schools in Section 1, and looks capable of another deep postseason run. The Tigers beat Haldane twice in the regular season, most recently a 1-0 win on Oct. 8.
Haldane lost to North Salem in the semifinals the previous two seasons, but this program has shown before an ability to overachieve in the playoffs. The Blue Devils made a surprise run in 2022 and captured their first state championship. They’ll be a heavy underdog in this matchup, of course, but Roth Westphal is an explosive scorer who represents a constant threat.
Class B: Zivkovic hat trick leads Albertus Magnus over Briarcliff
Being the child of a longtime soccer coach, for Colin Fitzpatrick, meant plenty of afternoons spent watching practices and evenings working the sideline during games as a ball boy.
It also meant hearing stories about the past, and how great Albertus Magnus used to be.
“I wasn’t born yet, but I know a lot about 2006,” the senior said, referring to the year his father guided the program to a state championship. “And from when I was a little kid, I imagined myself being on the field for this team and winning a championship with my dad.”
That storied season holds additional significance to the Falcons, because it was the last time they had won the section. That is, until a childhood promise was fulfilled on Nov. 2.
Mile Zivkovic scored three goals, and Colin Fitzpatrick anchored the midfield, leading Albertus Magnus to a 4-2 win over Briarcliff that delivered a long-awaited Section 1 Class B title.
“Colin would say, ‘I’m gonna get you back there one day,'” coach Brian Fitzpatrick said while fight back tears. Another of his sons, Jack, serves as an assistant coach. “I consider the whole team family, but to accomplish this alongside my own children, that makes it even more special.”
Next up
The Falcons (16-3) advance to face Section 9’s Mount Academy in a subregional Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. at Goshen High School.
Takeaways
Recording a hat trick in a championship game was especially rewarding for Zivkovic, whose high school career was truncated by injuries, including a fractured shin and clavicle.
“It’s an unreal feeling, but it’s only made possible with the backing of my teammates,” said Zivkovic, who also credited the group for their emotional support when he endured setbacks.
The striker struck twice in the last 11 minutes of the first half, putting No. 3 Albertus Magnus in control. Eighth-seeded Briarcliff did create chances, including two shots late in the first half that narrowly missed. But the Falcons applied heavy pressure immediately in the second half and pulled away.
Jahziel Sandoval scored with 35:05 remaining, then Zivkovic made it 4-0 a minute later. Jack Perri had two assists, DJ Louis and Fitzpatrick each had one, and Niber Chicaiza made six saves.
Briarcliff got on the board in the 49th minute and Zach Witkowski’s goal pulled them to within 4-2 with 9:43 left. The Bears (10-7-2) had defied the odds in reaching the final, eking out three consecutive playoff wins, including a quarterfinal upset of No. 1 Rye Neck.
Albertus Magnus, meanwhile, has looked the part of a championship squad since mid-September and now could be poised for a deep postseason run.
Player of the Game
Brian Fitzpatrick called Zivkovic a “pure scorer” who has delivered “when the games matter most.” The senior has been torrid down the stretch as the offense created better synergy. That, of course, coincided with the Falcons winning 14 of their last 15 games.
They said it
“It means everything,” Brian Fitzpatrick said of the victory. “This is a great team, a great group of kids, and they deserve it all.”
“The girls have gotten it done for years and we’re proud of them,” Zivkovic said of the Albertus Magnus girls team, defending state champs, also capturing a section title on Sunday. “Now it’s our turn to try to accomplish what they have.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
Game notes
ALBERTUS MAGNUS WINS: The Falcons beat Briarcliff, 4-2, to capture the Section 1 Class B title and advance to the subregional against Section 9’s Mount Academy on Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at Goshen High School.
BRIARCLIFF GETS WITHIN 4-2: Zach Witkowski scored during a scrum in front of the goal with 9:43 remaining.
BRIARCLIFF GETS ON THE BOARD: The Bears got on the board and pulled within 4-1 in the 49th minute.
MAGNUS MAKES IT 4-0: Zivkovic notched the hat trick with 34:10 left, scoring on a fast break and firing into the left corner.
MAGNUS GOES UP 3-0: Jahziel Sandoval scored to take a 3-0 lead with 35:05 left in the second half.
HALFTIME: Albertus Magnus takes a 2-0 lead to the half. Briarcliff had two good runs in the final three minutes of the first half, including a shot that just missed with 2:56 to go and another that hit the post with 1:39 left.
MAGNUS GOES UP 2-0: Zivkovic scored his second goal of the half, driving up the right flank on a fast break and firing into the corner with 1:05 left.
MAGNUS TAKES THE LEAD: Mile Zivkovic scored in the 29th minute to put the Falcons up 1-0.
Briarcliff, going after its first section title since 2022, is on quite a Cinderella run. The eighth-seeded underdogs have squeaked out three straight overtime wins in the playoffs, including toppling No. 1 Rye Neck and edging Bronxville in penalty kicks. The group insists its playing without the pressure of expectations because they’ve already accomplished more than most outsiders thought possible. That doesn’t mean there won’t be an intensity and burning desire to win, certainly not with a championship on the line.
Albertus Magnus has won 13 of its last 14 games and has looked the part of a title contender since mid-September. They beat Briarcliff twice in the regular season during that run. The Falcons have a stout defense and goalkeeper, and enough capable scorers to keep a defense from focusing exclusively on anyone. This group is seeking to deliver the seventh section championship in program history.
The winner advances to face Section 9’s Mount Academy in a subregional on Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at Goshen High School.
Class AAA: John Jay rallies to beat New Rochelle in penalty kicks
Logan Matthews had convinced himself, with no uncertainty, that he was going to win the game for his team. He envisioned it, determined in his mind how he would strike the ball and the trajectory it would take, and how meaningful it would be for John Jay-East Fishkill.
And then he missed his mark.
“Yeah,” the senior said with a chuckle, “I had intended for it to go more toward the center.”
His shot being off a bit will be a footnote in the story of the Patriots’ season and, for him, made the moment even sweeter.
Because the keeper dove toward the center of the goal while Matthews’ shot hooked a few feet to the left, going just behind the goalie and into the net. Off-target, but on the money.
That kick completed for John Jay a rally from behind in a nail-biting round of penalty kicks, which followed a rally from behind in a nail-biting match to upset New Rochelle, 1-1 (4-3), in the Section 1 Class AAA final.
Technically, the teams earned a share of the championship, but the second-seeded Patriots advance beyond the section for the first time since 2014.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Matthews said Nov. 2. “We’ve been a solid team, but trying to get over the top was a struggle. We finally put it all together, and we freaking won!”
Longtime coach Rob Seipp, who led the Patriots to a state title in 2000, now begins the pursuit of another alongside his son, senior Austin Seipp. That, of course, made an incredible triumph even more sentimental for them.
New Rochelle went up 3-1 in penalty kicks, but Nick Naso made diving stops on the Huguenots’ two potential clinching shots, and John Jay delivered under pressure. Lucas Riverso, Sean Viebrock and Justin Ortiz each tallied, preceding Matthews’ winner.
“It’s amazing!” Naso said. “We had our backs against the wall, and we had to make it happen under pressure.”
Next up
John Jay (14-2-2) advances to face Section 9’s Kingston or Newburgh in a subregional Wednesday at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park.
Takeaways
Angel Magana scored a minute into the second half for New Rochelle, but Ortiz answered with 30:53 remaining. The junior took a pass from Seipp up the left flank and lined a shot into the near corner.
The top-seeded Huguenots (14-2-2) controlled possession for most of the half, and the two overtimes, but center back Uriel Botchway anchored a defense with Michael Versace and Justin Brancamp that staved them off and nullified several quality runs.
Naso made eight saves, including two in overtime and the two in penalty kicks that kept their season alive.
“It means everything,” he said. “John Jay hasn’t accomplished this in a while, and we wanted to restore the glory days.”
Jero Velasquez was spectacular for New Rochelle, the all-state star making six saves and scoring in the round of PKs. Several of the Huguenots were understandably inconsolable afterwards.
Player of the Game
Ortiz twice breathed life into the Patriots, tying the score in regulation and then delivering a liner into the left corner that tied it at 3 in penalty kicks.
They said it
“We unlocked something in our offense in the second half of the season,” Naso said of a late-season hot streak that included a win over New Rochelle to clinch the No. 2 seed. “ “Our finishing has gotten so much better, and guys like Justin, Sean, Austin and Lucas Riverso have been great.”
“It was a tough situation because New Rochelle has a fantastic goalkeeper, but I still believed we were gonna do it,” Rob Seipp said. “We’ve worked a lot on PKs and we have a lot of faith in our goalies… This is a special group and I’m honored to be part of it.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
Game notes
FINAL: John Jay-East Fishkill 1, New Rochelle 1 (John Jay wins on penalty kicks, 4-3).
PENALTY KICKS: New Rochelle had a shot go off the right post and narrowly miss deflecting in with two seconds left in the second overtime. But the teams remain tied at 1 and it’ll be decided on PKs.
DOUBLE OT: New Rochelle dominated possession in the first overtime and three corners, but John Jay was resilient. The Patriots got two shots off in the final minute. But the teams remain tied at 1. To the second 15…
OVERTIME: The teams played about evenly in the second half, both creating chances and being denied, and it was a scoreless period. They’ll go to overtime still tied at 1.
JOHN JAY TIES IT: Justin Ortiz scored on a fast break with 30:53 remaining, pulling the Patriots even at 1.
NEW ROCHELLE TAKES THE LEAD: The Huguenots applied pressure immediately in the second half and broke through on Angel Magana’s goal 1:32 into the period for a 1-0 lead.
HALFTIME: The teams played a scoreless first half, but each threatened to score at least once. New Rochelle had the advantage in possession and drew five corner kicks.
NEW ROCHELLE THREATENS: The Huguenots’ best chance to score was with 26:42 left in the period, when they got off two quality shots in a few seconds. The first attempt was deflected by John Jay goalie Nick Naso on a dive to his left. The ball was rebounded by New Rochelle and sent toward the far corner, but it just nicked off the post and deflected out.
WHAT A KICK: Jero Velasquez’s punt from his own 35 nearly went into the John Jay goal with 16:39 left. The goalie sent a booming kick that carried over everyone and just went over the crossbar.
CLOSE CALLS: The Patriots got off two shots, including an open look on a fast break at 31:40, forcing Velasquez to make a diving stop. Uriel Bothchway also stopped a New Rochelle fast break, getting a turnover at 22:24.
John Jay-East Fishkill is after its first Section 1 championship since 2014. The Patriots have long been among the better teams in the section, but they’re enjoying a breakout season a year after falling in double overtime of the sectional quarterfinals.
New Rochelle also lost in overtime of the quarterfinals last season but, with a relatively young team returning its core, there was the expectation of a big step forward this season. The Huguenots announced themselves with early-season wins over Arlington and North Rockland and built momentum.
John Jay finished the regular season on a torrid run, including a 3-1 win over New Rochelle to close. That game probably will serve both as a source of confidence or the Patriots and of motivation for New Rochelle, itching to prove it was an aberration.
The winner advances to face Section 9’s Kingston or Newburgh in a subregional Tuesday at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School. The Section 9 final was postponed to Nov. 3 because of weather.
Rye pulls off the repeat in 5-0 win over Pleasantville for ‘A’ title
SHRUB OAK – Just like that, a close game turned into a decided advantage for the Rye boys soccer team.
The Garnets scored three goals in 7½ minutes in the second half to pull away from Pleasantville, 5-0, and capture their second straight Section 1 Class A title.
“We played with grit, we played with determination, and we were really purposeful in our decision making throughout the night,” Rye coach Jared Small said. “We’ve got a lot of really good players, and they’re getting better each day.”
Less than three minutes in, Kasen Scarperi netted the first of his two goals and that score stuck for a while. Pleasantville consistently challenged, but after thwarting some Panthers chances, Alex Rojas and Felix Wismer scored 1:12 apart before Scarperi added another about six minutes later. Eduardo Kehoe tapped in a fifth goal to put the game far out of reach.
Takeaways
Rye plays with a control and smoothness and even in tense moments, keep their heads. This was a Section 1 final against a great opponent, and the Garnets never wavered.
“I think once we got the second one we just started getting more comfortable, moving the ball so much better,” Rye co-captain Lex Cox said. “It really showed what we can do when we’re in the flow.”
What brings these players together?
“I think there’s two things,” Small said. “There’s the love of the sport. And then there’s the love and profound belief in the community of Rye, which is really special.”
Player of the game
Rye plays as a unit, but Alec Dodge Terra stood out as someone who controlled play and set up multiple chances for his teammates.
They said it
“We always have our backs,” Rye co-captain Shun Nagata said .”Even if someone makes a mistake, we always have the other 10 to pick the other one up.”
Up next
Rye faces Section 9 champion New Paltz in a regional semifinal 5 p.m. Wednesday at Goshen High School.
Game updates
Final score: Rye 5, Pleasantville 0
3:32 left: Eduardo Kehoe taps one in to give Rye a 5-0 lead.
17:16 left, second half. Rye 4, Pleasantville 0. Ball bounced around a few times. Scarperi’s second goal of the game.
23:28 left, second half. Rye 3, Pleasantville 0. Felix Wismer on an assist from Alec Dodge Terra. Two goals in 1:12 and the Garnets are in control.
24:40 left, second half. Rye 2, Pleasantville 0. Alex Rojas with a big boot that makes it through to give the Garnets an insurance tally.
27:48 left, second half. Rye 1, Pleasantville 0. Rye keeper Will Alexander with a point black save on Gavin Kayizzi
32:33 left, second half. Rye 1, Pleasantville 0. Rye followed up a Pleasantville free kick opportunity with a mad dash down the field and a shot over the net. Pleasantville still poised to pounce on the next Rye mistake.
Halftime: Rye 1, Pleasantville 0: Rye had a couple good chances on set pieces, stymied by Pleasantville. Good match so far. Pleasantville desperately needs Rye to make some mistakes in the midfield or the back and they’re only getting table scraps.
14:39 left, 1st half. Rye 1, Pleasantville 0: Rye’s had the better of possession and opportunities. Pleasantville is trying to get something going, but the Garnets are winning most battles.
21:50 left, 1st half, Rye 1, Pleasantville 0: Nicholas Tassier just shot wide on another great Panthers chance.
26:17 left, 1st half, Rye 1, Pleasantville 0: Pleasantville just had its best chance of the period in the Rye box, but Garnets defender Christian Hofmann calmly kicked it away, right on the doorstep.
37:10 left, 1st half, Rye 1, Pleasantville 0: Kasen Scarperi scores on an assist from Felix Wismer on a great pass and a wonderful finish.
Harrison’s defense stands tall in 3-1 win over Mahopac for ‘AA’ title
SHRUB OAK – Harrison’s defense stood tall.
The Huskies scored twice in the first half and once in the second half, topping Mahopac 3-1 on Nov. 1 for the Section 1 Class AA championship.
Aside from a late goal off a corner, Harrison’s defense was solid on a windy Saturday afternoon as the Huskies won their first sectional title since 2008.
“Mahopac was a really strong team,” Harrison coach Alejandro Galeano said. “They came out really strong, very fast and we just defended.”
Galeano, in his seventh season coaching Harrison, said it’s always been about putting the town and the school on the map.
“High school soccer, people don’t understand, but it’s one of the most competitive sports,” Galeano said. “And we’re in one of the most competitive leagues that is so hard to win. But, I mean, we got it done.”
Takeaways
Henrik Boman struck first for Harrison in the first half in the ninth minute. While Mahopac had a good first half, the back breaker came with 1:33 left in the first half as senior Ellis Boyle scored off a Max Hersh corner kick.
“Sometimes we have butterflies, but once that evens out, we start playing our style of play,” Boyle said. “That’s how we create the structure. We get goals, we score goals, we defend the ball, and that’s how we’ve been able to win games and be able to get that goal in the first half.”
Mylo Langlais scored with 29:12 left in the second half to give Harrison a 3-0 lead. Mahopac’s Oliver Filip ended Harrison’s streak of clean sheets in the postseason at two, scoring off a James Healy corner with 5:36 left.
Players of the game
The Harrison back line, but especially Nils Boman and Owen Coffey. Harrison keeper Ryan Sottile credited the defense for setting the tone.
“Our two center backs are very strong,” Sottile said. “They get everything out. I rarely have to do anything. I feel like it’s really hard to stop our attack and our set pieces are top level.
They said it
“We got some lucky flicks that bounced our way,” Galeano said. “We kick it away. We defend, we got some goals on some set pieces and it helped us out.”
Up next
Harrison will face a Section 9 team at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park. Cornwall faces Warwick for the Section 9 Class AA title at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3.
Live updates from the game
Final score: Harrison 3, Mahopac 1
Harrison 3, Mahopac 1, 5:36 left: Oliver Filip scores off a James Healy corner for Mahopac. That’s the first goal Harrison’s given up since the first round of the tournament.
14 minutes left, still 3-0 Harrison. While the players in the back for Harrison have been great all game, it’s really the whole team staying poised under pressure.
Harrison’s back line has been really effective and poised when faced with any Mahopac offense. 20 minutes left, Harrison still with a 3-0 lead.
HARRISON 3, MAHOPAC 0: Mylo Langlais with a great shot after streaking down the left side with 29:12 left in the game gives the Huskies a big 3-0 lead. Harrison has played his just about as well as one can.
Mahopac’s Oliver Filip got the ball in the corner of the box, but Harrison defender Haruki Matsunaga had some footwork in a phonebooth to regain possession and get the ball out of trouble. 32:22 left, still 2-0 Harrison.
Halftime: Harrison 2, Mahopac 0.
HARRISON LEADS 2-0: Ellis Boyle scored off a Max Hersh corner kick with 1:33 left in the half to give Harrison a 2-0 lead. Disappointing for Mahopac to give up the late tally. Mahopac’s played well, but has no goals to show for it, and now needs two in the second half to get even.
A Harrison punt by the keeper sort of just died into the wind currently challenging the Huskies. Conditions a little tough with the decent wind.
Harrison’s defense has stood up to Mahopac’s threats early. Their players in the back have taken care of business so far. Great chance for James Healy of Mahopac with 20:30 left that went just wide.
HARRISON LEADS: Harrison strikes first with 32:46 left in the first half on a Henrik Boman goal.
We’re live from the championship game, which is set for 4:30 p.m.
The Section 1 Class AA champion will face the Section 9 champion at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park. Cornwall faces Warwick for the Section 9 Class AA title at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3.
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud. Phil Strum is local sports editor for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: John Jay, Magnus, North Salem, Rye, Harrison win 2025 Section 1 boys soccer titles
Reporting by Stephen Haynes and Phil Strum, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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