Vote now: Who is the lohud boys soccer player of the decade?

There have been a number of standout players on the pitch in the Lower Hudson Valley over the last decade. We selected some of the top boys soccer headliners who graduated between 2010 and 2019. You get to vote for one finalist you think was better than all the rest.

Read about the decade’s biggest stars and cast your vote in our poll below. We’ll reveal our all-decade teams in December — including our own choice for player of the decade.

Steven Reiche: Lakeland, Class of 2012

Not much got by this guy, who helped the Hornets capture sectional and regional titles in 2011, recording 14 shutouts in 22 games. Reiche earned all-state, all-region and All-American honors. He was the Journal News/lohud Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam, as well. He earned a spot at Plattsburgh after two seasons of JUCO soccer at Bryant & Stratton

John Denis: Lakeland, Class of 2016

He was pouring in goals for the Hornets in 2014, finding the back of the net 31 times in a mere 15 games. That earned Denis all-state and all-region honors. He was also the 2014 Journal News/lohud Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam. Denis spent his final high school season with the USMNT u17 program and is currently on the roster at Columbia University.

Lakeland striker John Denis scored 31 goals for the Hornets as a junior and was named Journal News Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam.Buy Photo
Lakeland striker John Denis scored 31 goals for the Hornets as a junior and was named Journal News Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam. (Photo: Journal News file photo)

Jack Beer: Byram Hills, Class of 2017

After spending two seasons playing in the academy system, he came back to the Bobcats, finishing with 31 goals and 20 assists. Beer missed three games in 2016 following a preseason injury, but was the catalyst during an 11-1-1 tear. He was named all-state, all-region and All-American. Beer was also Journal News/lohud player of the year in 2016 and is playing at Georgetown.

Byram Hills’ Jack Beer (10) runs the ball downfieldBuy Photo
Byram Hills’ Jack Beer (10) runs the ball downfield during the game at Byram Hills High School in Armonk on Oct. 29, 2015. (Photo: Ricky Flores/The Journal News)

Alex Bourgeios: Hastings, Class of 2018

He was an imposing defensive force for the Yellow Jackets and humbly played the role of headliner in back-to-back Section 1 and NYSPHSAA regional championships. He was a lock-down artist during the 2016 state championship run. Bourgeios is a two-time all-state and all-region selection. He was also named All-American in 2017 and currently plays at the University at Albany.

Hastings’ Alex Bourgeois (6) and Jackson Silverstein (11) celebrate after their 3-1 win over West Hills to claim the NYSPHSAA Class B boys state soccer championship title at Middletown High School on Sunday, November 13, 2016. (Photo: John Meore/The Journal News)

Kaio DaSilva: Valhalla, Class of 2016

He was a standout on defense until the Vikings graduated all but two starters and needed scoring punch. DaSilva moved up. He wound up with 28 goals and 15 assists senior year. DaSilva was all-state three years running and was the Journal News/lohud Player of the Year for Westchester/Putnam in 2015. He signed with Old Dominion and later transferred to the University at Albany.

Valhalla’s Kaio DaSilva, right, is pressured by RyeBuy Photo
Valhalla’s Kaio DaSilva, right, is pressured by Rye Neck’s Fraser Shaw during their game at Rye Neck on Sept. 17. (Photo: Peter Carr/The Journal News)

Kevin Doorley: Pearl River, Class of 2017

He was a winner, helping the Pirates go 65-11-5 in a four-year span. Doorley was a cornerstone for the 2015 team that won a sectional title and got to the state final. He led Section 1 with 24 goals in 2016 and was picked all-state and all region. Doorley was also the 2016 Journal News/lohud Player of the Year in Rockland and currently plays at SUNY New Paltz.

Pearl River’s Kevin Doorley, left, is pressured byBuy Photo
Pearl River’s Kevin Doorley, left, is pressured by Lakeland’s Jordan Fein during the second annual Westchester vs. Rockland Challenge at Tappan Zee Oct. 11, 2014. Pearl River won 3-1. (Photo: Peter Carr/The Journal News)

Lucas Fecci: Somers, Class of 2019

He was right in the middle of the action, helping the Tuskers get into a pair of NYSPHSAA title games. Somers won the championship in 2016. Fecci scored in five straight playoff games last season, finishing his senior campaign with 23 goals and 12 assists. He was named all-state, all-region and All-American. Fecci was also the Journal News/lohud Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam.

Somers’ Lucas Fecci (10) chases a baall to the corner during their 2-1 loss to Amityville in the Class A boys state soccer final at Middletown High School in Middletown on Sunday, November 11, 2018. Buy Photo
Somers’ Lucas Fecci (10) chases a baall to the corner during their 2-1 loss to Amityville in the Class A boys state soccer final at Middletown High School in Middletown on Sunday, November 11, 2018. (Photo: John Meore/The Journal News)

Steven Hernandez: Port Chester, Class of 2016

He was an impact player over four-plus seasons and was just a freshman when he poured in seven postseason goals and led the Rams to a state title berth. Port Chester was 57-14-5 with Hernandez in the lineup. He was all-state and all-region in back-to-back seasons, finishing with nearly 50 goals. Hernandez went on to American International College.

hernandez4Buy Photo
Port Chester’s Steven Hernandez moves the ball in front of Byram Hills’ Michael Bordash during a game in Armonk on Sept. 4, 2015. (Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)

SHRUB OAK – There were more and more noteworthy combinations as the day unfolded, each one inspiring a sideways glance.

The goal here is to make a next-level impression.

More than 40 coaches from programs around the Northeast were expected to stop at the Hudson Valley College Showcase Camp for a look this week. There are 66 of the top boys players from the region on hand this year, learning new tricks and competing for attention.

“It’s a really fun experience,” said Nick Bassini, a senior goalkeeper from Lakeland. “There are kids from Section 1 and Section 9 so it’s fun to watch everyone play and come together. … It’s very competitive because everyone wants to put it out there for the college coaches.”

The camp debuted a year ago.

Lakeland coach Tim Hourahan, Mamaroneck coach Rich Becker and Somers coach Brian Lanzetta host the camp. Getting so many college coaches to come back for a second look further validates the depth of talent in the region.

“You have so many kids playing now,” longtime St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Graham Brown said. “Any chance to go ahead and see the kids playing, you should be going. There’s a lot of these around. Tim puts on a great show here. It’s a good facility. He brings great coaches in to do the clinic, so yeah, this is excellent.”

A wide majority of the coaches on hand are from NCAA Division III programs.

“There were some good players in the past, but I don’t know if there were enough to draw the college coaches we’ve been getting. The level of play in Section 1 is better than it was 10 years ago. I think the coaching in Section 1 is better than it was 10 years ago. The commitment to the game (is better). Section 1, if you talk to the college coaches here, it’s a definite hotbed.”

Many of the participants were hand-picked to ensure a high level of play.

They each paid $250 for three days of exposure and instruction. A different college coach ran a 90-minute training season each day. There were scrimmages and 11-on-11 matches with officials along with a Thursday recruiting seminar for players and parents.
A scary heat index forced the schedule for Saturday to be moved up, but the camp will still conclude with an all-star game.

“I don’t know the saying, how it goes, but when you play against someone who is better, you become as good as them or better than them,” said Jose Giron, a senior forward at Somers. “You learn from them. You learn from your mistakes and they tell you what you can do better.”

The competition for roster spots is fierce. According to the latest NCAA numbers, only 5.5 percent of the 456,362 boys soccer players in the U.S. last season made the jump to a college roster.

2019 Lakeland Boys Varsity Schedule

* League Opponents*
10 game Home and Away schedule

- Brewster
- John Jay CR
- Somers
- Walter Panas
- Yorktown

Non League Opponents
9/5 4.15pm Home v Saunders
9/9 6.30pm Home v Hen Hud

EVENTS
7th Annual Westchester v Rockland Challenge @ Lakeland High School (5 games on Labor Day)
7.00pm Lakeland v Clarkstown South

6th Annual Section 1 v Section 9 Day in Soccer @ Goshen High School (5 games on Columbus Day)
7.00pm Lakeland v Cornwall

2nd Annual NY v NJ Border War @ Union City HS NJ (3 games on Sat 9/21)
2.00pm Lakeland v Glen Rock N.J.

HUDSON VALLEY COLLEGE SHOWCASE CAMP

Coach’s Tim Hourahan from Lakeland High School, Brian Lanzetta from Somers H.S. and Rich Becker come together to host the

2nd Annual Hudson Valley College ID Camp from July 18th – 20th

at Lakeland H.S.

This Hudson Valley Showcase Camp is designed for the current high school soccer player who aspires to play college soccer in 2020 and beyond. All campers will be coached & trained by area college coaches from all over the North East throughout the camp. On top of that there will be numerous college coaches in attendance observing the 3 day clinic from all levels of play in the NCAA. Cost of camp is only $250 and is open to any and all students who will be in High School in September of 2019.

Camp itinerary includes:
– 90 minute training session run by College Coaching staffs
– Small Sided Tournaments
– 11 v 11 match’s
– All Star Game to conclude camp
– Recruiting Packet of all our players given to ALL college coaches in attendance at camp
– Recruiting Seminar for parents and players given by current Yale Assistant coach

Plus Much Much more

SESSIONS RUN BY THESE COLLEGE COACHES

THURSDAY 7/18 (10am – 2pm) SUNY Plattsburgh

FRIDAY 7/19 (10am – 2pm) Marist

SATURDAY 7/20 (10am – 2pm) SUNY Brockport (2018 SUNYAC Champs)

COLLEGE COACHES ATTENDING 2019 HUDSON VALLEY CAMP

*AS OF MAY 10th*

1. Bard – Liberty

2. Cazenovia – NEAC

3. Clarkson – Liberty

4. Concordia – CACC

5. Cobleskill – North Eastern Athletic

6. Curry College (MA)- The Commonwealth Coast Conference

7. Dominican – CACC

8. Elmira – Empire 8

9. Hamilton – NESCAC

10. Hunter – CUNYAC

11. Ithaca – Liberty League

12. Lehman – CUNYAC

13. Le Moyne – NE 10

14. Manhattan – MAAC

15. Marist – MAAC

16. Misericordia (PA)- MAC Freedom

17. Mount Saint Mary – Skyline 8

18. Penn College – NEA

19. Sage – Empire 8

20. Skidmore – Liberty

21. St. Thomas Aquinas – East Coast Conference

22. SUNY Brockport – SUNYAC

23. SUNY Canton – Northern Atlantic Conference

24. SUNY Delhi -ACAA

25. SUNY Geneseo – SUNYAC

26. SUNY New Paltz – SUNYAC

27. SUNY Old Westbury – Skyline

28. SUNY Oneonta – SUNYAC

29. SUNY Plattsburgh – SUNYAC

30. SUNY Potsdam – SUNYAC

31. SUNY Purchase – Skyline

32. Utica College – Empire 8

33. Westchester C.C. – Mid Hudson of NJCAA

34. West Conn (CT) – Little East Conference

35. Wilkes (PA) – MAC Freedom

36. Yale – Ivy League

LINK TO SEE 41 COLLEGE COACHES WHO WERE @ 2018 COLLEGE ID CAMP

http://www.lakelandboyssoccer.com/teams/848654-Lakeland-Boys-Soccer-soccer-team-website/documents

COMPLETE LIST OF COLLEGES THAT OUR 2018 ATHLETES ARE ATTENDING TO BE POSTED SOON*

Visit the 2019 FUTSAL LEAGUE TAB on the main page to see all rosters for the Boys Leagues

Schedules for each team are also posted.

Games begin Sunday January 6th and all players will receive a jersey at the first game

Any questions please Contact Coach Hourahan
thourahan@lakelandschools.org