Proven final-third output
Few teams return as much attacking certainty as St. Peter’s and St. Joseph by-the-Sea.
- Kenworthy comes back as the headline scorer after leading the NYCHSAA in goals.
- James Rockefeller adds midfield punch for St. Peter’s after a big contribution in the 2025 quarterfinal win over Spellman.
- Giovanni Brusco gives St. Joseph by-the-Sea elite creation and finishing with 15 goals and 27 assists.
- Mateo Varela adds another 12 goals and 19 assists for a side that went 15-0-1 in league play.
Those numbers matter because St. Joseph by-the-Sea did not just win - it overwhelmed opponents, scoring 115 goals in 17 games on the way to the CHSAA A title.
Farrell’s reset, with key pieces intact
Monsignor Farrell enters the new season from a position of strength after lifting the NY Archdiocesan, CHSAA AA Intersectional and Mayors Cup titles. The challenge is replacing outgoing talent.
- Arlind Zhabjaku returns after posting eight goals and four assists.
- Dean Cardinale brings balance in midfield after earning All-League honors and sharing team MVP recognition.
Farrell may not rely on one headline scorer. Its edge could come from structure, game control and players who can handle bigger roles.
PSAL teams have core pieces back
The PSAL picture is also competitive.
- Curtis gets back defender Thomas Bishop and midfielder Joshua Cedeno, who finished with five goals and five assists.
- Tottenville retains versatile contributors in Maxim Chernin, Andrew Kishchenko and Josh Gluck after reaching the PSAL 3A final.
- New Dorp will lean on Juan Rojas and Geovany Mejia-Cruz after heavy roster turnover.
- Susan Wagner has a defensive platform with Ronaldo Alvarado-Sanchez and a clinical option in Ibrahim Gbla.
The early weeks should reveal whether proven individual output can turn into another title push. With so many established names returning, the first major storyline is simple: which star starts fastest, and which team turns continuity into silverware?