Zach Tanner's goal gives St. Anthony's boys soccer CHSAA crown

The St. Anthony’s boys soccer team had conquered every obstacle except one this season. Twice they’d faced defending Catholic school champion Chaminade and each time they’d come away with a tie. When they got their third shot on Saturday – in the biggest game of the season to date – the Friars weren’t about to let it get away.

Zach Tanner made sure of it in the game’s 40th minute when he took a centering pass from Colin Johnston from the left wing, turned to the goal and fired a shot into the lower right corner of the net. His goal stood up as St. Anthony’s played a fabulous defensive game and finally grounded the Flyers for a 1-0 victory in the Nassau/Suffolk CHSAA championship game at Mitchel Athletic Complex.

St. Anthony’s (16-0-3) is the Long Island Catholic champion for the 25th time and third time in the last four years. The Friars will meet the Archdiocese of New York champion in a Friday night state semifinal at St. John’s University.

“We played like we wanted it more,” Tanner said. “We didn’t win it last year and they did. We got better and we were very motivated.”

Tanner, appropriately, was announced as the conference Player of the Year after the game. Center back Joe Joannou, who made big plays on the defensive end, was selected MVP of the title game. Chaminade’s Mike Gallagher was tabbed conference Coach of the Year.

‘What you saw tonight was team that got big games from a lot of different players – we played terrific,” St. Anthony’s coach Don Corrao said. “A record of 16-0-3 says a lot. It speaks to how outstanding we are as a team.”

Johnston was on the wing when he saw a window to center it to Tanner late in the first half for the goal.

“There was that eye contact,” Tanner said. “We are always looking for each other.

Added Johnston: “It was a big opportunity and he made the most of it.”

Chaminade (14-4-2) didn’t get that many scoring opportunities, in part because the Friars focused on taking away the long ball. But when they did, the goals didn’t materialize.

With 30 minutes left their best shot came off the post and Joannou headed it out of danger. The Flyers’ Garrett Smith made a breakaway bid for a goal with about 10 minutes left but it ended with Tanner making a sliding takeaway.

“We didn’t finish at the end on our chances,” Smith said.

“When things got really tough, our back line held together,” Joannou said. “We played the way you have to if you want to win a championship.”