Three LIers named All-Americans

South Side’s Mark Romanowski and Brentwood’s Jeffrey Medina and Jonathan Interiano were named All-Americans by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America last week. Romanowski and Medina were among just eight defenders from around the country to earn the honor.

Romanowski constantly man-marked the opposing team’s best player while playing centerback. A four-year starter and two-year captain, Romanowski won two county championships as a freshman and sophomore and played in three county finals during his career.

“There’s no better way to end my high school career,” Romanowski said. “I had an internal goal to be named an All-American, and having completed that goal is a great feeling. I couldn’t have done it without the help from my team.”

Before the year, Romanowski was forced to choose between playing for his academy team and playing for his high school. He chose to return to South Side for one last shot at a county title.

“That was a tough decision for me,” he said. “[My academy team] had some of the best players in the country. But I felt like I had some unfinished business to get back to. Unfortunately we weren’t able to win counties this year, but we had a good run. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Medina led a defense that allowed just eight goals, three in the playoffs, this year. One of the best defenders in the country, Medina was the only player from New York to play in the High School Soccer All-American game this past Saturday in Birmingham, Al. Medina will be playing for Stony Brook next year.

Interiano recorded nine goals and ten assists this year. Interiano scored goals in big games, including the game-winner in the Long Island championship. Interiano will be playing for Albany next year.