Portledge edges Stony Brook School in PKs to claim PSAA boys soccer crown

Portledge and Stony Brook School each owned a goal at the end of regulation in the Private Schools Athletic Association boys soccer championship match — same as last year’s final.

The winner of the game also turned out to be the same.

Second-seeded Portledge outscored the No. 1 Bears, 4-2, on penalty kicks Thursday at Cantiague Park to repeat after edging them, 2-1, in double overtime in 2021.

“Ecstatic,” Panthers coach Michael Cipriano said after junior striker Ian Alper helped power Portledge by scoring a first-half goal and converting one of the penalty kicks. “It was a very, very even game.”

“It goes to PKs and it’s a coin toss,” Bears coach Tim Beirne said. “It’s a reality of the game.”  

The reality is the Panthers, who had gone 0-1-1 against Stony Brook School in the regular season, get to move on. They will bring a 12-4-1 record into the New York State Association of Independent Schools tournament Tuesday.

“It’s a very, very good level,” said Cipriano, whose team bowed out in the opening round last season.  

Franklin Escobar will bring 29 goals, giving him 67 for his varsity run. The junior striker was also successful on one of the penalty kicks. Alper now has 24 goals. Senior center-back Henry Mercier has also had a strong season.

They helped the Panthers go 8-1-1 in regular-season PSAA play and secure their second-place finish behind the Bears.

“We struggled a little bit the first few games,” Cipriano said. “But as the season progressed, we played better, which is great.”

The team’s strength? Simple.

“Just their mentality and desire to compete and win,” Cipriano said.

This marked Stony Brook School’s third straight trip to the final, and third straight loss.

“We always try to say that one game doesn’t define us, basically,” Beirne said.

His team finished 12-4-1, including 9-0-1 to claim its regular-season title.

James Fay led the way with 16 goals and 11 assists. The junior forward delivered a goal in the first half of the final and converted a penalty kick.

“It was exceptional,” Beirne said of Fay’s season. “He’s clearly the best forward around.”

Senior center-forward Daniel Kim and junior midfielder John Fay, James’ twin brother, were also standouts.

“We had a great season,” Beirne said. “… Very talented (team), super resilient, and just a great attitude.”