Newsday's annual look at the top high school boys soccer players on Long Island, listed in alphabetical order, heading into the season. All statistics listed are from last season, unless otherwise noted.

Justin Abbasi, Manhasset, F, Sr.
Abbasi had an impact as a junior, posting five goals and three assists. New coach Gabe Ramos lauded the second-year starter’s ability to play at striker or as an attacking midfielder and added, “His combination of strength, quickness and skill makes him an all-around threat and difficult matchup for any opponent.”

Miles Abdeldaim, Kellenberg, M, Sr.
A captain and returning Top 100 player, Abdeldaim played a pivotal role in the middle of the field for a 14-win team a year ago. The center midfielder is a third-year starter.

Ager Agirregomezkorta, Bay Shore, F, Sr.
Agirregomezkorta transferred from Florida and contributed seven goals and four assists as a starter. “Ager can dribble and shoot well with both feet,” assistant coach Jonathan Hernandez said, “and he provides intimidating speed down the wing.”

Matthew Alexandre, Baldwin, D/M, Sr.
Alexandre provided the most important goal of Baldwin’s season in 2024, scoring against Mepham inside the final 10 seconds to send the Bruins to the playoffs. The second-year captain will work as the team’s center defensive midfielder.

Samuel Ammirati, Floral Park, D/M, Sr.
Coach Ahkeel Rodney lauded Ammirati’s “ability to both score and create goals,” as evidenced by his three goals and eight assists. The third-year starter and second-year captain consistently stands out whether he’s playing outside back or moving around the formation, providing the elite passing that helped him record game-winning assists in the Nassau Class A semifinal and state championship match.

Diego Argueta, Brentwood, F, Sr.
Defenders don’t see Argueta’s speed and technical ability until they’re trying to catch up with him. That’s how he scored 15 goals and had six assists. Coach Ron Eden called the two-time Top 100 selection “deadly around the goal with both feet.”

Clockwise, from top left: Samuel Ammirati, Tom Buchan, Elliott Burgueno, Diego Argueta.

Dillon Baugh, Long Island Lutheran, F, Sr.
Baugh led the Crusaders in goals with 13 and assists with 10 as a junior. The fifth-year starter is a leader who brings energy, stamina and smarts to the field.

Mark Berner, St. Anthony’s, D, Sr.
Coach Don Corrao said he expects his team to be “solid defensively.” Berner will play a significant role in making that a reality as a returning starter for a team facing a loaded non-league schedule.

Nikola Bernic, Manhasset, D, Sr.
Bernic, a second-year starter, is a poised, physical presence at center back, and, according to coach Gabe Ramos, “is one of the most complete defenders you will find at the high school level. … What sets Nikola apart is his rare blend of speed, high soccer IQ, technical ability and strength.”

Thomas Buchan, East Islip, D/M, Sr
Greg Johnson, entering his first year as head coach after 23 years in the program, called Buchan the “best defensive-minded player East Islip has had in years.” The center back/center defensive midfielder is a returning captain who, despite his defensive role, still had five assists.

Elliot Burgueno, Ward Melville, F, Sr.
The returning captain and repeat Top 100 honoree scored 15 goals and assisted on three more after posting 10 goals and 10 assists as a sophomore. Coach Rocco Vetro called him “one of the top strikers on Long Island and (in) New York State.”

Henry Cardoza, North Shore, F, Sr.
Cardoza hasspent time as a defender, midfielder and forward. He began 2024 in the midfield but transitioned up top to add more fire to North Shore’s attack, finishing with five goals and 10 assists. Coach Michael Bishop called him “a great soccer player no matter where he plays on the field.”

John Caso, Newfield, G, Sr.
Caso made five saves in Newfield’s upset over Patchogue-Medford in the playoffs, another footnote in a strong junior season. Coach Christopher DiPaola praised the two-time Top 100 pick’s communication across the backline, along with his passing ability that has contributed to the keeper maintaining 10 clean sheets across his high school career.

Trace Cerrone, Babylon, G, Sr.
The third-year varsity starter posted a whopping 12 shutouts to help Babylon capture a fifth consecutive county title.

Nick Cornell, Malverne/East Rockaway, G, Sr.
Cornell made a conference-leading 132 saves. Coach Robert Anderson noted that the third-year starter and repeat Top 100 selection has “got a 75-yard punt and a 60-yard free kick,” and that “his lateral movement and vertical is second to none.”

Luca Coschignano, Kellenberg, F, Sr.
Coschignano scored 11 goals and assisted on nine more. Coach William Masiulis called the third-year starter “the focal point of the team’s attack.”

Jack Costa, Garden City, F/M, Sr.
Costa scored eight goals and tallied an impressive 10 assists for a 23-0 Garden City team that claimed the program’s first state title. Costa, now a second-year starter and a captain, scored two of the Trojans’ four goals in the Nassau Class AA semifinal against New Hyde Park.

Brady Croon, Floral Park, D/M, Sr.
Croon played an instrumental role in the middle of the field for Floral Park, which won its first Long Island and state title. Croon, now a third-year starter and second-year captain, finished with four goals and seven assists.

Jake Dapice, Syosset, M, Sr.
If you put the ball in front of Dapice, good things will happen. Coach Brett Waxer called him “a fierce competitor and [the] team’s midfield general.” Dapice had three goals and four assists.

Jack Darlington, South Side, M, Sr.
Coach Patrick Corvetti noted how Darlington’s “dedication and performance” has not only made him a key part of South Side’s success but also a reason for why he’s well respected by his peers. He had two goals and five assists.

Tristan Dent, Comsewogue, F, Sr.
Dent was one of Suffolk’s best goal scorers, finding the netting 17 times for his Suffolk Class AA championship team, including at least one against every team in his league. As coach Mike Bonura put it, “So it wasn’t like he scored most of them against the weaker teams.”

Jack Dorsey, Chaminade, M, Sr.
Dorsey’s seven goals and seven assists helped the Flyers finish as a state CHSAA finalist and go 9-0 in league play en route to a 17-win season. Coach Brian Anselmo called Dorsey, a captain, “one of the best midfielders in the Catholic League this year.”

Gianluca Falanga, Chaminade, F, Sr.
Coach Brian Anselmo said Falanga is “creative in finding ways to put the ball in the net.” The captain scored seven goals and figures to continue adding more to his career total for a perennially great Chaminade program.

Thomas Fargione, Garden City, D, Sr.
A key defensive piece for Garden City, Fargione was a mainstay for a defensive unit that conceded just one goal across its final seven playoff games. He was named Man of the Match in the county final, a shutout win over a Glen Cove side that had scored at least one goal in all but three games prior.

Dylan Fisher, Garden City, D/M, Sr.
Fisher scored the game-winning goals for Garden City in a Class AA regional final and state semifinal, along with assisting on one of the Trojans’ two goals against Clarence in the state championship game victory. He had six goals and five assists.

Stiven Gereda, Bay Shore, G, Sr.
Gereda, now beginning his third year as a starter, led his league in saves and even scored a goal. “He is a phenomenal, tenacious athlete who can change games,” assistant coach Jonathan Hernandez said. “He kept us in games by making some unbelievable acrobatic saves and helped us greatly in a rebuilding year.”

Will Gleason, Great Neck South, M, Sr.
The fourth-year starter and three-time captain had three goals and four assists. He plays a crucial role in the middle of the field for a possession-heavy team. Great Neck South coach Josh Dugan called Gleason “one of the best players to pass through Great Neck.”

Brendan Glenn, Kings Park, M, Sr.
Coach Tom Nally praised his center defensive midfielder as someone who “never loses his poise.” The fourth-year starter and two-time Olympic Development Program national team player recorded two goals and three assists.

Owen Gordon, Friends Academy, F, Jr.
Coach Edgar Posada spoke highly of Gordon’s leadership, humility and work ethic, which pair well with his natural talent on the field. He had seven goals and five assists, with Posada noting how “he anchored our attack with composure and maturity well beyond his years.”

Sean Griffin, Comsewogue, D/M, Sr.
Griffin, a center back and center midfielder, was a key on defense when Comsewogue won the Suffolk Class AA title. Coach Mike Bonura praised his versatility and listed these other attributes for him: “Great ball skills. Great teammate. Unbelievable defender. Sees the field well.”

Bryan Guerra, Glen Cove, D/M, Jr.
The flexibility Guerra offers as a central midfielder or left outside back helped Glen Cove achieve a 13-win season and finish as a county finalist. Guerra had three goals and nine assists, with coach Brian Smith commending his “elite timing and touch” as well as his defensive ability.

David Guillen Ochoa, Central Islip, F, Sr.
Guillen Ochoa had an impactful first season as a starter, delivering 14 goals and three assists. According to coach Joseph Passaro, “He has great speed, shot power and accuracy, but it is his creativeness and his willingness to attempt advanced moves that keep the opposing defense guessing.”

Jack Gunn, Calhoun, D, Sr.
A starter since his sophomore season, Gunn has become a mainstay in the middle of the backline. Coach Christopher Vogel praised the center back’s “strength, positioning and composure under pressure,” three traits required of an elite defender.