Announcement

2 of Lakeland's players Nominated for Journal News Player of the Decade in Section 1

Posted by Tim Hourahan on Aug 13 2019 at 06:36AM PDT
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Vote now: Who is the lohud boys soccer player of the decade?

There have been a number of standout players on the pitch in the Lower Hudson Valley over the last decade. We selected some of the top boys soccer headliners who graduated between 2010 and 2019. You get to vote for one finalist you think was better than all the rest.

Read about the decade’s biggest stars and cast your vote in our poll below. We’ll reveal our all-decade teams in December — including our own choice for player of the decade.

Steven Reiche: Lakeland, Class of 2012
The Journal News Westchester boys soccer player of the year Steven Reiche, a senior at Lakeland High School, is photographed at Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak on Nov. 29, 2011. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Not much got by this guy, who helped the Hornets capture sectional and regional titles in 2011, recording 14 shutouts in 22 games. Reiche earned all-state, all-region and All-American honors. He was the Journal News/lohud Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam, as well. He earned a spot at Plattsburgh after two seasons of JUCO soccer at Bryant & Stratton

John Denis: Lakeland, Class of 2016

He was pouring in goals for the Hornets in 2014, finding the back of the net 31 times in a mere 15 games. That earned Denis all-state and all-region honors. He was also the 2014 Journal News/lohud Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam. Denis spent his final high school season with the USMNT u17 program and is currently on the roster at Columbia University.
Lakeland striker John Denis scored 31 goals for the Hornets as a junior and was named Journal News Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam.
Lakeland striker John Denis scored 31 goals for the Hornets as a junior and was named Journal News Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam.Buy Photo
Lakeland striker John Denis scored 31 goals for the Hornets as a junior and was named Journal News Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam. (Photo: Journal News file photo)

Jack Beer: Byram Hills, Class of 2017

After spending two seasons playing in the academy system, he came back to the Bobcats, finishing with 31 goals and 20 assists. Beer missed three games in 2016 following a preseason injury, but was the catalyst during an 11-1-1 tear. He was named all-state, all-region and All-American. Beer was also Journal News/lohud player of the year in 2016 and is playing at Georgetown.
Byram Hills' Jack Beer (10) runs the ball downfield
Byram Hills’ Jack Beer (10) runs the ball downfieldBuy Photo
Byram Hills’ Jack Beer (10) runs the ball downfield during the game at Byram Hills High School in Armonk on Oct. 29, 2015. (Photo: Ricky Flores/The Journal News)

Alex Bourgeios: Hastings, Class of 2018

He was an imposing defensive force for the Yellow Jackets and humbly played the role of headliner in back-to-back Section 1 and NYSPHSAA regional championships. He was a lock-down artist during the 2016 state championship run. Bourgeios is a two-time all-state and all-region selection. He was also named All-American in 2017 and currently plays at the University at Albany.

Hastings' Alex Bourgeois (6) and Jackson Silverstein
Hastings’ Alex Bourgeois (6) and Jackson Silverstein (11) celebrate after their 3-1 win over West Hills to claim the NYSPHSAA Class B boys state soccer championship title at Middletown High School on Sunday, November 13, 2016. (Photo: John Meore/The Journal News)

Kaio DaSilva: Valhalla, Class of 2016

He was a standout on defense until the Vikings graduated all but two starters and needed scoring punch. DaSilva moved up. He wound up with 28 goals and 15 assists senior year. DaSilva was all-state three years running and was the Journal News/lohud Player of the Year for Westchester/Putnam in 2015. He signed with Old Dominion and later transferred to the University at Albany.
Valhalla's Kaio DaSilva, right, is pressured by Rye
Valhalla’s Kaio DaSilva, right, is pressured by RyeBuy Photo
Valhalla’s Kaio DaSilva, right, is pressured by Rye Neck’s Fraser Shaw during their game at Rye Neck on Sept. 17. (Photo: Peter Carr/The Journal News)

Kevin Doorley: Pearl River, Class of 2017

He was a winner, helping the Pirates go 65-11-5 in a four-year span. Doorley was a cornerstone for the 2015 team that won a sectional title and got to the state final. He led Section 1 with 24 goals in 2016 and was picked all-state and all region. Doorley was also the 2016 Journal News/lohud Player of the Year in Rockland and currently plays at SUNY New Paltz.
Pearl River's Kevin Doorley, left, is pressured by
Pearl River’s Kevin Doorley, left, is pressured byBuy Photo
Pearl River’s Kevin Doorley, left, is pressured by Lakeland’s Jordan Fein during the second annual Westchester vs. Rockland Challenge at Tappan Zee Oct. 11, 2014. Pearl River won 3-1. (Photo: Peter Carr/The Journal News)

Lucas Fecci: Somers, Class of 2019

He was right in the middle of the action, helping the Tuskers get into a pair of NYSPHSAA title games. Somers won the championship in 2016. Fecci scored in five straight playoff games last season, finishing his senior campaign with 23 goals and 12 assists. He was named all-state, all-region and All-American. Fecci was also the Journal News/lohud Player of the Year in Westchester/Putnam.
Somers' Lucas Fecci (10) chases a baall to the corner during their 2-1 loss to Amityville in the Class A boys state soccer final at Middletown High School in Middletown on Sunday, November 11, 2018.
Somers’ Lucas Fecci (10) chases a baall to the corner during their 2-1 loss to Amityville in the Class A boys state soccer final at Middletown High School in Middletown on Sunday, November 11, 2018. Buy Photo
Somers’ Lucas Fecci (10) chases a baall to the corner during their 2-1 loss to Amityville in the Class A boys state soccer final at Middletown High School in Middletown on Sunday, November 11, 2018. (Photo: John Meore/The Journal News)

Steven Hernandez: Port Chester, Class of 2016

He was an impact player over four-plus seasons and was just a freshman when he poured in seven postseason goals and led the Rams to a state title berth. Port Chester was 57-14-5 with Hernandez in the lineup. He was all-state and all-region in back-to-back seasons, finishing with nearly 50 goals. Hernandez went on to American International College.
hernandez4
hernandez4Buy Photo
Port Chester’s Steven Hernandez moves the ball in front of Byram Hills’ Michael Bordash during a game in Armonk on Sept. 4, 2015. (Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)