In case you missed it, this past fall 2023, the Aquinas Boys Varsity Soccer Team won the Class A State Championship! But their success doesn’t end there. e team was ranked #18 in the Nation by the United Soccer Coaches for their incredible season. e team was guided by Head Coach Joshua “Josh” Gleason ’94, who rst began coaching the boys’ soccer team in 2013. Coach Gleason attributes much of the boys’ remarkable success to their relentless work ethic, unwavering determination, and refusal to back down. While winning the state championship is a remarkable achievement, nishing the season undefeated at 20-0 is truly extraordinary. As Coach Gleason puts it, “ e 2023 Aquinas Boys Soccer Team will be remembered as one of the greatest teams in New York State history.” Get the inside scoop from Coach Gleason in this enlightening Q&A segment: How does it feel to achieve such a significant milestone as Head Coach? is really means a lot to me, not only as a coach at Aquinas but also as an alum and a parent. Having my son, LJ ’25, as our goalie adds an extra layer of meaning to this achievement. Can you share some key moments or highlights from the season that you believe contributed to the team’s success? is season’s success can be attributed to three key factors: 1) the exceptional character of our student-athletes both on and o the eld, 2) the phenomenal leadership provided by our seniors and, 3) we were lucky enough to have zero injuries. e boys were relentless in their pursuit for the championship, showing remarkable commitment to each other and to the team over the course of the three-month season. e State Championship is the reward for their hard work and dedication. How did you prepare the team both physically and mentally for the challenges of the season? No matter the sport, players need to be t. e boys spend a signi cant time in the weight room and the expectation is to come in day one ready to work. We have a philosophy that: physical tness breeds mental toughness. How did the parents and AQ community contribute to supporting the team on its journey to the state championship? e parents were instrumental in our support, not only for their own kids, but for the entire soccer program. ere was extensive involvement and planning, including pasta dinners, senior night celebrations, 7:00 a.m. practices with generous contributions of donuts and co ee, the Beach Run Breakfast, banquets, and the Ring Ceremony. I am truly grateful for the positive support. What characteristics or values did you see in your student athletes that you believe contributed to their success? We have a motto that we created more than 10 years ago, “Believe in a good thing.” We understand that challenges can arise both on and o the eld, and trying to nd balance with academics and athletics can be overwhelming at times. However, when the going gets tough, we reinforce to the boys to “Believe in a good thing,” and good things will happen. It’s an honor to wear the Aquinas jersey, and it is our responsibility to represent ourselves well, both on and o the eld and in the community. Can you describe the team’s camaraderie and how it influenced their performance? is senior class shared a strong bond. eir “all in” attitude had a profound impact on the team, inspiring all the boys to upli and support one another. is sense of brotherhood has been building over the years. Were there any particular challenges the team faced during the season, and how did they overcome them? In past seasons, we faced challenges that prepared all of us as players and coaches for the 2023 season. While we were aware of our talent and potential for success, our primary focus remained on achieving our goals. e greatest challenge we encountered was executing our talent and abilities on the eld. Finishing the regular season undefeated gave us signi cant momentum heading into the postseason. How do you think winning the state championship will impact the team and the school moving forward? From 2000 to 2006, the Aquinas soccer program, encompassing both the boys’ and girls’ teams, set the gold standard for soccer in our community. However, there came a time when we lost our way. It had been since 2006 that the boys program won a sectional or state championship, despite coming close. Along the way, we have built an identity and distinct style of play here at Aquinas that resonates strongly within the soccer community. Our program is unique in that we are preparing our student athletes to play at the collegiate level. In fact, we have ve players committed to playing in college: Charlie Sorensen ‘24 at Division 1 Bucknell University, Ali Shabani ‘24 and Alfonso Vito ‘24 at SUNY Geneseo, Nicola Costa ‘24 at Keuka College, and Carter Wegman ‘24 at Nazareth University, where he’ll have the opportunity to play both soccer and lacrosse. For those serious about balancing academics and athletics, and aspiring to play at the collegiate level, there’s no better place than Aquinas. Is there a message you would like to share with the Aquinas community, parents, and supporters in light of this achievement? When I rst became Head Coach at Aquinas, my goal was to restore the program to its former glory. e groundwork laid by previous coaches Gary and Joe LaPietra was instrumental in establishing the foundation of Aquinas Boys Soccer. ere are many former players that undoubtedly deserved a sectional or state championship, but for whatever reason, we fell short of our goals. e 2023 team, achieving a perfect 20-0 record as State Champions, ranked #1 in the state and #18th in the nation, is a testament to all former Aquinas soccer alums. We share this accomplishment together, and have something to be proud of when discussing Aquinas Soccer. Let’s all “Believe in a good thing.” AQUINAS BOYS SOCCER: FROM STATE TRIUMPH TO NATIONAL RECOGNITION PHOTO BY JOSH GLEASON athletics in action PHOTO BY AIDAN KRAUS 11
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