For the first time in 20 years, an Aquinas soccer player has been named All-American. Ali Shabani ‘24 received the prestigious First Team All-American title from the United Soccer Coaches for his outstanding performance during the 2023 soccer season. Selected as one of only 80 high school soccer players from across the US, Ali’s achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. He joins the ranks of Keith Manscuk ‘03 and Mike Compisi ‘88 as the third player from the Aquinas boys’ soccer program to earn this esteemed honor. Having served as a five-year starter for the Li’l Irish, Ali had an impressive record of 29 goals and 61 assists throughout his soccer career. However, it is not only his athletic prowess but also his exemplary character that sets Ali apart. Described by Coach Gleason as a “humble kid who works hard and recognizes the importance of leadership both on and off the field,” Ali embodies the values of sportsmanship and dedication. Ali’s journey to success is particularly inspiring. His parents are originally from Congo, but due to country unrest, Ali was born in a refugee camp in Zimbabwe before moving to Rochester at the age of eight. As a young child, Ali’s passion for soccer remained unwavering as he recalls playing soccer ever since he could start walking. In fact, his uncle would send him money from America to buy toys, and Ali’s choice was always a soccer ball. Playing with friends every day, soccer became more than just a game for Ali—it was a source of joy and connection. One of the more difficult things about moving was knowing he wouldn’t get to spend time with his friends doing what they all loved. Fast-forward to his time at Aquinas, Ali acknowledges the pivotal role soccer played in his life, transforming from a childhood pastime into a platform for personal and athletic growth. He attributes much of their success to Coach Gleason, as well as to the strong bond and chemistry among his teammates, emphasizing their collective effort and determination. Earning All-American came as a surprise to Ali as he describes it as, “an added bonus on top of our biggest accomplishment, winning States.” Beyond the field, Ali cherishes the memories of camaraderie shared with his teammates. As Ali prepares to embark on a new chapter at SUNY Geneseo, he expresses gratitude to his friends, teachers, and Coach Gleason for their support and guidance. As we bid farewell to Ali and the 2023-2024 boys soccer team, we wish them all the best in their future endeavors, confident that they will continue to excel both on and off the field. Ali Shabani ’24 Receives All-American Recognition “We take pride in our Section V Championship, but our sights are set on more. Next year, we aim for a State Title. Falling just short of our 2024 goal, our focus for 2025 is on that one extra game.” MARK LORIA, HEAD COACH OF THE GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM Mark Loria has been Head Coach of the Aquinas Girls Varsity Basketball Team for the past eight seasons. Under Mark’s leadership, the team won Sectionals in 2018 and this past school year, the team took home a Section V Championship. As the youngest team in Section V, without any senior athletes, it was quite the achievement but also required dedicated e ort. “I am incredibly proud of what the girls accomplished this season,” Mark re ects. “But to really appreciate this accomplishment, you need to understand our journey. As a team, we had to go through many valleys to get to the base of the mountain. And I mean a lot!” e girls started their season with an impressive 5–0 record before facing some adversity. According to Mark, the season could have gone in one of two ways. To their credit, the team fought through some pretty tough challenges. “I think it was around game 10 where we really started to come together. We went on to win our next 14 straight games until we reached the State Semi-Finals. I knew we had the talent to win, but to become a championship team you need more than talent alone. It takes trust, hard work, humility, and the ability to persevere despite challenges. What do you think were the key factors that contributed to your team’s success this season? “ e biggest factor was the girls owning their roles as players. Molly O’Toole ’25 and Loren Green ’27 became our two biggest o ensive threats, both earning rst-team All Greater Rochester honors. ey are undoubtedly the two best shooters in Section V, and Loren can do it all: shooting, driving, and nishing. AJ Orr ’26 and Jade Harvey ’27 also stepped up their o ensive game becoming more assertive mid-way through the season. Defensively, we became more dynamic, allowing us to adjust our defense to counter opponents. AJ is a major threat for teams defensively, as is Jade, who is a tremendous rebounder. Samiyah Wright ’25 developed into a phenomenal player on both ends of the court, while Julianna Nkugwa ’26 showed continuous improvement as a shooter and defender. roughout our season, I witnessed improvements in all our players as we grew into a cohesive team.” What role did teamwork and camaraderie play in the team’s success this season? “Teamwork was huge! ey learned to trust each other, which allowed them to work seamlessly together on the court. ese girls are young, but they fear no one. It’s one of the qualities I admire most about them.” Mark also credits much of the girls’ success to the immense support from the Aquinas parents, coaches, and community. We are incredibly proud of our girls’ basketball team. It takes great respect for your teammates, belief in yourself, passion for the game, and a commitment to show up ready to work – at practice, in school, and at home – that make exceptional players… all traits our girls embody. A special thank you to Mark and all the coaches for their leadership and unwavering support, both on and o the court. We can’t wait to see what the 2025 season will bring, our bet is that we’ll make it to, “one more game!” SECTION V CHAMPS AND THE TEAM’S QUEST FOR ONE MORE GAME 12 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SUMMER 2024 athletics in action
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