Sports
Soccer All-Stars Take the Stage One More Time
Joe D'Annunzio and Michael DelSordi both played in the SCANJ Senior Showcase this weekend.
After long and successful high school careers, two of Scotch Plains-Fanwood's best soccer players capped off an outstanding run with an appearance in the 2009 SCANJ Senior Showcase, played at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel Sunday and presented by the Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey. Joe D'Annunzio and Michael DelSordi played for the North Jersey team that won the game over the Central All-Stars with a final score of 4-1.
"It's always a big accomplishment in a players' career," D'Annunzio said. "To be nominated for an all-star game like that and to play with such great players, and getting the win is also a big plus."
"It's a great honor because I know only a few people get selected out of North II, so it's really great to be able to play against all these great players. It's really awesome. It's so much easier playing with all these great kids," added Del Sordi.
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
D'Annunzio, who recently committed to play baseball at Rutgers University, was an outstanding defender during his time with the Raiders. SP-F finished the season at 18-2-2 and advanced to the North Jersey, Group 3 sectional finals, where they lost 1-0 to Millburn. Still, he enjoyed every minute he played wearing the blue and white.
"I couldn't thank Coach (Tom) Breznitsky, Joe Mortarulo, Brad Lowens, the rest of our coaching staff any more," D'Annunzio said. "The lessons that they taught me, along with all the players that I played with throughout my career, I couldn't ask for anything more."
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
DelSordi excelled at midfield and has been a force to be reckoned with the past few seasons with his ball distribution skills and goal-scoring ability.
Both players were selected first-team to the coaches All-County team while also receiving coaches All-State recognition. They will be recognized at the 41st Annual SCANJ all-state banquet on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Pines Manor in Edison.
Editor's Note: This story was reported on and written by Cranford High School boy's soccer coach Mike Curci, who attended the game.
