Looking Back on a 'Standout' Mahopac Boys Soccer Season

MAHOPAC, N.Y.—The Mahopac varsity boys soccer team put together a standout season this fall, playing to its first winning record in the last several years and the first winning season under fifth-year Head Coach Chris Mulholland.

The Wolf Pac drew the 9 seed in the recent Class AA playoff tournament before losing to Carmel in the first round and closing the fall at 8-5-3.

“It was really a great year for our team,“ Mulholland said. “That was our first winning record since I’ve been here, and it took a lot of hard work from the kids for the last three or four years. It really shows how much they put into it. We play in a difficult league, so it’s not easy, and they did a great job embracing that challenge.“

Senior captain and forward Kody Booth, a third-year varsity player, earned All-Section and All-League honors. Junior forward (and the team’s leading scorer) Oliver Filip earned All-Section Honorable Mention and All-League honors. Senior captain and midfielder Victor Beltrami and junior captain and midfielder Aidan Paris-Devane were both named All-League.

“Kody and Victor have both been with us three years and have been important pieces for us,“ Mulholland said. “They both had great high school careers. Oliver and Aidan have also been great for us this year. Oliver led the team in goals and assists, and they both work hard and push everyone. It’s great to have them both back next year.“

Mulholland also pointed to a strong defense contributing to the team’s success.

“Hayden Biolchini, Oskar Zalesiak, Evan Blake, Sebastian Bilinski, and Yusef Aljamal all really had a great year for us,“ Mulholland said. “They’ve been together for a while, and seeing them develop into a strong defensive unit was really great to see. They all had a great season. I also have to thank my assistant coach Albert Campos, who has been phenomenal all season.“

Mahopac loses six starters, and 12 seniors in all, to graduation. 

“I think we have a lot to be excited about,“ the coach said of next fall. “We graduate 12 seniors, but we feel pretty good about the talent returning, and coming up. I feel like we’re set up to play some good defense. I’m looking forward to it.”