After winning 17 of their first 19 matches and being ranked as high as fourth in the nation according to the United Soccer Coaches, Chaminade's varsity soccer team ended its season as the New York State runner-up, falling to Fordham Prep 1-0 on Sunday night in the championship showdown at St. John's University.

A banged-up Rams squad came into this matchup as underdogs, while the Flyers were hoping to net their first CHSAA title since 2021.

As the game got underway at Belson Field, Chaminade looked electric. With about six minutes gone, they had an early chance to take the lead when Jack Dorsey dribbled past the Fordham keeper, Jack McInnis, but was unable to score. Dorsey put his hands on his head in disbelief at the chance just missed, the first of several close calls for the Flyers. 

With 26 minutes left in the first half, Danny Bonilla also found himself an opportunity to open the scoring, but was denied thanks to an amazing save by McInnis. 

The Flyers got their next great chance off a free kick with around 15 minutes left on the first-half clock. An inswinger off the foot of Antonio Ruffo looked like a sure goal, but again McInnis got a hand on it at the last second to keep a clean sheet.

The three chances were all the result of Chaminade largely controlling the time of possession, but the teams still entered intermission tied, 0-0. 

To start the second half, the Flyers and Rams each found themselves in control of the play for significant blocks of time. When eight minutes had passed, the Flyers' Blake Donahue missed a good chance at the edge of the box. Coach Anselmo had noted before the game that Donahue was "a big part of the team," and the gifted forward showed why, as he was painstakingly close to yet again proving himself in the moment.

With 23 minutes left in regulation, the Rams got their best opportunity thus far when a couple of ricochets delivered the ball next to goal, but Chaminade goalie Keegan Portsmore made a comfortable catch to keep the scoreline empty. 

Only one minute later, the Flyers' Jack Veletanga got a shot off that was saved by McInnis but landed at the feet of Chaminade's Dorsey, who struck the side of the post with a volley, ending the threat.

With 13 left on the clock, a Fordham cross came into the box, but it too was saved by the ever-reliable Portsmore, who remained sharp despite limited action in front of his net. Then, Donahue found another chance for Chaminade with just under five minutes to play in the second half, but the ball was saved easily by McInnis.

As the clock ticked under two minutes, overtime seemed likely, but suddenly, the Rams found themselves with a golden opportunity. A chance off a free kick developed as the ball bounced off a Fordham Prep head and bounced to a Rams attacker, Jude Grbesa, who beat Portsmore to make the score 1-0 and send the Fordham faithful into wild celebration.

Chaminade hurriedly tried to generate a scoring opportunity in the final seconds, but the Rams stood tall, securing the title for the first time since 2011.

Despite the tough loss, Coach Anselmo was pleased with the 2024 campaign.

"There are many positives," he reflected. "We won the league, we got to the championship, we beat two teams ranked in the top ten, and we were ranked nationally."