Sensational soccer stars make state, section and league honors

Section 1 soccer honorees are from left to right, Chris Chalco, Daniel Farez Sierra, Umaru Conteh, and Juan Salazar

By Jeffrey Merchan

November 22, 2024

Several players on the Peekskill Varsity Boys Soccer team received recognitions on Tuesday from the Section 1 Boys Soccer Coaches Association for their performances this season.

Peekskill’s top goal scorer this season, Umaru Conteh, received All-League, All-Section, League Most Valuable Player (MVP), and All State recognitions, according to head coach Jonathan Iasillo. Conteh had a phenomenal season this year, scoring a total of 25 goals in 19 games. Conteh is only the second player to receive All-State in Iasillo’s ten years heading up the Peekskill varsity soccer program. The last player to receive this distinction was Oswald Annang in 2016.

Senior captain Daniel Farez Sierra earned All-League and All-Section honorable mention. Farez Sierra was a versatile player this year for the Peekskill boys, playing in attack and defense when required. Farez Sierra finished the 2024 season with three goals and a team-high 10 assists.

Senior Juan Salazar earned All-League and All-Section recognitions. The defender was instrumental in helping the Red Devils secure six shutouts this campaign.

Seniors Chris Chalco and Ariel Tenezaca received All-league recognitions. This season, Chalco scored a total of seven goals and assisted six. Tenezaca was impressive in defense this campaign. The defender also showed glimpses of attacking flair, assisting three goals and scoring one.

Last month, for the Peekskill Varsity Girls Soccer team, sophomore midfielder Valeria Otavalo was recognized for her performances with an All-League recognition. Otavalo has been a starter for the Peekskill girls since she was a seventh grader in 2021. Otavalo was vital for Peekskill’s midfield this campaign, being tasked with stopping attacks and creating plays.

“This was Valeria’s fourth year as a member of the varsity team. She performed at a high level during each game and was a constant threat to our opponents. Her All-League selection was well deserved and we can’t wait to see what she will do in her junior and senior years,” said Varsity Coach Anthony DiCuio. Otavalo scored four goals this season for the Red Devils.

All photos courtesy of Peekskill City School District.

About the Contributor

Jeffrey Merchan

Peekskill native Jeffrey Merchan is a 2022 graduate of Peekskill High School. He is the Collegiate Journalist at Peekskill Herald, funded by a grant from the DJ McManus Foundation. He is currently enrolled at Westchester Community College where he is studying journalism. As the inaugural recipient of the McManus grant, he will be covering city government, schools and feature stories with a focus on Peekskill’s growing Hispanic community.