Bednarsky named State Soccer Coach of the Year
NJ BOYS SOCCER 2009: Gill St. Bernard's Bednarsky is State Coach of the Year
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Tony Bednarsky guided Gill St. Bernard's to the NJSIAA Non-Public B title despite having to deal with the effects of abdominal cancer. Tony Bednarsky of Gill St. Bernard's had his work cut out for him this year.
In more ways than one.
On the soccer field, Bednarky hoped that his team would be able to overcome the loss of seven graduated seniors, including six starters.
On a personal level, the Bednarsky, 52, was dealing with the effects of abdominal cancer, with which he was diagnosed on March 20.
"I had the biopsy on St. Patrick's Day and got the results three days later," he said. "I had three procedures from May through June and everything came back clean.
"I've stayed cancer-free since, and starting in January have to go get checked out only every six months."
Bednarsky did not dwell on his illness, but did tell his team the news, including his son, Andrew, a senior midfielder.
"I think once the season started, that took my mind off it a bit as well as the team's," Andrew said. "We put it in the back of our minds and just tried to concentrate on soccer."
After a 5-4 start, Tony Bednarsky guided Gill St. Bernard's (17-7) to a 12-3 mark in its final 15 games. A 2-0 loss to Montclair Kimberley Academy in the final of the Prep B tournament on Nov. 8 was avenged four days later when Gill St. Bernard's earned a 1-0 victory in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Non-Public B final.
Gill St. Bernard's then won its first NJSIAA state title when it defeated St. Rose, 3-0, at The College of New Jersey in Ewing on Nov. 17 for the overall Non-Public B crown.
"With everything else that went on, having the soccer to fall back on this year really kept me focused," Tony said. "I've enjoyed this season as much as any in my 21 years. And to have it all culminate with the team winning the state title and having my son on the field is all a coach -- and a father -- could ask for."
Gill St. Bernard's won the title a year after losing in the final to Sacred Heart of Vineland.
"We overcame a lot this year, including injuries and adversity," Coach Bednarsky said. "But this team, including a very good freshman class, did an outstanding job and we jelled and peaked at the right time."
Those freshmen included goalie Mike Renna, who allowed just 13 goals and set a single-season school record with 14 shutouts, midfielder Tim DiBisceglie and forwards Bijan Eizadkhah and Jae Wong.
Andrew Bednarsky (eight goals, 12 assists) and senior Karl Schroeder (eight, 10) teamed to form a potent 1-2 attack in the midfield. Junior strikers Tim O'Leary (13, five) and Connor Milanaik (eight, three), senior defenders Tyler Rodrigues and Freddie Mundt, junior defenders Templeton Timothy, Ryan Milanaik and Joaquin Dominguez and seniors Tom Plate and Jake Friedman rounded out Bednarsky's championship squad.
The coach, who has a career mark of 295-116-19 in 21 years at the Gladstone school, was quick to point out the success of his senior class. The seniors finished 67-18-4 over the last four years.
"Our assistants, Bill Diamond and Rob Lancsak, were also instrumental in the success we had this year," Bednarsky said.
Tony Bednarsky and his wife, Donna, have three other children. Peter is a sophomore at Stevens Tech, Kathryn is an eighth-grader at Gill St. Bernard's and Steven is a fifth-grader at Gill St. Bernard's. Andrew will attend St. Lawrence next year.
In more ways than one.
On the soccer field, Bednarky hoped that his team would be able to overcome the loss of seven graduated seniors, including six starters.
On a personal level, the Bednarsky, 52, was dealing with the effects of abdominal cancer, with which he was diagnosed on March 20.
"I had the biopsy on St. Patrick's Day and got the results three days later," he said. "I had three procedures from May through June and everything came back clean.
"I've stayed cancer-free since, and starting in January have to go get checked out only every six months."
Bednarsky did not dwell on his illness, but did tell his team the news, including his son, Andrew, a senior midfielder.
"I think once the season started, that took my mind off it a bit as well as the team's," Andrew said. "We put it in the back of our minds and just tried to concentrate on soccer."
After a 5-4 start, Tony Bednarsky guided Gill St. Bernard's (17-7) to a 12-3 mark in its final 15 games. A 2-0 loss to Montclair Kimberley Academy in the final of the Prep B tournament on Nov. 8 was avenged four days later when Gill St. Bernard's earned a 1-0 victory in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Non-Public B final.
Gill St. Bernard's then won its first NJSIAA state title when it defeated St. Rose, 3-0, at The College of New Jersey in Ewing on Nov. 17 for the overall Non-Public B crown.
"With everything else that went on, having the soccer to fall back on this year really kept me focused," Tony said. "I've enjoyed this season as much as any in my 21 years. And to have it all culminate with the team winning the state title and having my son on the field is all a coach -- and a father -- could ask for."
Gill St. Bernard's won the title a year after losing in the final to Sacred Heart of Vineland.
"We overcame a lot this year, including injuries and adversity," Coach Bednarsky said. "But this team, including a very good freshman class, did an outstanding job and we jelled and peaked at the right time."
Those freshmen included goalie Mike Renna, who allowed just 13 goals and set a single-season school record with 14 shutouts, midfielder Tim DiBisceglie and forwards Bijan Eizadkhah and Jae Wong.
Andrew Bednarsky (eight goals, 12 assists) and senior Karl Schroeder (eight, 10) teamed to form a potent 1-2 attack in the midfield. Junior strikers Tim O'Leary (13, five) and Connor Milanaik (eight, three), senior defenders Tyler Rodrigues and Freddie Mundt, junior defenders Templeton Timothy, Ryan Milanaik and Joaquin Dominguez and seniors Tom Plate and Jake Friedman rounded out Bednarsky's championship squad.
The coach, who has a career mark of 295-116-19 in 21 years at the Gladstone school, was quick to point out the success of his senior class. The seniors finished 67-18-4 over the last four years.
"Our assistants, Bill Diamond and Rob Lancsak, were also instrumental in the success we had this year," Bednarsky said.
Tony Bednarsky and his wife, Donna, have three other children. Peter is a sophomore at Stevens Tech, Kathryn is an eighth-grader at Gill St. Bernard's and Steven is a fifth-grader at Gill St. Bernard's. Andrew will attend St. Lawrence next year.
