Nationally ranked St. Anthonys boys soccer team eyeing history as playoffs loom

They’re having a ball at St.Anthony’s High School. Don Corrao’s mighty Friars boys soccer team is boasting one of its best-ever years; the 15-0-1 bunch is ranked ninth in the nation as the No.1 seed gets ready for playoffs Tuesday. “We look forward to coming to work every day because of their work ethic,” the head coach told The Post.

“They want to come to work every day.” St.Anthony’s started its season with a 0-0 draw against New Jersey powerhouse Bergen Catholic (13-0-2) and has won out ever since, heading into a final regular-season match vs.

archrival Chaminade on Thursday evening. Corrao had a hunch this group would be special when players inquired about the program’s storied legacy. “We actually went into his office one time; we asked him before the season started, ‘ What is the best team in [school] history?’ ” senior co-captain and striker Jayden Crespi said.“Because we want to be better than them.”The answer was two teams: the 2008 state champion Friars, nationally ranked second and sixth in separate polls with a 20-0-1 finish, and the 2013 squad, sixth best in the nation and state champions with the same record.“I said, ‘In order to get to those heights, it would take a lot of hard work,” Corrao said.

“Fortunately, they listened.”The boys bought in easily, having been hitting the pitch at Cy Donnelly Field with everything they’ve got, especially at a recent 6:30 a.m.session because the school had an open house later that day.“Lights off, pitch black, freezing cold.

But that’s what it is,” co-captain and senior center defensive midfielder James Kelly said.“We had the biggest smiles on our faces.”It deeply impressed Corrao and had him stoked for a strong finish.“Without a doubt, our best training session of the year,” the coach said.

“They were flying — the energy, the work rate was just a joy to behold.We left here on Cloud 9.”Finding jovial moments in the grit and overwhelming effort...