NYC boys soccer rankings

It took all season, until the final day of the year -- our last top 10 of the year in fact -- but we have a new No. 1.

Beacon more than earned the spot, beating previous No. 1, Martin Luther King Jr. and No. 2. Francis Lewis, en route to its second PSAL Class A boys soccer city title. Meanwhile, in the CHSAA, teams from Westchester (Iona Prep, Class A intersectional title) and Nassau County (Chaminade, state title) were the big winners. Fordham Prep, St. Francis Prep and Archbishop Molloy all put up a fight before bowing out.

1. Beacon (15-2-1) (Last week: 4)

Damion Reid

Beacon finishes atop The Post's NYC boys soccer rankings.

Joseph Nikic will never forget this week, seven days when he kicked his way into Beacon boys soccer lore. The senior produced a hat trick to oust John Adams, eliminated Martin Luther King Jr. with a double-overtime goal and clinched the crown against Francis Lewis with the decisive penalty kick. Nikic didn’t enjoy his finest regular season, but he was at his best in the postseason, willing the Blue Demons to playoff glory.

Next: Season complete

2. Francis Lewis (16-1-1) (2)

You had to feel for the Patriots Sunday night. Finally, they don’t see their arch nemesis MLK in the final, yet against the Fresh Meadows school ends up on the short end, losing in the title game for the third time in four years. The future – as always – remains bright for Lewis, as standout midfielder Danny Bedoya is back, along with a handful of skilled underclassmen.

Next: Season complete

3. Martin Luther King Jr. (15-2-0) (1)

It was ironic that the Knights would be undone by a senior striker when it was their own explosive forward – Moriken (Chelsea) Sangary – that ruined so many foes this year. Ultimately, MLK’s weakness – its backline – was its undoing, though it had so many chances to go ahead of Beacon in Thursday’s semifinal. King will undoubtedly be back in the final after its unfathomable 14-year run came to a close this fall.

Next: Season complete

4. St. Francis Prep (16-3-0) (4)

Ultimately, St. Francis Prep failed to win a major championship, losing to Iona Prep in the CHSAA Class A intersectional semifinals and Chaminade in the state title game, but the Terriers gave the Flyers, ranked No. 7 in the country, all they could handle before losing in overtime. Chris Joseph emerged as one of the most technically-sound players in the CHSAA and Christian Molano was a rock in the defense. Both are back.

Next: Season complete

5. Fordham Prep (14-2-3) (3)

Last year, a group of sophomores guided the Rams to the CHSAA Class A intersectional semifinals and this year they won the Archdiocesan title and reached the Class A final. Those players, including Mark Kramarchuk, Dylan Cope, Mark Higgins and Greg McNamara are seniors next year. Can they take one step further next November?

Next: Season complete

6. Archbishop Molloy (12-3-2) (5)

The Stanners looked far from a team that would vie for a third straight CHSAA Class A intersectional title in September, but they were again among the best teams in the league in November. That’s a credit to coach Andy Kostel and Molloy’s unwavering work ethic. They might not have as many high-profile returning players as St. Francis Prep and Fordham Prep, but the Stanners will again be in the mix next year. That’s a promise.

Next: Season complete

7. John Adams (13-2-2) (10)

The Spartans fell short of their semifinals goal, falling 3-2 to eventually city champion Beacon, but they should take heart in how far they have come in recent years. Adams made the quarterfinals its first year in ‘A,’ back in 2008, and fell to Beacon, 5-0. The Ozone Park, Queens school nearly ousted the Blue Demons this time around, a nod to the strides it has taken under coach Alex Navarrete.

Next: Season complete

8. Tottenville (16-1-0) (6)

It was shocking to see the Pirates go down so meekly to Francis Lewis on Thursday, falling 3-0 in a match that could’ve been far worse. That, of course, doesn’t take away from what this senior-dominated group accomplished the last two years in Huguenot – two Staten Island A titles, one undefeated league season and two ‘A’ semifinal berths. Coach Ron Nathanson should be proud.

Next: Season complete

9. Bayside (10-4-1) (8)

Look out for the Commodores next fall. They return virtually their entire team, which means standout midfielder Santiago Moore, goalkeeper Constantine Pougiouklidis and sweeper Danny Babar are all back and a year more experienced. That the freshmen and sophomore-heavy club made it to the quarterfinal was a feat in itself. Next season, Bayside is a legitimate city title contender.

Next: Season complete

10. Collegiate (12-5-1) (9)

Could the Dutchmen repeat as NYSAISAA champions? It’s entirely possible being that so many of Collegiate’s focal points were either sophomores or juniors, notably striker Weller Hlinomaz, the hero of the championship match victory over Poly Prep.

Next: Season complete

New: None

Dropped out: none

On the bubble: Bronx Science (12-2-0), Christ the King (7-10-0), Columbus (10-3-1), Curtis (14-2-0), Poly Prep (15-4-0), Horace Mann (12-3-2), William Bryant (12-1-3) and Xavier (9-5-3)

zbraziller@nypost.com

dbutler@nypost.com