Irvington High Soccer Coach Patrick DiBenedetto Receives Honor

By Michael Ganci

Patrick DiBenedetto, an Irvington art teacher and the head coach for girls soccer in the fall and girls lacrosse in the spring, has been named Coach of the Year by The Journal News.

In his first year as girls soccer head coach in over 10 years, DiBenedetto led a team that went from 9-7 the previous year to an almost perfect season. The team was undefeated in the regular season, 8-0, and won its first league title in more than 15 years. The girls made it to the Class B sectional final before losing to Albertus Magnus High School, and finished with an 18-1 record.

“This recognition is an honor for me and a reminder of the great qualities that each member has brought to the team,” DiBenedetto said. “It’s the icing on the cake. This wouldn’t have been possible for me without the other 18 girls that I share this with. It will keep me motivated to continue to work hard and cherish special moments like this that rarely come up in one’s career.”

DiBenedetto, who has been with the Irvington Union Free School District since 2004, has been coaching soccer for more than a decade at the high school. He was head coach of the boys soccer team until 2014. Under his guidance, the boys team won the league four years in a row and DiBenedetto was named League Coach of the Year each time. He was also head coach of the girls soccer team in 2005 and 2006 when the team won the sectional championship.

Athletic Director Arthur McCormack praised DiBenedetto for his hard work in preparing his team for each game. “What makes Pat a great coach is how he is able to relate to all his players,” McCormack said. “He treats his players with great respect, and in turn, they have tremendous respect and admiration for him.”

DiBenedetto said he is grateful for the award and believes he was recognized for his dedication to his team and his ability to keep the girls focused and help them achieve consistent results.

“This award gives Pat recognition as one of the top coaches, boys or girls, in the area,” McCormack said. “He is one of the most humble people I know. He is not in it for any personal recognition, but to have the sports writers that cover all the soccer games around the section recognize his accomplishments makes this a special and well-deserved honor.”

Photo 1: Patrick DiBenedetto led the Irvington High School girls soccer team from a 9-7 record the previous year to an almost perfect season this year. The team was undefeated in the regular season, 8-0, and won its first league title in more than 15 years. Photo 2: Patrick DiBenedetto. Photo credit Irvington Union Free School District