N.J. native Steve Soss feeds off crowd, ‘strikes’ again at Jim Elliott’s 47th New Year Singles Classic

Tourney director Jim Elliott hands the trophy to two-time NYSC winner Steve Soss on Saturday at Rab’s Country Lanes.
By Nick Regina | nregina@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story
Call it a road field advantage.
New Jersey native Steve Soss “struck” again at Rab’s Country Lanes, capturing his second crown at Jim Elliott’s 47th New Year Singles Classic on Saturday. Soss outlasted Sean McAuliffe in the title round, pulling out a 225-200 triumph in the final.
The 31-year-old Roselle Park resident tossed games of 249, 259, and 269 en route to sweeping his four matches. It was the third straight trip to the championship round for Soss, the fireballing southpaw who previously defeated Sean’s brother, Tim McAuliffe Jr., in the 2020 final and finished as runner-up to Pierce Field in 2022.
There was no event in 2021 due to the pandemic.
A raucous crowd of approximately 100 onlookers peppered McAuliffe and other local keglers with “oohs” and “aahs” throughout the afternoon, hanging with bated breath on each toss. Despite the exhilarating atmosphere, Soss’ tosses typically received benign recognition and little fanfare by comparison.
Nevertheless, it only seemed to add fuel to the 31-year-old’s fire.
“When your opponents’ fans are cheering so loud, it’s tough to keep yourself concentrating,” acknowledged Soss. “You learn that from bowling…every year I come here and the whole place cheers, but when I throw a good shot it’s silence. It’s alright though, I like it.”
“They all grew up here and bowled here for years. I don’t bowl here, so to come out and bowl with these guys and have a chance of beating them. It’s a good feeling,” he added. “I just come out here to bowl.”
After both Soss and McAuliffe left pins standing on the finale’s first frame, the New Jerseyan began heating up. Soss spared the 2nd frame and proceeded to strike on frames 3 through 7. He struck on 9 and 10 before sparing out to end the match.
McAuliffe, meanwhile, recorded strikes on 2 through 4, sparing the 5th frame before striking on 6 and 7 and sparing the 8th frame. He struck on 9 and could have won the match if he doubled on 10, but left three pins standing on his first attempt — sealing his fate and securing Soss’ victory.
“It feels good to come back after losing in the finals last year. It feels really good,” said Soss. “It’s just about not worrying about pressure, just getting out there and throwing the best shot you can. I was trying to go win it.”
FINAL FOUR AND PAYOUTS
Meanwhile, Tim McAuliffe Jr. finished third after falling to Soss in the semis (268-218), while Dan Costantino came in fourth after succumbing to Sean, 206-205, in another exciting final four matchup. The three Staten Islanders are all Susan Wagner graduates, while Tim McAuliffe Jr. currently serves as the school’s head bowling coach.
Sean McAuliffe is an 11-time finalist at the event, and multi-time final four finisher. He hopes to get over the hump next year and secure his first NYSC crown.
“I had a chance. I had to double to win,” said McAuliffe, a previous Donnie Walters and multi-time USBC champion. “It’s a letdown. This is the one major Staten Island tournament I don’t have yet. This is my elusive tournament.”
“I knew I had a chance. Unfortunately, I left a seven-count (on the 10th frame),” he added. “It’s hard to beat Steve. He’s good…Once he gets going, it’s hard to stop him.”
Jeffrey Martin finished fifth, while Mike Galeotti came in sixth place. Previous winner Joe Lampariello tallied a seventh-place finish and six-time champion George Cretella rounded out the top eight finishers at the 24-person event.
Paula Meduri, the tourney’s lone female competitor, finished 13th.
Tournament director Jim Elliott and all of the competitors heaped praise on the Wilkinson family and Rab’s for the professional atmosphere on the lanes.
“It was very exciting. People like to see this, it’s like a professional bowling tournament here,” concluded Elliott. “We had some excellent bowling today. You can’t ask for too much more than that. Good matches, close matches.”
Prize money: Soss ($1100), S. McAuliffe ($700), T. McAuliffe ($450), Costantino ($300), Martin ($240), Galeotti ($215), Lampariello ($195), Cretella ($175), Dan Dunleavy ($135), Tom Hollywood ($125), Cameron LaPlant ($120), Mike Giovinazzo ($120), Meduri ($115), Nick Abbate ($115), Joe Gentile ($110), Don Pendleton ($110), John Winters ($100), Kevin Ng ($100), Bill Salvatore ($100), Ken Cedel, Ken Russo ($100), Joe LaBargo ($100), Andrew Link ($100), Tim McAuliffe Sr. ($100).
Bowling: 3 McAuliffes will make Saturday’s New Year Singles Classic finals a family affair

The McAuliffes — Tim Sr., Sean and Tim Jr. — are all set for the finals of Saturday’s New Year Singles Classic. (Staten Island Advance photo)
By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story
The Top 24 finals of Jim Elliott’s 47th New Year Singles Classic on Saturday at Rab’s Country Lanes will be a family affair for the McAuliffe clan.
Three McAuliffe family members, Tim Sr. and his sons, Tim Jr. and Sean, cracked the Top 24 list as two weekends of qualifying came to a close Sunday at Country.
Tim Jr.’s booming 836, rolled on the first weekend of qualifying, went unsurpassed, giving the 43-year-old righty the top seed. Tim Jr. won this event in 2014.
But both Sean, 35, and dad Tim Sr., 69, the former proprietor of the now defunct Victory Lanes, didn’t want Tim Jr. to have all the fun by himself and qualified 17th and 18th, respectively, checking in with series of 727 and 724.
“It’s so awesome,” said Tim Jr. about competing in the same final field with his father and younger brother. He said it’s the second time it has happened. “Sean called me with the good news (Sunday) night. I’m glad I have a first-round bye so I can avoid my dad until the later rounds. He’s money.”
Sean has been to the finals of this event numerous times, but has yet to win it all. He’s happy, however, to be competing with his dad and brother this time out.
“It’s an honor to represent our bowling family in any tournament,” said Sean. “I’ve bowled my brother Tim a bunch of times — which I have the better record, I might I add — but never my dad 1 on 1 in a tournament. They have both challenged me to always get better in any sport growing up and it will be all business if we do happen to bowl one another but emotions will be high before and after. It would be a dream to see one of them in the final match.”
Proud wife and mom Laurie McAuliffe, who works at Country, will be watching the event with great interest and some angst.
“I think she will be rooting for me. I’m her favorite,” said Tim Jr. with a laugh. “I think she has a Team McAuliffe shirt (from past events) so she will be pulling for all of us.”
Mike Galeotti (786) qualified in the second spot with a 786, while unprecedented six-time NYSC champ George Cretella (780) finished tied for third with Steve Soss, who won this event in 2020.
“George is like Tom Brady (with all those titles,” said Tim Jr. “And if I win this year I’ll be like Patrick Mahomes, chasing George’s record.”
In all, the top eight qualifiers receive first-round byes of the five-game, head-to-head match-play finals format.
Other powerhouses in the scratch finals are past champs Dan Dunleavy, Don Pendleton and Joe Lampariello and Joe Gentile, Joe LaBargo Jr. and Thomas Hollywood Jr.
BOWLER …………..NET SCORE
(* DENOTES SQUAD LEADERS)
- TIM McAULIFFE JR. 836*
- MIKE GALEOTTI 786*
- GEORGE CRETELLA 780*
- STEVE SOSS 780*
- NICK ABBATE JR. 779
- DANIEL COSTANTINO 766*
- DON PENDELTON 761*
- JOE GENTILE 760
- JOE LAMPARELLO 755*
- MIKE GIOVINAZZO 754
- THOMAS HOLLYWOOD JR. 745*
- DAN DUNLEAVY 741*
- CAMERON LAPLANT 740
- JEFFREY MARTIN 736
- KEN CEDEL 733*
- JOHN WINTERS SR. 728
- SEAN McAULIFFE 727*
- TIM McAULIFFE SR. 724*
- PAULA MEDURI 723
- KEVIN NG 723
- JOE LABARGO JR. 712*
- BILL SALVATORE 687*
- KEN RUSSO 679*
- ANDREW LINK III 676*
Note: all averages must be verified
Bowl and Catch the Big Game with Rab’s this Super Bowl-ing Sunday!
Tired of doing the same old thing on Super Bowl Sunday?
Tired of sitting on the couch watching the game?
Not interested in the big game and looking for something else to do?
Join us for Super Bowl-ing on Super Bowl Sunday, February 12, 2023 for an evening of bowling fun and football!
The fun starts at 6:00 PM, where you can enjoy unlimited bowling during the game for just $25 per person*! Not only will you get to bowl ’til you drop, you’ll also have access to some great food from Rab’s Kitchen throughout the game. With a minimum of 2 bowlers per lane, your party of up to 4 people will receive a fresh pizza pie or an appetizer sampler filled with all your favorite bites and unlimited soda. Your party of 5-6 people will enjoy both a pizza pie and an appetizer sampler.
Rab’s is the perfect place to watch the big game. With multiple TVs throughout the center, of all sizes, you won’t miss a single play. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just enjoy the social atmosphere, Super Bowl-ing Sunday is right for you.
Don’t miss out… Come and cheer on your team (or just your numbers), bowl, eat, and drink… Click here for details and to reserve your spot!
Live Music: To The Nines
To The Nines Live in Rab’s High Roller’s Lounge!
21+| No Cover
Live Music: The 180’s
The 180’s Live in Rab’s High Roller’s Lounge!
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Live Music: Fast Forward
Fast Forward Live in Rab’s High Roller’s Lounge!
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Live Music: DOC Holiday
DOC Holiday Live in Rab’s High Roller’s Lounge!
21+| No Cover
Curtis alumni squad captures New Year’s Eve Battle of the Schools at Country Lanes

5th Annual Battle of the Schools Alumni Division Champions, Team Curtis High School Tournament Director Mike Ruffe, Dennis Sciré, Thomas Hollywood, Jeff Martin, Jay Gomez, & Dave Kosinski.
By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
silive.com | Click Here for the Full Story
Hours before the ball dropped on a New Year, Rab’s Country Lanes hosted the New Year’s Eve Battle of the Schools — the fifth consecutive year for the Alumni edition and the 19th year for the High School division.
When all was said and done and the final ball had been rolled, Curtis Team No. 1, consisting of Dennis Sciré, Thomas Hollywood, Jeff Martin, Jay Gomez and Dave Kosinski, won the Alumni crown and the $1,000 top prize which will be donated to the St. George school’s bowling program. It was the team’s second crown in three years after winning in 2020.
Arlington High School, consisting of Ivan Ortega, Braden Cassidy, Keegan Howles and Ryan Lashlee, won the High School division by knocking over 2,020 pins.
“It was a great morning for some fun while raising some funds for our local bowling programs and bragging rights, of course,” said Country proprietor Frank Wilkinson.
A total of $2,000 was awarded in grants and scholarships with funds matched by the Rab Wilkinson Foundation.
The Alumni division featured 83 bowlers across 17 teams, representing 20 schools from throughout the boroughs.
After a 10-game qualifying round (baker format), the top four teams competed for the title in a rolloff where top seed Tottenville bowled fourth-seeded Monsignor Farrell and second seed Susan Wagner bowled third-seeded Curtis.
Tottenville No. 1 led the qualifying round with a 2,426, series with the tournament high game — the first perfect 300 game of the event’s history — besting Susan Wagner (2,361).
In the finals, the teams bowled two games with total wood determining the winners. Round 1: Tottenville No. 1 defeated Farrell No. 1, 432-360, while Curtis No. 1 defeated Susan Wagner No. 1, 512-411.
In the finals, Curtis defeated Tottenville, 483-443.
Alumni division
Champions: Curtis (Dennis Sciré, Thomas Hollywood, Jeff Martin, Jay Gomez and Dave Kosinski) — $1,000
Runner-up: Tottenville (Jason Wichnovitz, Mickey Endress, Vinny D’Ambrosio, III, Chris Riordan, and Tyler Bernstein) — $500
High School Division
13 Teams, representing 13 Schools, 12 Island Schools, and 1 off Island Team.
Champion: Arlington High School – 2,020 series (Ivan Ortega, Braden Cassidy, Keegan Howles and Ryan Lashlee)
Runner-up: Moore Catholic — 1,978 (Robert Werling, Zachary McGinley and Christopher Ferrera)
Full Event Results available: bowlatrabs.com/tournaments/
Some other Event Notes:
- Amongst the field… 29 athletes were recognized as Advance All Stars during their high school bowling career, three of which were four-time recipients (Melissa Kammerer, Erin Schneider, and Daniel Costantino)
- 25 PSAL City Championship Teams were represented.
- Four Staten Island Bowling/Staten Island USBC Hall of Famers competed (Tim McAuliffe Jr., Naz Laursen, Vinny D’Ambrosio III and Joe LaBargo)
Competitors varied in age… The earliest High School Grad represented the 1967 class and the latest representing the 2022 class.