Molloy Soccer Season Kicks Off

Molloy College men's and women's soccer coach Daniel Longo expects one thing out of both his teams this year: consistency. A lack of that plagued both squads last year, causing each team to have sub-par 2009 seasons in the Eastern Coast Conference. 

Lady Lions focus on consistency

Longo said last year's team looked good on paper, but that was about it. "Last year we were so inconsistent," Longo said. "We had a lot of individuals on last year's team and not enough team players. We had too many on and off the field issues."

The women's team finished 6-10 in 2009, with only one road victory in eight games. The Lady Lions did beat nationally ranked Bridgeport, but that was one of few highlights in a down season. Longo pointed to last year's Rookie of the Year, current sophomore Nicole Valentine, as someone who needs to to step up and lead the team. She scored six goals and tallied 13 points while playing in 12 of 16 games last season, he said, but she needs to increase that total if the team is going to succeed. 

"She's got to look to have 30 points," he said. "She's good enough to score more. She's going to have a target on her back."

Another key to a winning season is returning injured players to the field, Longo said.  Two of the four team captains — senior Diana Geneva and junior Nicole Deluca — are hurt, and their leadership is needed to steer the team. Longo noted that Southern Connecticut State University transfer Nicole Reverberi — a junior central midfielder — will be a key cog in this year's road to success.

"She's part of the reason we've changed," he said. "She's a hard worker, technically sound and ready to play. She's revitalized this team."

The Lady Lions open against St. Michael's at a Dowling College tournament tonight.

New transfers may help Lions

Longo tabbed last year's men's season as a disappointment. Only a year after winning the ECC title and reaching the quarterfinals, the men followed with a 7-8-1 season last year.

"We let four games get away," Longo said. "We should have been 11-5, but we lacked consistency."

The Lions did lose top score Jose Batista, along with two other All-Conference players, but Longo said he is confident that the younger players returning will fill the void. "We got a lot of good kids coming back, and they're all hard workers," he said.

A key player that Longo said he is looking to excel is forward John Alberda, a junior transfer from Hofstra. Alberda was a high school teammate of senior Mike Adamcewicz at Commack, and the two paired as a lethal duo. Alberta was scouted out of high school by some of the top college soccer programs in the country — Wake Forest, St. John's and Penn State — so Longo said he hopes Alberda can bring something special to the team.

"He's legit," Longo said of Alberda's talent. "He just needs to fulfill his potential. But if has a good year, it will help us a lot."

The Lions have a tough opening schedule, with its first two games against No. 8 ranked Southern New Hampshire and No. 16 Franklin Pierce.