St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers men's soccer explained

St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers
University:St. Francis College
Founded:1968
Folded:2023
City:Brooklyn
Stateabb:NY
State:New York
Stadium:Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5
Capacity:1,200
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Shorts1:0038A8
Socks1:0038A8
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Ncaaeliteeight:1978
Ncaasweetsixteen:1976
Ncaatourneys:1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1982, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020
Conference Tournament:1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020
Conference Season:1991, 1997, 1998, 2016, 2017, 2020

The St. Francis Terriers men's soccer team represented St. Francis College, which is located in Brooklyn Heights, New York. The team was a member of the Division I Northeast Conference (NEC). The Terriers played their home games at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Pier 5, which is also located in Brooklyn Heights. The field is located on the East River and has the Manhattan Skyline as a backdrop.[1]  

From 1968 to 2019, the Terriers have compiled a 455–365–88 record and have won five NEC regular season championships and eight NEC tournament championships.[2] Since joining the NEC in 1985, the Terriers have compiled a 137–117–26 record in conference play and have won the most tournament championships in the conference. The Terriers have also participated in nine National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournaments, their best showing came in 1978 when they made it to the Elite Eight. Since joining the NEC, the Terriers have made it to four NCAA tournaments and they have been one game away on three previous occasions ('95, '96 and '98).[3]  

Their last head coach, Tom Giovatto, joined the Terriers in 2007 and led the team to a 120–85–32 record. From 2013 to 2019, Giovatto's squads won two NEC regular season championship, four NEC tournament championships and participated in four NCAA Tournaments.

History

The Terriers played their home games at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Pier 5, which is also located in Brooklyn Heights. The field is located on the East River and has the Manhattan Skyline as a backdrop. The Terriers began hosting games on Pier 5 in 2013, they previously hosted home games at the Aviator Sports Complex located at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn from 2007 to 2012.[1] Prior to 2007, the Terriers played their home games at Belson Stadium, on the St. John's University campus in Queens. The Terriers first game at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5 was against the St. Peter's University Peacocks on September 13, 2013, and resulted in a 3–1 victory for the home team.[4]

Carlo Tramontozzi era (1968–1988)

The St. Francis Terriers men's soccer team was founded in 1968 by Carlo Tramontozzi with the help of Brother Roger Nagle and then athletic director Daniel Lynch.[5] Tramontozzi was a recent graduate of Long Island University where he had helped lead the Blackbirds men's soccer team to the NCAA tournament (1965 and 1966) and garnered various national and regional awards as a player. As the head coach of the Terriers, Tramontozzi led them to a 190–116–30 record and to 5 NCAA tournament appearances over 21 seasons. The most successful team in program history was the 1978 Terriers squad that was ranked sixth nationally and made it to the quarterfinals in the NCAA tournament.[6] [7] His 1981 squad was also nationally ranked in the top 20.[8] The 1985 season marked the beginning of conference play as the Terriers joined the Northeast Conference.

Sam Carrington era (1989–2001)

Carrington is an alumnus and played on Carlo Tramontozzi's 1982 NCAA Tournament qualifying team. He coached the Terriers for 13 seasons and led them to a 127–106–16 overall record and 62–37–7 in conference play. During his tenure the Terriers won 3 regular season championships and 4 conference tournament championships.

Tom Giovatto era (2007–2023)

Current head coach, Tom Giovatto, joined the Terriers in 2007 and has led the team to a 120–85–32 record. During his tenure as head coach, the Terriers have won 2 NEC regular season championships, 4 NEC tournament championships and have appeared in 4 NCAA Tournaments. In his first six years at the helm, Giovatto had three winning seasons and three losing seasons. He failed to reach the NEC Tournament in 5 of those first 6 years. Then Giovatto proceeded to lead the Terriers to four NEC tournament championships in five years, from 2013 to 2017.[9] The Terriers also participated in 4 NCAA tournaments, receiving the NEC's automatic bid for the conference tournament champion. The 2015 team went unbeaten in their first 9 games and were ranked 22nd Nationally by the NSCAA Top 25 Coaches Poll for the first time in the Tom Giovatto era.[10] Giovatto has won two NEC Coach of the Year awards, first in 2016 and again in 2017- they coincide with the Terriers winning conference regular season championships those years. Also during this time, the Terriers have placed four players in professional leagues: Vincent Bezecourt (New York Red Bulls), Salvatore Barone (New York Cosmos), Dominick Falanga (New York Cosmos), and Leo Folla (Chattanooga Red Wolves SC).

After the 2017 season, Giovatto has had to rebuild his team due to losing high impact players to graduation. In 2018 and 2019, the Terriers failed to qualify for the NEC Tournament.

Elimination of Athletic Program (2023)

On March 20, 2023, St Francis announced that their athletics programs would be eliminated following the Spring 2023 semester, with the college citing tight financial issues. In a statement, the college noted that the COVID-19 pandemic “left an indelible impact on St. Francis College, and as a result, Terrier athletics.”

Seasons

St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers
SeasonHead coachSeason resultsTournament results
Overall[11] ConferenceConferenceNCAA[12]
RecordRecordFinish
1968Carlo Tramontozzi2–8–1
19695–6–0
19707–5–2
19718–5–2
19728–5–1
197310–4–1
197412–2–1First round (0–1)
19759–4–1
197612–2–1Round of 16 (1–1)
197710–2–2First round (0–1)
197814–4–0Quarterfinal (2–1)
197911–3–2
19807–6–3
198112–4–2
198211–4–4First round (0–1)
198313–5–1
19846–11–1
19856–10–13–3–04th
19869–7–14–2–03rd
19878–11–12–4–06th
198810–8–2
1989Sam Carrington9–8–14–2–13rdSemi-final (0–1)
19908–10–24–2–13rdSemi-final (0–1)
199114–4–26–1–01stChampion (2–0)
19927–10–14–3–15thDNQ
19938–7–14–4–06thDNQ
19945–11–23–5–0T-5thDNQ
199514–7–14–3–13rdChampion (2–0)Play-In
199613–8–06–2–02ndChampion (2–0)Play-In
199714–6–15–1–01stSemi-final (0–1)
199815–6–17–1–11stChampion (2–0)Play-In
19995–13–24–5–15thSemi-final (0–1)
200010–6–17–2–12ndSemi-final (0–1)
20015–10–14–6–07thDNQ
2002Carlo Acquista3–11–33–5–27thDNQ
20031–14–20–9–010thDNQ
20048–9–15–4–05thDNQ
20054–11–21–8–010thDNQ
20062–13–22–5–27thDNQ
2007Tom Giovatto4–9–52–5–28thDNQ
200811–4–34–3–25thDNQ
200910–6–27–2–12ndSemi-final (0–1)
20105–9–33–6–18thDNQ
2011 10–5–35–3–26thDNQ
20127–10–14–6–08thDNQ
201312–6–14–3–04thChampion (2–0)First round (0–1)
201411–6–44–1–23rdChampion (2–0)First round (0–1)
201510–4–43–2–24thSemi-final (0–1)
2016 12–5–36–0–11stChampion (2–0) First round (0–1)
2017 14–5–16–0–11stChampion (2–0) First round (0–1)
20187–10–04–4–0T-5thDNQ
20197–6–23–5–1T-6thDNQ
2020 7–2–15–1–11stChampion (1–0)Second round (1–1)
53 Seasons 462–367–89142–118–27 6 NEC titles
(Regular Season)
17–7 in NEC Tournament
9 NEC tournament titles
4–10 in NCAA Tournament
10 bids
Legend
Conference regular season champion        Conference tournament champion
Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
Post-season tournament invitation              Post-season tournament champion
NCAA national champion

See also: Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Tournament.

Players

2019 roster

As of May 3, 2021.[13] Captains in bold

Coaching staff

(2007–present) (2015–present) (2019–present)

Terriers in professional leagues

NCAA tournament results

The Terriers have appeared in 10 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championships and in 3 play-ins. Their NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship record is 4–10, while their Play-In record is 0–3 and does not count towards the tally. Their best finish was in 1978, when they reached the Elight Eight.

YearRoundOpponentResult/score
First roundL 2–4
First round
Sweet Sixteen
Adelphi
Hartwick
W 2–0
L 0–3
First round L 1–5
First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elight Eight
W 1–0
W 2–0
L 0–4
First round L 1–4
Play-In L 0–4
YearRoundOpponentResult/score
Play-In L 0–3
Play-In L 0–3
First round L 0–1
First round L 0–3
First round L 0–12OT
First round L 2–3OT
First round
Second round
W 2–1OT
L 1–12OT PK 1-3

Coaching history

OverallConference
NameYearsWin–loss–tiePct.Win–loss–tiePct.Notes
Carlo Tramontozzi1968–88 (21yrs)190–116–3061.0%9–9–050.0%5 NCAA Tournament appearances
Sam Carrington1989–2001 (13yrs)127–106–1654.2%62–37–761.8%3 NEC regular season championships
4 NEC tournament championships
Carlo Acquista2002–2006 (5yrs)18–58–1026.7%11–31–428.3%
Tom Giovatto2007–present127–87–3358.1%60–41–1658.1%3 NEC Regular Season Championship
5 NEC tournament championships
5 NCAA Tournament appearances

Terrier records

St. Francis College records
Season[19] Career
Goals22 Bernard Celestin (1983)48 Dimitri Petrouniak (1995–1998)
Points46 Bernard Celestin (1983)124 Dimitri Petrouniak (1995–1998)
Assists22 Daniel Benoit (1974)28 Dimitri Petrouniak (1995–1998)
Saves189 Mark Woseley (1990)532 Dragan Radovich (1975–1978)
Shutouts11 Dragan Radovich (1978)
11 Mario Flava (1988)
30 Dragan Radovich (1975–1978)

Record vs. NEC opponents

St. Francis Brooklyn vs. Overall conference record
Bryant SFBK, 12–1–2
Central ConnecticutSFBK, 18–7–4
SFBK, 20–23–6
LIU SFBK, 22–25–4
Merrimack SFBK, 0–2–0
SFBK, 2–1–0
Robert Morris SFBK, 21–13–2
Sacred Heart SFBK, 10–7–4
SFBK, 17–15
  • As of May 3, 2021. Does not count NEC Tournament games.

Conference rivalry

The fiercest rival of the Terriers are the Long Island University Blackbirds. Starting in 2013, the winner of the annual Battle of Brooklyn match is awarded the Ramirez/Tramontozzi trophy. The Trophy recognizes former coaches Arnie Ramirez and Carlos Tramontozzi, from LIU and St. Francis respectively. Both coaches were life-long friends and greatly influenced their respective programs.[20] St. Francis Brooklyn captured the inaugural trophy on LIU's field on November 10, 2013, behind a 4–0 performance. The formal Battle of Brooklyn ended after the 2018 season, when LIU Brooklyn merged with LIU Post to form LIU and host their games on Long Island, rather than Brooklyn. Their rivalry continues, but for soccer matches the Battle of Brooklyn moniker is no longer used.

Accolades

NCAA Division I men's soccer First-Team All-Americans

NCAA Division I men's soccer Second-Team All-Americans

NCAA Division I men's soccer Third-Team All-Americans

NCAA Division I men's soccer Honorable Mention

NEC men's soccer

YearNEC Player of the Year[29] [30] NEC Defender of the YearNEC Coach of the YearFirst Team All-NECSecond Team ALL-NECNEC Rookie of the Year
1986Clint Marcelle, Lenny Leggard, Kurt Barrington, Mario Fava
style=background:silver 1987style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Clint Marcelle, Kurt Barrington, Mario Favastyle=background:silver style=background:silver
1988Clint MarcelleClint Marcelle, Kurt Barrington, Mario FavaAndy Haynes
style=background:silver 1989style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Irvin Ellison, Andy Haynesstyle=background:silver Chiwale DaSilva, Leroi Wilsonstyle=background:silver
1990Chiawale DaSilva, Andy HaynesIrvin Ellison, Sherwin Besson
style=background:silver 1991style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Sam Carringtonstyle=background:silver Chiawale DaSilva, Andy Haynes, Steve Masonstyle=background:silver Irvin Ellison, Sherwyn Bessonstyle=background:silver Steve Mason
1992Chiwale DaSilva, Sherwyn BessonRon MitchellRon Mitchell
style=background:silver 1993style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Marlon Morris, Ron Mitchellstyle=background:silver style=background:silver
1994Marlon Morris, Ron Mitchell
style=background:silver 1995style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Ron Mitchellstyle=background:silver style=background:silver Dmitri Petrouniak
1996Duke ShamoDmitri Petrouniak, Kevin Mooyoung
style=background:silver 1997style=background:silver Duke Shamostyle=background:silver style=background:silver Sam Carringtonstyle=background:silver Duke Shamo, Dmitri Petrouniak, Troy Mohney, Augustus Pokoo-Aikensstyle=background:silver style=background:silver
1998Duke ShamoSam CarringtonDuke Shamo, Dmitri Petrouniak, Victor Avwontom, Agard Radoncic, Mersim BeskovicJared Diehl, Michel PetersAgard Radoncic
style=background:silver 1999style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Agard Radoncicstyle=background:silver style=background:silver
2000Agard Radoncic, Mersim Beskovic, Marcus MauricePrince Ogodo, Agron Sokolki
style=background:silver 2001style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Joseph Affulstyle=background:silver Ricardo Ordain, Ron Azingestyle=background:silver
2002Joseph Afful
style=background:silver 2003style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Alessandro Acquistastyle=background:silver
2004Alessandro Acquista, Jarron Brooks
style=background:silver 2005style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Carlos Moncaleanostyle=background:silver
2006Anthony Matos
style=background:silver 2007style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Semso Nikocevicstyle=background:silver John Sallhagstyle=background:silver John Sallhag
2008John Sallhag, Semso Nikocevic
style=background:silver 2009style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Semso Nikocevic, Anthony Matosstyle=background:silver Javier Gonzalez, John Sallhagstyle=background:silver
2010John Sallhag
style=background:silver 2011style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Gabriel Bagotstyle=background:silver Adam Maabdi, Aldo Tomastyle=background:silver
2012Kevin CorreaAdam Maabdi, Gabriel BagotKevin Correa
style=background:silver 2013style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Kevin Correa, John Johansson style=background:silver Andy Cormack, Gabriel Bagotstyle=background:silver
2014Riccardo Milano, Jack Binks Andy Cormack, John Makaya, Vincent Bezecourt
style=background:silver 2015style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Vincent Bezecourt, Harry Odell, Jack Binks, Cyril Coisnestyle=background:silver Paul Galimistyle=background:silver
2016Collyns LaokandiTom GiovattoSalvatore Barone, Dominick Falanga, Collyns Laokandi, Robert Bazzichetto Yussuf Olajide, Fabian Suele Faouzi Taieb
style=background:silver 2017style=background:silver style=background:silver Faouzi Taiebstyle=background:silver Tom Giovattostyle=background:silver Faouzi Taieb, Dominick Falanga, Collyns Laokandi, Robert Bazzichettostyle=background:silver Federico Curbelo, Leo Follastyle=background:silver
2018Julien Remiti Anthony Gimenes
style=background:silver 2019style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver style=background:silver Yoann Assoumin style=background:silver El Mahdi Youssoufi style=background:silver

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Outdoor Fields. aviatorsports.com. 3 November 2011.
  2. Web site: NEC Men' Soccer History. northeastconference.org. 3 November 2011.
  3. Web site: NCAA Men's Soccer Participation. northeastconference.org. 3 November 2011.
  4. Web site: In the Bag: Bagot's Two Goals Seals Home Opener For Terriers on Tuesday Night. SFCAthletics.com. 11 September 2013.
  5. Web site: Carlo Tramontozzi (2006) - Hall of Fame.
  6. Web site: St. Francis Tops Lions in Soccer Final. The New York Times. 6 August 2019.
  7. Web site: Terriers Ousted by Clemson. The New York Times. 6 August 2019.
  8. Web site: Upset by Brooklyn. The New York Times. 6 August 2019.
  9. Web site: St. Francis soccer takes third NEC title in four years. 16 November 2016. brooklyneagle.com. 30 June 2017.
  10. Web site: Ranked and ready, Terriers soccer chases title three. 7 October 2015. brooklyneagle.com. 30 June 2017.
  11. Web site: SFC Men's Soccer All-Time Results. sfcathletics.com. 2 November 2011.
  12. Web site: Men's Division I Championship Brackets. ncaa.org. 2 November 2011.
  13. Web site: 2020 Men's Soccer Roster. 3 May 2021.
  14. Web site: Leo Folla Signs USL Contract with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
  15. Web site: Dominick Falanga Signs with New York Cosmos. sfcathletics.com. 3 April 2019.
  16. Web site: Salvatore Barone Signs With NY Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. sfcathletics.com. 9 June 2017.
  17. Web site: Red Bulls II's Bezecourt Signs MLS Deal. 11 August 2017. uslsoccer.com. 11 August 2017.
  18. Web site: Former Terrier Defender Javier Gonzalez Signs With Club Deportivo Nublense. SFCAthletics.com. 7 June 2014.
  19. Web site: St. Francis Brooklyn Men's Soccer All-Time Records. SFCAthletics.com. 15 November 2013.
  20. Web site: St. Francis Brooklyn & LIU Brooklyn Play For More Than Bragging Rights This Sunday. SFCAthletics.com. 27 October 2015.
  21. Web site: All-America Awards Div SC (1976). nscaa.com. 3 November 2011.
  22. Web site: All-America Awards Div SC (1977). nscaa.com. 3 November 2011.
  23. Web site: All-America Awards Div SC (1978). nscaa.com. 3 November 2011.
  24. Web site: All-America Awards Div SC (1979). nscaa.com. 3 November 2011.
  25. Web site: All-America Awards. nscaa.com. 3 November 2011.
  26. Web site: 2013 NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Men's All-America Team. nscaa.com. 14 December 2013.
  27. Web site: Senior Midfielder Vincent Bezecourt Named Third Team All-American. SCFAthletics.com. 11 December 2015.
  28. Web site: SFBK'S TAIEB NAMED COLLEGE SOCCER NEWS ALL-AMERICAN. Northeastconference.org. 2 February 2018.
  29. Web site: NEC Men's Soccer All-Conference Teams (1997-2010). northeastconference.org. 3 November 2011.
  30. Web site: NEC Men's Soccer Recordbook. northeastconference.org. 3 November 2011.