Molloy poised to bounce back

Improved defense obvious key for Lions 

The Lions would like to pick up where they left off last fall when they went undefeated (three wins and a tie) in their last four games to salvage a 5-11-1 season. To carry over the taste of success, they need to stay healthy and batten down the defensive hatches, Longo said.

“The guys never gave up and the strong play at the end gave us something to build on,” coach Danny Longo noted. “We were forced to use a lot of guys out of position and we didn’t work as hard as we could. This year we’ll have everyone back at their natural spots and I’m confident we’ll compete every game.”

Molloy’s defense, which yielded 39 goals a year ago including 15 in seven East Coast Conference games, should be vastly improved with the return to health of center backs Anthony Morais and Steven Reyes, as well as the additions of transfers Joe Pinto and Joe Amendolare. Craig Calderone also returns to a unit likely to benefit from boasting a pair of quality goalkeepers in junior Michael Hunter and redshirt freshman Justin Corke. Hunter has 22 starts under his belt.

“I think we’ll have a solid defense and our keepers are going to battle it out for the starting job,” Longo said.

Juniors Zach Santangelo and Paul Ferrandino return to their comfort zone in the midfield, which also features three-year starting senior Daniel Patino and sophomore Dan Brown. Patino and Brown had three goals apiece in 2010. The Lions, who open Sept. 1 at home against Holy Family, have weapons up front with senior John Alberda (six goals) and junior Tyler De La Torre.

“We have 28 players, which is by far our most in five years,” Longo said. “We have the talent and depth to be better than .500.”

Valentine to lead Lady Lions 

The Lady Lions are always competitive in the ECC, finishing with at least four victories in each of the past four seasons including a 4-3-0 mark in 2010. But a leaky defense — they allowed 47 goals — has them seeking to rebound from an overall record of 6-10-1.

“Last year was a solid effort overall and I think we can top or match how we did in the conference,” Longo explained. “This is the best team we’ve had on paper since I’m here. We didn’t do a good job defensively, but we’ll be improved back there.”

If nothing else, Longo knows where a large chunk of the offense is going to come from. Junior striker Nicole Valentine, an All-ECC Second Team selection and former conference Rookie of the Year, has 16 career goals. “She’s arguably the best player in the ECC,” he said. “She’s got a strong and accurate shot and finds ways to score.” Joining Valentine up front is quick and athletic Casey Filippone, one of six freshmen.

A transfer from Marist, sophomore Allison Sloper brings speed to a deep midfield. She joins senior Nicole Reverberi, juniors Kylie Barbosa (five goals, four assists) and Brittany Bauer, and sophomore Samantha Saad.

The starting goalkeeper spot is up for grabs between sophomore Tricia Zarro, who started all 17 games last fall and made 75 saves, and freshman Nicole DellaPorta. Defensively, junior captain Nicole DeLuca is back from a knee injury that cost her all of last season to help junior Alyssa Faller anchor the group. Also expected to contribute are junior Katie Coffey and freshmen Jackie Valentine and Annette Mims.

The Lady Lions open at the Dowling Tournament on Sept. 2 against Merrimack. They’ll also face St. Michael’s there Sept. 4. The home opener is Sept. 9 versus Pitt.-Johnstown.