Improved offense to lead Molloy

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Molloy College men’s soccer coach Danny Longo has high expectations for an offense that struggled to find the net last season with only 14 goals in 18 games. 

An influx of newcomers at forward and in the midfield has the Lions believing they’ll challenge New York Tech and LIU-Post for the East Coast Conference championship. Last fall, Molloy went 5-4-1 in conference games but 0-7-1 otherwise.

“Last year was positive in a lot of ways, but we didn’t play well outside of the conference,” Longo said. “I was happy with the conference record.

“We have more athleticism and chemistry,” he added. “It’s the first time in a long time I’m saying we should be right in the mix for the conference title.”

The forward group has been bolstered by the additions of transfers Kyle Poetzsch and Mosiash Whyte. Both have two years of eligibility remaining. Poetzsch, a former standout at Hicksville High School who helped the Comets with a state crown, is fast with a tremendous skill set, Longo said. He was a high school teammate of Molloy’s lone returning starting forward Lucas Munoz, a senior who enjoyed a big offseason.

“We have to get Kyle opportunities to finish,” Longo said. “He’s super athletic and is great in the air.”

The speedy and savvy Munoz, who was injured for part of last season, has looked strong throughout camp, the coach noted. Longo described Whyte, who has 21 collegiate goals to his credit, as “a goal-scoring machine.” 

“If we don’t double our goal output from last season, I’d be surprised,” Longo said. “We can potentially be very good. We have the ability to sustain pressure and score a bunch of goals.”

In the midfield, senior Lester Franco is a steady presence and has three career goals. “He’s grown as a player every year and is a big part of the program,” Longo said. Joining Franco are newcomers Josh Zapata, who helped Suffolk CC to a national title, and Orlando Castaneda, a transfer from Iona and former national team standout as a teenager.

In the back, the Lions must replace the ECC’s top goalkeeper from a year ago, Justin Corke, who led the conference in saves. With Corke now an assistant on Longo’s staff, redshirt freshman Stephen Tappeto is set to take over between the pipes.

Longo expects sophomore defenders Chris Moschella and Dale McNevin to benefit from last year’s experience. The group also includes junior Steven Jimenez, senior George Sinacore and freshman Kieran Hall.

The Lions open with three consecutive road games, beginning with Nyack College on Sept. 5. The home opener is Sept. 16 against Dominican College at 6 p.m.

Nucleus returns for Lady Lions
Longo, who also serves as Molloy’s women’s soccer coach, is looking for the Lady Lions to build some early confidence after finishing 5-8-1 overall (5-4 ECC) in 2014.

“We bring back a solid nucleus,” he said. “Last year’s team was very competitive. We were in the mix in all the conference games. A couple of bounces and we’re 7-2 instead of 5-4.”

Goalkeeping is the team’s biggest question mark. The projected starter transferred, leaving a handful of position players as candidates to fill the opening. Junior Gabrielle Batista, who’s an integral part of the defense, could be the choice or sophomores Kristen Cummings or Erica Coppola may get the nod.

Batista is part of an experienced defense that could limit the shots Molloy’s keeper will face. Like Batista, senior Annette Mims and junior Courtney Noakes were key contributors in the back row last fall. Freshman Amanda Milazzo is expected to play big minutes right away.

The Lady Lions scored only 10 goals a year ago, but Longo is counting on steady output from junior Danielle Valente, who has all the tools, and the speed of senior Alicia Mercurio, junior Jessica Malone and sophomore San Bernieri to create havoc.

In the midfield, senior Christina Restivo and junior Gianna Jennosa return, and newcomer Shannon Murphy is expected to provide an offensive spark.

Molloy has four non-conference games leading up to the ECC opener at Queens College on Sept. 19. The season begins Sept. 4 when Bentley University visits for a 7 p.m. start at Skelos Sports Complex.