SUNY Old Westbury Men’s Soccer prepping for their match against Hunter College. Photo Credits: Jacob Taormina.
In 2022, the SUNY Old Westbury Men’s soccer team tallied one win. The Panthers matched that total in just their third game of the season on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 with a 2-1 victory over Brooklyn College at Jackie Robinson Sports Complex. The win brought their season record to 1-2.
It was a rainy and humid day, but it didn’t affect the Panthers in the slightest as they brought the energy and fought for ninety minutes to earn the victory.
In speaking with head coach John DiRico, it seems the team is determined to improve upon last year’s season in a big way. When asked what their goals were for the year DiRico said simply, “win the conference.”
The Panthers surpassed last year’s win total on Saturday, September 16 against Hunter College, winning the game 3-2. This was their last non-conference meeting before beginning conference play against Sarah Lawrence College. Just two days later, they will play Yeshiva University. Following that, they will play two non-conference matches and wrap up their season with a stretch of nine straight matches against conference opponents, finishing the regular season with a matchup against defending champions United States Merchant Marine Academy.
If the Panthers are going to be the team they expect to be going forward, they will look to lean on key players such as returning defensemen Ashel Santos, who started every game last year, as well as Tiago Tirado who played in all fifteen games last year, starting in twelve. The Panthers will also look to get production from a few freshmen who have impressed early on. “Christian Rincon has been a great addition. A few of the guys were petitioning for him to get [game] time and the kid looked like he’s been here for two or three years, and he’s a freshman,” said Coach DiRico. He also mentioned freshman center back Tyler Tesoriere and goalkeeper Andy Chacho as key pieces to their squad. “With those three up the center of the field, they are certainly huge additions to this year’s recruiting class,” he said.
A huge component to their game that the Panthers will look to improve as the season goes on is their attack play. However, one thing Coach DiRico has been impressed with is the heart his guys have shown. “The thing that I like about all three games [so far] is the guys fought,” he explained. “As long as you work hard and fight no coach will complain. Yeah, your touches might let you down, some days your shooting, but don’t ever stop working hard, and they haven’t.”
We wish the Panthers luck the rest of the way and when all is said and done, we hope to see them bring a trophy back to campus.
