June 17, 2008
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham Men's Soccer Coach Jim McElderry has announced the addition of seven incoming players today for the 2008 season, giving the Rams 12 news players for next season. Forward Aaron Markowitz (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hastings), midfielder/defender Andreas Pafitis (Bayside, N.Y./St. Demetrios), goalkeeper Greg O'Brien (Westfield, N.J./Westfield), goalkeeper John Coster (New Hyde Park, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy), midfielder Matt DesRoches (Wethersfield, Conn./Wethersfield), defender Phil Ferrantello (Dix Hills, N.Y./St. John the Baptist), and forward Ryan Dicce (Landenberg, Pa./Kennett) will suit up for Fordham next season.
A 5-7 forward, Markowitz was a New York All-State performer last season at Hastings High School, earning League MVP honors. A team captain as a senior, he was a two-time team MVP, a two-time All-Section pick, and a three-time All-League selection. He is a member of FC Westchester for club soccer, where he helped the team to the U15 and U16 Eastern NYS Cup Championships. In 2007, he helped FC Westchester to the Disney Tournament title by leading the tournament in goals. Away from the field, Markowitz is a member of the National Honor Society and the Honor Roll.
A 6-0 midfielder/defender, Pafitis brings international experience to Rose Hill, as he took part in preseason training with Greek Team Ethnikos Assias of Cyprus in 2006, and was invited to train with the Cyprus Youth National Team in summer 2007. A 2006 member of the NY ODP '90 team, he played high school soccer at St. Demetrios High School of Astoria and club soccer for the New York Pancyprian Freedoms Men's Team. He was a part of the Freedoms 2006-07 Cosmopolitan League Championship, as well as winning the Dr. Manning NY State Cup Championship in 2006 and 2007. Away from the pitch, Pafitis is a member and co-President of the National Honor Society at St. Demetrios.
A 5-11 goalkeeper, O'Brien was a 2007 team captain for the Westfield High School soccer team. He earned New Jersey All-State honors and was a First Team All-Union County and All-Watchung Conference selection. He also played club soccer for the U18 Jersey Knights Lancers and the U20 Jersey Knights Super Y League.
A 6-3 goalkeeper, Coster was the starting goalkeeper at Archbishop Molloy High School, where he was a two-time CHSAA Diocesan All-Star. A 2007 Times-Ledger First Team goalkeeper, he played club soccer for the Premier U19 Brooklyn Italians, which won the 2006 State Cup Championship. He also brings international experience, playing for the 2008 Viareggio New York Stars in the Italy Carnival Cup.
A 5-9 midfielder, DesRoches was a 2007 team captain for Wethersfield High School. He was named First Team All-State by the CSCA and The Hartford Courant. A U17 ODP team member, he plays club soccer for FSA Soccer Plus, which won the 2008 State Cup Championship.
A 5-11 defender, Ferrantello was a 2007 team captain for St. John the Baptist High School. He had a stellar final season, earning team MVP honors as well as All-State and All-League honors. He was also selected to the NY Metro All-Area Soccer team by Rise Magazine. He played club soccer for the Dix Hills Hurricanes, where he has been team captain from 2004-08. Away from the pitch, Ferrantello is a member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies , and received the Magna Cum Laude Award from 2004 through 2008.
A 6-0 forward, Dicce was a four-year letterwinner at Kennett High School, serving as team captain his final two seasons. A two-time All-League and All-Area performer, he led the team and league in goals as a senior and was named to the 2007 All-Southeastern Pennsylvania All-Star team. He also played club soccer for the Hockessin Blizzard, which won the 2007 U18 Disney Showacase and the 2008 State Cup Championship. In addtion to soccer, Dicce was a three-year football letterwinner as a kicker and a three-year letter winner in track and lacrosse. Away from the field, he was named Business Student of the Year and was captain of the Mock Trial Team.
These seven players will join goalkeeper Ryan Meara (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep), defender Alberto Gajano (Chatham, N.J./Chatham), midfielder Michael Caputo (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire), midfielder Sam Jolly (Louisville, Ky./St. Xavier), and midfielder/forward Matt Courtenay (Louisville, Ky./DuPont Manual) who were brought in during the spring semester.
