July 21, 2011

Bronx, N.Y. - With the school year rapidly approaching, and the 2011 men's soccer season looming on the horizon, Fordham's Head Coach, Jim McElderry announced his incoming players for the 2011 campaign on Thursday, July 21, 2011. The class includes an international player and six other competitors.

The recruits include four goalkeepers and three midfielders. Looking for playing time between the pipes for the Rams will be incoming freshmen Ricky Berotti, Sean Brailey, Mike DeVito and Antonio Salluzzi. The other players are Ralph Jerome, Mike McNamara and Jack-Tim Murphy.

Berotti comes to Fordham after a highly successful career at nearby Chaminade High School. The Island Park, N.Y. native led the team to a national ranking as a four-year starter between the pipes for the Flyers. He was named a captain prior to his senior season and allowed only three goals for the year en route to 13 shutouts, a #7 national ranking, and a state title. For his efforts, Berotti was named First Team All-State, First Team All-Long Island, and was a two-year all league player. More recently, Berotti helped his club team, Albertson, qualify for the USSF Playoffs in Dallas, Texas.

The next goalie, Sean Brailey, comes to Rose Hill from Massapequa High School. The Massapequa Park, New York, native was a two-year starter between the pipes for the Chiefs. Her served as a co-captain during his senior year and helped the side capture the Nassau County title by recording nine clean sheets in net. He was an All-Conference selection as a junior and Honorable Mention, All-County in his final year. He played club soccer with the Smithtown Wizards.

Another goalkeeper recruit for the Rams is Mike DeVito. DeVito is a Wyckoff, New Jersey native, who comes to Fordham after competing at Ramapo High School. He posted a senior-year record of 18-3 overall, including 14 shutouts. The two-year starter was named All-League and All-County twice. He was also chosen as a team captain for his senior campaign. Outside of school, he played his club soccer with the Torpedoes and competed in the International Dana Cup in Denmark.

The final goalie for the Rams is Antonio Salluzzi. The North Massapequa, New York, resident attended Plainedge High School; where he was a two-year member of the soccer team. He helped his side capture the league title in 2009, ending a 14 year hiatus and was named the 2010 MVP for the fall season. He took home a Scholar-Athlete Award and was named All-County Honorable Mention for 2010. He played club soccer with the Garden City Gladiators.

In addition to the goalies, Fordham added three midfield players. Ralph Jerome comes to Rose Hill after playing three years of varsity soccer for Glen Rock High School in Glen Rock, New Jersey. Jerome was named All-Suburban Sophomore of the Year in 2008. He was also chosen as First Team All-League for all three seasons at Glen Rock. In his senior year, as a captain, he led the team in scoring with 28 goals and helped the team to its first sectional championship since 1991. For his efforts, he was chosen First Team All-State, First Team All-Bergen County, and First Team All-Suburban in 2010. His two older sisters, Kristin and Leah, both graduated from Fordham. Leah was a standout soccer player on the women's team.

The other two newcomers joining Jerome up front are Mike McNamara and Jack-Tim Murphy. McNamara remains on the Rose Hill campus after graduating from Fordham Prep in May. The Huntington Station, New York native, was a three-year starter for the Rams. He served as a captain during his senior season en route to being selected All-Archdiocese and All-City. He played his club soccer for the Huntington Rockets.

Murphy traveled across the Atlantic to join the Rams. He is from Wexford, Ireland and played his high school soccer at St. Peter's College Secondary School. Recently, he competed in the prestigious Centenary Shield tournament and represented his homeland on the Ireland International Schoolboy Team. He joins current junior Ryan Curran as the only Irish natives on the team.

Coach McElderry's team opens the season on August 27 against the University of Hartford in Connecticut. The squad's home opener is Wednesday, August 31 against Lehigh.