STANDISH, Maine – Head Coach Will Pike '11 is pleased to announce the men's soccer Class of 2023.
Coach Pike, who is about to begin his first year as the Monks' skipper, has brought in six players – two defenders, two midfielders, a forward and a goalkeeper - from four different states. The 2023 class will be asked to help fill the open roles left by the 2019 graduates, which featured eight players – including six starters and two All-Americans in defender Dalton Gaumer (Corona, Calif.) and goalkeeper Blake Mullen (Manchester, Conn.).
"The class we have coming in is strong and athletic," adds Coach Pike. "Each player has the ability to make an impact and push the upperclassman for playing time immediately."
Last year's senior class helped elevate the SJC men's soccer program to previously unseen levels, the Monks post an incredible 66-10-9 (.777) overall record, including a 33-3-2 (.868) mark in conference play, with three GNAC Championships over the last four seasons.
The SJC men's soccer team registered another historic season last fall setting program records for wins (21), winning streak (21), goals (81), assists (64), points (226), and shots (513) and, with a loss to Amherst College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, saw a 42-game undefeated streak – the fifth-longest in NCAA DIII Men's Soccer history – come to a close.
Saint Joseph's is the only New England NCAA DIII Men's Soccer program – and one of just seven in the country – to advance to the second round of the national tournament in each of the last three seasons. Since 2016, the Monks rank fifth in NCAA DIII Men's Soccer in total wins (55) and winning percentage (.833).
Ranked as high as fifth and eighth in the 2018 D3soccer.com and United Soccer Coaches polls, respectively, the Monks capped the season ranked 14th and 19th.
MEN'S SOCCER CLASS OF 2023
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Henok Citenga Why Saint Joseph's? It had an atmosphere that really connected with me when I visited the campus and to me being able to connect to the school and the people that work there is a key factor. High School: Participated in soccer and indoor and outdoor track at Lewiston High School…As a senior, named to the Regional All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Northern Maine State Team, and Northern Maine Class A State Team…Also garnered All-New England and earned the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce Presidents Award - Auburn Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame…Helped his team win the 2017 and 2018 State Championships…Listed on the 2019 Second Honor Roll…Played club for Seacoast United for one season and GPS for one season. Community Service: Soccer Camp with children during the summer Personal: Henok Kongolo Citenga, son of Christine Citenga. |
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Niko DeCola Why Saint Joseph's? Soccer High School: Played soccer and hockey at Mahopac High School…Three-time All-League, three-time All-Section, three-time MVP, and three-time Offensive MVP…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll…Played club for Quickstrike. Personal: Niko DeCola, son of Mishel and Rich DeCola…Has two siblings, Gionna and Madison. |
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Tomás Griffin Why Saint Joseph's? I chose Saint Josephs for its small school environment, quality of education, and the highly ranked soccer program. High School: Played soccer and baseball at Belmont High School…Selected as a Middlesex League All-Star and named as the Boston Globe Player of the Week on September 17th, 2018…Named as the 'Man of the Match' nine times during the 2018 season…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll…Played for the Black Knights futsal club for 10 years, with eight league titles, a Northeast Regional Championship, and a National Semifinalist effort…Played for Valeo FC for six years with a league championship and numerous tournament titles…Also played for AFC for two years and won the league and the Cape Cod Tournament…Played Gaeilc Football/ Irish Football and was picked for the All-Star team. Community Service: Helped perform maintenance work at a community complex and taught kids how to play Irish sport. Personal: Tomás Josef Griffin, son of Gráinne and John Griffin…Has three siblings, Colm, Brian, and Seán. |
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Mardoche Kikobo Why Saint Joseph's? Because of the high education and the soccer team. High School: Played soccer at Lewiston High School…Claimed All-State, All-Conference, All-Region, Defensive Player of the Year (2017), and team MVP honors…Named to the Class A North All-Star Team…Helped lead his team to a pair of State Championships…Played club for GPS Phoenix for one year and Lewiston All-Stars for three years. Personal: Mardoche Kikobo Mungudi, son of Jennifer Wiener Smith…Has five siblings, Prisca, Michele, Eli, Hazel, and Isabel. |
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Alec Kosinski Why Saint Joseph's? Saint Joseph's is a match both academically and athletically for me. High School: Played soccer and lacrosse at East Lyme High School…Earned First Team All-State honors his junior and senior years…Three-time All-Conference and All-Area Team selection…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll all four years…Played for Southeast Soccer Club for eight years. Community Service: Care and Share of East Lyme Volunteer, "I Can Bike" Volunteer. Personal: Alec Joseph Kosinski, son of Pamela and Robert Kosinski. |
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Henry Melville Why Saint Joseph's? To play soccer and go to the national tournament. Also, to continue my education at a high level. High School: Played soccer at Greely High School…Selected as a team captain his senior year…Listed on the President's Honor Roll and member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Personal: Henry Gabriel Melville, son of Lisa and David Melville…Has five siblings, Aidan, Nick, Jeff, John and Steve. |
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