Terrier Sports
Men’s Soccer Developing into the NEC’S Next Dynasty
L
ed by Northeast Conference Coach of the Year Tom Giovatto,
the men’s soccer team captured their third NEC championship
in the past four seasons. Making the accomplishment more
memorable was that fact that the Red & Blue hoisted the trophy for
the first time on their home turf at Brooklyn Bridge Park after defeating
Saint Francis U. in penalty kicks last November.
The Terriers set a new league record by not allowing a single goal
in NEC contests. The team went on to battle Dartmouth in the NCAA
College Cup, coming up just short as they fell in the closing moments
of double-overtime, 1-0.
Three Terriers earned National Soccer Coaches of America All
Northeast Region Team honors at the conclusion of the season.
Defender Collyns Laokandi ’18 was selected to the First Team while
forward Yussuf Olajide ’17 and defender Dominick Falanga ’18 were
named to the Second Team.
Laokandi, who was named the Northeast Conference and ECAC
Defensive Player of the Year led a stingy defensive unit that ranked 12th
nationally in goals against average (0.65) during the regular season.
Olajide and Falanga tied for the team lead with 12 points last season.
Olajide scored a team-high six goals, five of which were game-winners.
Falanga recorded three goals and had a team-high six assists.
Faouzi Taieb ’20 became the first Terrier since Kevin Correa in 2012
and seventh overall to claim the NEC Rookie of the Year Award.
Salvatore Barone ’17 (First Team All Northeast Conference), Roberto
Bazzichetto ’18 (First Team All Northeast Conference) and Fabian
Suele ’17 (Second Team All Northeast Conference) also earned
post-season accolades. ●
Don’t miss Men’s Soccer first home game, Tuesday August 29th at 7pm
vs. Lafayette under the bright lights of NYC at Pier 5 in Brooklyn.
Gerard Leaves Lasting Legacy
on Volleyball Court
S
enior outside hitter Domenique Gerard ’17 was named to the
Second Team All Northeast Conference squad for the second
consecutive year. She is the first Terrier to be named to the
All-Conference Team in successive seasons.
The native of Newark, New Jersey finished her career with a school
record 1,026 kills. She ranked 7th in the NEC in 2016 with 2.76 kills
per game and was 9th with 0.29 service aces per game.
“I want my teammates to experience winning because they have a
whole career ahead of them,” Gerard said. “The freshmen have all
told me at least once this season, ‘I want to be a player like you. You
play with so much confidence.’ That’s what I came here for originally,
to make a difference.” ●
Domenique Gerard ’17
ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE TERRIER | SUMMER 2017 | 7