October
2005 - It's 9 o'clock in the morning, and Assumption College Senior
Captain and soccer forward Andrea Marcoccio is relaxing and mentally preparing
for her team's most important game of the young season later in the day.
The Lady Greyhounds will face off against UMass Lowell in a game that
Marcoccio and her coach Neil Stafford refer to as “…a game
that will define their team as an Division II soccer powerhouse.”"All of our hard work will go down the drain if we don't take care of business today," Marcoccio bluntly states.
After having the best season ever in Greyhounds soccer last year, it’s no surprise that the Assumption College Women's Soccer program is continuing its fine play into the 2005 season. The Greyhounds sailed through September, remaining unbeaten and untied in their 6 games this season, including 4 conference games. After 3 straight road wins over nationally ranked competition (No. 24 New Haven, No. 2 Franklin Pierce, and American International), Assumption has found itself sitting No. 4 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II National Poll, and No.1 in New England. Marcoccio has consistently played a major part in securing this ranking.
"Thirteenth was the highest ranking in school history, then we went to ninth and now fourth,"
said Stafford. "We smashed 2 school records in 2 weeks. That's pretty exciting."
Marcoccio, whose two goals (including the game winner with 36 seconds left) helped Assumption beat undefeated Franklin Pierce College 3-2 on September14, leads the Northeast-10 Conference with 3
game-winning goals and was named the ECAC New England Player of the Week (September 20). But according to Stafford, it is her leadership qualities that have brought the team to where they are today.
"Andrea had a really great experience as a Junior Captain last year with Ali Reyell. Her maturity and ability to lead has set the tone on and off the field," said Stafford. "Her fitness and technical, tactical, and mental strength make her the complete player." Marcoccio is fourth in school history in career goals (31), assists (24) and points (86). She is on track to being just the second 100-point producer in Hounds' history (Stephanie Martin, 1996-99, had 120 points). But Marcoccio says stats like these are never on her mind. "Only when they are brought up in an article am I reminded of them. What we are doing is more about the team and getting the win," she said. "It's not about the individual, every player makes a difference, no matter what her role is."
Marcoccio doesn't even consider her role of Captain to be any different than the next player's job. "My teammates give me a lot more at times. I'm here to give them encouragement and motivation, but I learn from them as much as they learn from a Captain."
It is of this selfless, team-first philosophy (you know, Patriots and Red Sox style) that Stafford and\ Marcoccio are most proud. "They have totally bought into an environment they truly believe in. I think man or woman, this is about athletes who believe in something. It is unique to see a team expect so much of each other." Marcoccio also thinks of what the team is doing as
genderless. "This isn't about proving someone wrong or trying to break a stereotype, we just win for us."
And there is more winning to be done. The captain said that the team is only four conference games into a long season, and the team is trying to stay focused and not get ahead of itself. Stafford tells his players to live in the moment, take one game at a time, and to keep everything in perspective.
Which brings Marcoccio to her mental preparation before the big game. She's not thinking about tomorrow or her post-graduation plans. "I'm too young to know right now. All I'm thinking about is playing this afternoon and enjoying this moment."