Andrew Anastasio – Sports Writer –
Leading the team in goals, Owls senior forward Mario DiMiceli has propelled Southern out of the gates this season.
DiMiceli leads his team in scoring with four goals.
Growing up in his hometown of Vilers-Le-Bouillet located in Belgium, DiMiceli had the opportunity to play soccer there at the highest level of competition. He said soccer overseas has helped prepare him for the competition he’s currently facing.
“Soccer has different nuances everywhere in the world,” DiMiceli said. “The level of competition is very high here and in Belgium. You can’t walk your way through it. You have to compete.”
While overseas, he was recruited to play American collegiate soccer by Iona College where he played for two seasons. He said he decided to transfer to Southern because of the program’s reputation.
“Southern has an awesome soccer program,” DiMiceli said. “I got to meet [assistant] coach Kelly over the summer because he’s coaching a PDL team, and from there I felt like Southern was the right choice for me. I’m very happy it has paid off.”
In his two seasons with Iona College, DiMiceli scored three goals along with one assist. In his freshman season of 2009, he was named to Second Team All-MAAC and MAAC All-Rookie Team. He followed up being named to the MAAC All-Academic Team in his last season with the team. Lang said what makes him so effective is his scoring mentality.
“He just has a nose for the goal and gets on the end of things,” Lang said. “He misses some every now and then to be fair, but as long as we keep encouraging him to take his opportunities we’ll always feel he will find a way to score.”
Currently this season, DiMiceli has four goals, 11 which have been on goal, and eight total points. Senior mid-fielder Mario Costa said DiMiceli is an all-around great athlete and individual.
“He’s a great guy on and off the field,” Costa said. “Since I’ve been here we haven’t had a goal scorer like this guy. He’s an in and around the box great finisher, and hopefully he keeps this streak going. He’s got speed, he’s athletic, and the way he hits the ball with power is what we need from a center forward.”
Despite putting up the numbers he has, DiMiceli said his teammates are also the ones responsible for his immediate success.
“A goal scorer is nothing without assists from his teammates,” DiMiceli said. “I consider all my goals my teammates goals.”
In the Owl’s home opener against The College of Saint Rose, DiMiceli recorded a three-goal effort to assist Southern in a 4-0 victory. Head coach Tom Lang said it’s important that DiMiceli gets his opportunities.
“He’s like any goal scorer, he needs to get a number of chances to put the ball into the back of the net,” Lang said. “But as long as he keeps working, and we keep trying to create chances then he’ll get his goals.”
DiMiceli is in his last year of NCAA eligibility. He said he hopes to finish his college soccer career on a high note and continue with the sport down the road.
“I honestly want to win a championship,” DiMiceli said. “We have a great atmosphere and that’s something that multiplies the talent on the team. I’m going to do as good as possible for my team, and hopefully make it to the next level.”
