Nashua, N.H. The Rivier University Men's Soccer Program is ready to return to competition after a long pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Raiders have been hard at work rebuilding what was lost in 2019.  5th year, Head Coach Hayden Barbosa had a solid 10 incoming students in 2020 who were expected to come in and make an immediate impact.  However, due to the myriad of challenges the pandemic posed on society, the incoming class and some returners changed their direction. It was at that point Coach Barbosa committed to a new approach and energy through the rebuilding process. 

Barbosa started at the top, hiring 3 talented and dynamic assistant coaches.  Sam Holdsworth '19 was the first to be hired in 2020.  As an alumni and former captain.  Holdsworth knew what the program needed and he hit the recruiting trail on day one.

The Raiders needed a stellar goalkeeper coach so Barbosa called upon a long-time friend and master clinician John Grayson.  Grayson holds several advanced USC coaching diplomas and brings over 35 years of coaching experience to the staff.

The Raiders needed one more experienced Coach to contribute to tactical implementation, recruiting and the general day to day management.  Barbosa discovered Frensis Bako, native of Albania, former Physical Education Teacher and UEFA "A", license holder with 11 years of coaching at virtually all levels.

"Our new coaches are game changers, the three of them bring unique experience and a vast knowledge of the game." says Barbosa.

The Raiders are led by 4 co-captains. Three of which are returning Seniors Mike Federico (Milford, N.H.) James DiGiovanni (Lowell, Mass.) will be found holding down the back line and exercising their leadership and experience.  Senior co-captain Brandon Silva (Dracut, Mass.) will also return to midfield dictating pace and organization. The Raiders also dubbed transfer center back a co-captain after the leadership demonstrated in preseason. Chris Antonelli (Commack, N.Y.) joins us as a former Becker College Falcon where he also led the team as captain. Antonelli will be anchoring the back line. Sporting one of the 4 yellow captain bands.

Other returners include 3 strikers, graduate student, Pedro Campos (Downey, Cali.), senior Pedro Lopez-Montgomery (Methuen, Mass.) and junior Tyler Demaral (Raynham, Mass.) who bring strength and experience to the young squad. Colin Digby also joins the program as a sophomore right back who came out of nowhere back in 2020 and made an impact. 

Antonelli wasn't the only transfer standout!  Walaeddine Hounane joins the Raiders after a season with the Northern Essex Community College Knights.  "Wala" is surely going to bring an excitement to the game. He loves playing and you can see it in his performance." says Barbosa.

"The goalkeeper department is strong!" says Barbosa. Dominic Cunha (Peabody, Mass.) proved his worth last year, however he hasn't been contested. "Cunha has done a tremendous job leading by example."  Freshman Sebastian Lembo (Nutley, N.J.) and Sean Deveau (Harwich Port, Mass.) also join the Raiders as eager and talented net-minders who were selected to All-State teams.

"We have a deep back line." Nashua native Luca Frioni, joins the backline with Matthew Francisco (Marlborough, Mass.) Josh Brown (Dracut, Mass.), Colton Stickland (Lowell, Mass.), Jonathan Rudy (Hudson, N.H.) and Eric Gonzalez (Merrimack, N.H.) and Gavin Buckingham (Southampton, Mass.).

"Our midfield is solid." Two more Nashua High School South grads join the Raider's midfield. Ryan Hadouche and Jose Ochoa both led South to a successful season their senior year.

Other midfielders include Hayden Bilodeau (Windham, N.H.), Tommy Lanzillo (Mansfield, Mass.) Cody Sicard (Salem, N.H.), Jason Harlow (Naples, ME) Braden Dee (W. Townsend, Mass.), Mike DeCarli (Litchfield, N.H.) and Zach Chiasson (Merrimack, N.H.).

Alas, we get to our stellar frontline. "This is a fun and dynamic duo to watch." High School standouts Charlie Hayes (Wethersfield, CT), Cameron Salter (Billerica, Mass.) will pace the Raiders attack.

"We have a deep roster of 30 talented soccer players ready to compete! Can't ask for more than that!" concludes Barbosa.

The first challenge for the Raiders will be against the Saints of Emmanuel College (2-1-0 overall), today at 3:00PM at Roberto Clemente Field in Boston.