Men’s Soccer Signs Eight to 2021 Roster
7/27/2021 11:41:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The Sacred Heart University men's soccer program has announced the addition of eight student-athletes to the roster for the 2021-22 season.
FAIRFIELD, Conn.- The Sacred Heart University men's soccer program has announced that they will be adding eight student-athletes to the roster for the 2021-22 season.
"We are thrilled to announce the signings of these young men,'' head coach Joe Barroso said. "From a recruitment point of view, what's been key with every signing is knowing what players will bring to the program mentality. Through having strong characters and good people I believe we've done that throughout the entire class."
Albion Bacaj
Hometown: Chappaqua, N.Y.
Club Team: Beachside MLS Next
Position: Defense
About Bacaj:
William Rakkenes
Hometown: Deknepollen, Norway
Club Team: Sogndal FC
Position: Midfield
About Rakkenes:
Kevin Siwik
Hometown: Copiague, N.Y.
Club Team: Lake Grove New-field Dynamite
Position: Goalie
About Siwik:
Etienne Murugarren
Hometown: Ciudad Real, Spain
Club Team: Villaverde San Andres
Position: Defense
About Murugarren:
Nick Kirby
Hometown: Nutley, N.J.
Club Team: NJ Stallions
Position: Defense
About Kirby:
AJ Cirifalco
Hometown: New Canaan, Conn.
Club Team: Beachside MLS Next
Position: Striker
About Cirifalco:
Anthony Pipitone
Hometown: Deerpark, N.Y.
Club Team: Brentwood SC
Position: Forward
About Pipitone:
JP Nunes
Hometown: Campinas, Brazil
Club Team: Escola Americana de Campinas
Position: Defense
About Nunes:
"We are thrilled to announce the signings of these young men,'' head coach Joe Barroso said. "From a recruitment point of view, what's been key with every signing is knowing what players will bring to the program mentality. Through having strong characters and good people I believe we've done that throughout the entire class."
Albion Bacaj
Hometown: Chappaqua, N.Y.
Club Team: Beachside MLS Next
Position: Defense
About Bacaj:
- Captain of the U19 Beachside MLS Next.
- Played for New York Soccer Club in 2018-19 at center back.
- Was slated to play for Kosovo's U17 National Team.
William Rakkenes
Hometown: Deknepollen, Norway
Club Team: Sogndal FC
Position: Midfield
About Rakkenes:
- Helped reach the semifinals of the U19 Norwegian Cup with Sogndal U19.
- Competed in the U19 UEFA Youth Champions League as a midfielder.
Kevin Siwik
Hometown: Copiague, N.Y.
Club Team: Lake Grove New-field Dynamite
Position: Goalie
About Siwik:
- Tallied six saves, one shutout win and averaged 1.5 saves per game in his senior season.
Etienne Murugarren
Hometown: Ciudad Real, Spain
Club Team: Villaverde San Andres
Position: Defense
About Murugarren:
- Captained club team Villaverde San Andres in the Spanish 3rd Division.
- Played in 42 games in his career at Villaverde San Andres at defense.
- Trained at the pro academy of Getafe.
Nick Kirby
Hometown: Nutley, N.J.
Club Team: NJ Stallions
Position: Defense
About Kirby:
- Led his team to a New Jersey State Cup Championship.
- US National Cup Finalist in 2019.
- Two-time First Team All-Conference player.
AJ Cirifalco
Hometown: New Canaan, Conn.
Club Team: Beachside MLS Next
Position: Striker
About Cirifalco:
- Tallied 10 goals and four assists in 23 games with Beachside in 2020-21.
- Led Beachside to qualify for the Dallas Showcase.
Anthony Pipitone
Hometown: Deerpark, N.Y.
Club Team: Brentwood SC
Position: Forward
About Pipitone:
- All-Conference and All-County player.
JP Nunes
Hometown: Campinas, Brazil
Club Team: Escola Americana de Campinas
Position: Defense
About Nunes:
- Played as a defenseman at Escola Americana de Campinas.
- Father currently serves on the coaching staff at Atletico MG in the Brazilian First Division.
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