March 8, 2007
Loudonville, N.Y. - The Siena men's soccer program announced the commitment of six student-athletes after receiving National Letters of Intent confirming their decision to attend Siena beginning next fall. Sebastien Anzevui (Tynemouth, England), a 6'1" midfielder, Joe Tempone (New Hyde Park, N.Y.), a 5'11" defenseman, Nicholas Viaggio (Maspeth, N.Y.), a 6'1" defenseman, Joe Tavernese (Garden City, N.Y.), a 5'10" forward, Steve Covino (Bristol, Conn.), a 5'11" midfielder and Steve Skonieczny (LaGrangeville, N.Y.), a 5'11" goaltender, are slated to join the Saints for the 2007 season.
Anzevui, a midfielder from Tynemouth, England, comes to Loudonville most recently from his playing career with Ponteland, F.C. soccer club. Last season, he helped guide Ponteland to win the Northern Alliance League cup and was named the league's Player of the Year. Anzevui had previous experience playing for Sunderland F.C. Academy who is currently a member of the English First Division.
"Sebastien is a very technical central midfielder who has a tireless work rate," said head coach Charlie Curto. "He's a very crafty player who is extremely dangerous around the goal."
Tempone was a four year varsity starter at New Hyde Park High School playing both midfield and defense. He was an All-Conference selection as a sophomore and a junior. Last season, Tempone was named to the All-County team and earned Exceptional Senior Selection honors. He helped guide New Hyde Park to back-to-back conference championships in 2003 and 2004. Tempone was also a four year starter for the Met Oval Brooklyn Knights club team and was named to the 2006 All Empire State Games team.
"Joe is a strong defender with good speed and technical abilities," said Curto. "He has the ability to attack from the back and create goal scoring opportunities."
Viaggio, helped guide Saint John's Prep High School to back-to-back state championships (2005 & 2006) serving as the team captain. From his sophomore through senior year he led the squad in assists. Viaggio also earned All-City honors his junior and senior seasons.
"Nick is a very technical player who doesn't lose possession of the ball. He has good size, is very good in the air, and is expected to have an immediate impact," said Curto.
Tavernese, a forward from Garden City high school, was a four year letterwinner and team captain his senior season. In his last two seasons at Garden City, Tavernese earned All-County honors and was named All-Conference Player of the Year. In his final two seasons, he guided his team to back-to-back conference championship after leading the league in both goals and assists. Tavernese played for the Terryville Fire club team who won the Northeast Region I Premier League. He is also a member of the Long Island Rough Riders who qualified for the North American Finals the last two years.
"Joey is a very quick and athletic forward who possesses explosive ability around the goal with his great finishing ability," Curto explains.
Covino is a four year starter from Bristol Central High School playing at the midfield. He was named team MVP during his junior and senior years, and also served as team captain last season. He was a three time All-Conference selection, earned All-State honors and was an All-New England nominee. As a senior, Covino was voted the top player in the CCC South Conference and second overall in all of the CCC Conferences. Covino has served as the team captain on the AJAX Premier club team for the last five years.
"He is a very skillful and savvy player who can play anywhere in the midfield," said Curto. "Steve reads the game very well and has the uncanny ability to find teammates on the field."
Skonieczny, a goaltender from Arlington High School, led his squad to the 2006 New York State Class AA Championship. He helped Arlington to a perfect 25-0 record after recording 17 shutouts and serving as team captain. In 2006, he was a Section I All-League and All-Section selection. Skonieczny was the team captain of the 2006 Hudson Valley Scholastic Empire Team and was a member of the 2005 silver medal team. Skonieczny is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Athletic Council.
"Steve will be fighting for the starting goalkeeping spot," said Curto. "He is one of the top goalkeepers in the state. Steve is a very technical goalkeeper who has played at high levels including the Olympic Development Program."
The Saints finished the 2006 campaign 3-13-2 overall and 2-6-1 in the MAAC. However, the future does look bright for Siena who returns a talented core of veterans, including senior midfielder Liam Welsh, all of whom will be complimented well by this incoming freshman class. Last season, Welsh started all 18 games for the Saints and earned MAAC All-Second Team honors.
