Stefano Frantellizzi left the Binghamton men’s soccer team the weekend of Oct. 27, leaving just two goalkeepers remaining on the Bearcat roster. The junior is reported to have quit the team due to personal reasons, with head coach Paul Marco insisting that neither misconduct nor attitude was a factor in the decision.
Marco told Pipe Dream that the decision to leave was entirely Frantellizzi’s. While the team is “a little bit less” without him, Marco said Frantellizzi had multiple reasons to leave the team and that he supports the decision.
Frantellizzi was the team’s exclusive keeper in the 2013 season. Through 1839:11 minutes and 19 games of play, the then-sophomore standout collected 106 saves, at 5.58 per game. Those statistics garnered him the distinction of ranking 12th nationally in saves per game, 21st in save percentage (.822) and eighth in total saves. He additionally recorded six solo shutouts last season and set program-bests in most saves in a single season and most saves in a game (with 12 against Columbia on Oct. 23). Perhaps the most impressive of those shutouts was when he and his defense staved off then-No. 7 UMBC for a scoreless tie on Oct. 26.
For all that, Frantellizzi took the field in just four of the eight games Binghamton played while he was still on the team.
Sophomore keeper Robert Moewes, who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, has been BU’s primary keeper in 2014. The German goalie suffered a foot injury that precluded him from participating in those four games Frantellizzi started, but has been active in the past four.
While players leaving teams is rare, it does happen – only, usually at the end of the season. Down to two keepers in the middle of the season – one of whom is not entirely healthy – the team will have to persevere through the next seven regular-season games, at least.
“Obviously, there’s always pressure,” Moewes said. “But you have to deal with that.”
“I think that the guys realize that a little more is now required and hopefully this can ignite the guys a little bit,” Marco said. “I think it’s also a time of opportunity for some, Brian [LoTempio] being one of them.”
Redshirt-sophomore keeper Brian LoTempio, who joined the team in the same year as Frantellizzi, was actually chosen for the No. 2 spot behind senior Chris Hayen in the 2012 season, Marco explained. But a broken wrist forced a medical redshirt season, and lingering knee and wrist injuries have prevented the third-year from participating in any official games during his time at Binghamton. Now that LoTempio is allegedly back to 100 percent health, Marco is confident in his potential.
“Brian has had a very good fall season so far – he’s looked as sharp as I’ve ever seen him,” the head coach said. “Without hesitation, obviously, if Robert goes down, Brian goes right in,” he added.
While the Bearcats will now face additional difficulties in the net, Marco said he would not be bringing in a new keeper at this point in the season. Though they planned to bring in a goalie for the class of 2017 – whom they’ve already identified – they will now need to bring someone else in for the class of 2016.
Updated on Oct. 7.