Kingston Stockade FC Announces Initial Roster for 2017 Season

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- After holding two rounds of open-tryouts, three rounds of invite-only tryouts, and getting a look at more than 225 players in total, Kingston Stockade FC is proud to announce its initial 33-man roster for the upcoming 2017 season.

The 2017 Stockade roster is a mix of returning players as well as a healthy influx of newcomers, local and beyond. A few figures about the roster for the upcoming season:

• There are 14 returning players on the roster (42% of the roster)
• There are 19 newcomers on the roster (58% of the roster)
• There will be 13 current college players on the roster (eligible to play in the NPSL on May 1)
• There are 10 current Division 1 college players on the roster (30% of the roster)
• 17 of the players are from the Hudson Valley; 4 players come from overseas

Stockade head coach David Lindholm is excited about the start of the season.  "We’re thrilled that these players have decided to join Stockade FC this season. It’s a group capable of playing at a high level while also being great ambassadors for soccer in the Hudson Valley. I want to thank every player that tried out for the team, since they left us with a lot of difficult decisions and allowed us to make the strongest squad possible."

Stockade opens the season on Saturday, May 6 (5 p.m.) at Dietz Stadium against NPSL newcomers Hartford City FC.

Here is a detailed look at the full roster for the upcoming season:

NAME                          POS.     HOMETOWN                          COLLEGE
** = returning                                                                                 * = currently in college
Carillo, Gianni                   GK      Monroe, NY                              Siena
Giddings, David**             GK      Newburgh, NY                          Saint Peter's University
Howe, Lyle                        GK      Coral Springs, FL                      St. Thomas University
Skonieczny,  Steve**        GK      Lagrangeville, NY                      Siena/Marist
Anasta, Matel**                 D        Catskill, NY                                Marist
Barrett, Phil**                   D        Clifton Park, NY                         Siena*
Bogart, Joe**                    D        Hyde Park, NY                            SUNY Plattsburg
Conway, Eamonn             D        Delmar, NY                                 Siena*
Davis, Kevin                       D       Beacon, NY                                 Wheaton
Gatti, Juan**                      D       East Tarrytown, NY                    Mercy
Kappock, Kevin                  D       Howell, NJ                                  Marist*
Kolaj, Nick                          D        Somers, NY                                Baruch
LeClerc, Kyle                      D       Beacon, NY                                 Sage
Lis-Simmons, Jamal**       D       Highland, NY                               SUNY New Paltz
Mitchell, Ernest                 D       Montclair, NJ                               Marist*
Steigerwald, Tom**           D       Salt Point, NY                              
Alvarado, Daniel                M       Santa Barbara, Costa Rica         Dominican
Koziol, Matt**                     M      Poughkeepsie, NY                       RPI
Macklin, Ross**                  M      Henneker, NH                              Vassar
Lanzetta, Mikey                 M       Somers, NY                                  SUNY Cortland (committed)
Nittolo, Mike                      M      Poughkeepsie, NY    
Corbi, Mike                         M      Hopewell Junction, NY               St. Thomas Aquinas
Konicoff, Mike                    M      Montebello, NY                            Boston College
Curtis, Brandon                 M      West Haverstraw, NY                   Marist*
Persampieri, Alessandro   M      Tuckahoe, NY                               Concordia College
Guirma, Victor                   M       New Paltz, NY                              Howard*
Kloster, Marco                    M      Curitiba, Brazil                              Siena*
Creswick, Michael**            F      Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England  York St. John University
Zobre, Scott**                     F       Poughkeepsie, NY                        Binghamton
Fortier, Eric**                      F       Pleasant Valley, NY                       SUNY Oneonta
Jeter, Bruce                         F      Monroe, NY                                   Marist*
Siriboe, David                      F      Poughkeepsie, NY                         Marist*
Curto, Paolino**                  F      Niskayuna, NY                                Siena*

Kingston Stockade Football Club is a men's semi-professional soccer team based in Kingston, N.Y. Stockade FC represents the Hudson Valley in the NPSL, which is the 4th division of the U.S. soccer pyramid. For more information on Kingston Stockade FC, visit http://stockadefc.com. You can also follow the club on both Twitter and Instagram at @StockadeFC and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stockadefc

Kingston Stockade FC Announces Technical Staff; Rory Becker and Chuck Wilder Returning for 2017, Ben Walsh Joins Staff as Assistant

Kingston Stockade FC head coach David Lindholm has announced his technical staff for the 2017 season, with Rory Becker and Ben Walsh serving as assistant coaches and Chuck Wilder remaining the club’s goalkeeper coach.

“I’m delighted to have such an experienced, dedicated staff working with the team this season,” said Lindholm. “Rory and Chuck have an intimate understanding of the club in addition to their considerable coaching knowledge, and Ben brings a valuable new perspective to our group. All have experience with soccer here in the Hudson Valley and are committed to helping this club continue to develop and succeed.”

Becker was the assistant for Stockade in 2016, and has spent his career working at various levels of Hudson Valley soccer. He spent six years as an assistant with SUNY New Paltz and five years as an Olympic Development Program coach, and owns the USSF A License coaching certification. A two-time state champion at Highland High School, Becker also played at Ithaca College and with the German Hungarian Metros in Queens. Currently he is the New York State Section 9 boys soccer coordinator.

Wilder will return as the club’s goalkeeper coach for a second season, bringing extensive experience as both a coach and player. A coach at the professional level with the Rockland Glaciers of the PDL and New York Fever of the A-League, Wilder also played professionally for the Tucson Amigos, Albany Alleycats and the New York Fever during his career. He currently serves as the goalkeeper coach for Vassar College, where he has been since 2008, and he possesses his USSF C License.

New to the staff in 2017 is Ben Walsh, a graduate of Carleton College, where he was a four-year starting midfielder and helped the team to three MIAC titles and two NCAA tournament appearances. Since graduating, Walsh has worked as high school coach, leading Forman School to a Hudson Valley Athletic League championship in 2014 and recently completing his first season as the head coach at Salisbury School (Conn.). He has also earned the National Diploma coaching license from the NSCAA.

Tryouts for Stockade FC begin with an "invite only" session this Saturday February 25.  The team will hold five different tryout sessions total, including two that are open to the public on Saturday March 4 and Sunday March 5.  For more information, or to register for tryouts, please visit http://www.stockadefc.com/tryouts.

Kingston Stockade Football Club is a men's semi-professional soccer team based in Kingston, N.Y. Stockade FC represents the Hudson Valley in the NPSL, which is the 4th division of the U.S. soccer pyramid. For more information on Kingston Stockade FC, visit http://stockadefc.com. You can also follow the club on both Twitter and Instagram at @StockadeFC and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stockadefc

Kingston Stockade FC to Hold Open Tryouts on Weekend of March 4-5; Interested Players Must Register Online

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- In an effort to continue to promote the beautiful game in the Hudson Valley, Kingston Stockade FC will be holding its second-annual open tryouts next month.

On Saturday, March 4 (9am-2pm) and Sunday, March 5 (9am-2pm) at Dietz Stadium, Stockade will hold open tryouts for all local players whom believe they're capable of playing semi-pro soccer.

Players interested in trying out for a spot on the team MUST REGISTER at http://www.stockadefc.com/tryouts before showing up. Players that don't pre-register will not be allowed to take the pitch.

Tryouts are open to fans and media too -- free of charge, no tickets required -- and Stockade merchandise will be on sale as well.

Stockade founder Dennis Crowley is excited to continue to give local products a chance to strut their stuff in front of the Stockade coaches and local fans as well.

"Last year's tryout was well attended, and we found some great players as well," said Crowley. "We're really excited to do it again this year and build a stronger connection to Hudson Valley soccer players and fans."

New head coach David Lindholm will be overseeing the tryouts.

Players can e-mail tryouts@stockadefc.com with any additional questions.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

Kingston Stockade FC Hires David Lindholm as New Head Coach

David Lindholm joins Kingston Stockade as the club's new head coach.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC GM

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Kingston Stockade FC is proud to announce that they have hired David Lindholm, a coach at Bard College who has worked at every level of American soccer, to take over as head coach of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) club.

Lindholm takes over for ex-head coach George Vizvary, who was the first head coach in club history. Vizvary led the club to a 5-3-8 (wins-draws-losses) record in its inaugural season, including an impressive 5-0-3 home record.

Club chairman Dennis Crowley expressed excitement at the new hire.

"Stockade would like to thank Coach Vizvary for all his great work in building a strong foundation for our club," said Crowley. "We're excited about Coach Lindholm building on top of that foundation and think he's the perfect person to continue our tradition of connecting with the club and the community while putting a great product out on the pitch."

Lindholm was also excited about his opportunity to take the reins with the Kingston club.

"This club has done amazing things in a short time, and it is an honor to have been given this opportunity," said Lindholm. "I would like to thank Dennis and the entire Stockade staff for putting their faith in me, and I look forward to a great season."

Prior to joining Bard as an assistant coach in the summer of 2016, Lindholm coached at both the Division I level (University of Massachusetts) and Division III (Western New England University, Middlebury College), winning a National Championship with Middlebury in 2007.

From 2008-2014, Lindholm held positions in the front offices of Chivas USA and the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. Lindholm was the Director of Media Relations for the Rapids, and has worked closely with esteemed professional coaches like Preki, Robin Fraser, Gary Smith and Pablo Mastroeni.

Lindholm graduated from Middlebury College in 2005, and was a goalkeeper at Middlebury from 2001-2004. He then played two seasons of semi-professional soccer with the Vermont Voltage of the Premier Development League.

Stockade FC will be holding open tryouts again this year in March. Please email tryouts@stockadefc.com if you are interested in getting more information about the tryouts.

Kingston Stockade Football Club is a men's semi-professional soccer team based in Kingston, N.Y. Stockade FC represents the Hudson Valley in the NPSL, which is the 4th division of the U.S. soccer pyramid. For more information on Kingston Stockade FC, visit http://stockadefc.com. You can also follow the club on both Twitter and Instagram at @StockadeFC and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stockadefc

Kingston Stockade FC's Dylan Williams Signs Professional Contract in Australia; Matel Anasta and Matt Koziol Represent Stockade at NPSL Player Showcase

Dylan Williams signed a contract to play professionally in Tasmania.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- It might be the offseason, but the wins keep rolling in for Kingston Stockade FC and the club's players. And on an international scale, no less.

The first bit of exciting news: attacking midfielder Dylan Williams has officially signed a professional contract with Australian club Launceston City FC. Williams will head to Australia in January on a one-year contract after emerging as one of Stockade's standout players in its inaugural season. 

Meanwhile, as Williams was shoring up his future abroad, two more Stockade standouts looked to improve their domestic standing, as Matel Anasta and Matt Koziol took place in the 2017 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Player Showcase from Jan. 7-9 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, home stadium for the Los Angeles Galaxy. 

Organized as a four-team tournament, with players broken up by region -- West, South, Northeast and Midwest -- the NPSL Player Showcase is a chance for top, young NPSL players to display their abilities in front of professional coaches and scouts, and has led to professional contracts for a handful of players in the past. Anasta and Koziol played for the Northeast team in the Showcase, but their side bowed out to the Midwest on Sunday. Regardless, it remains to be seen if either player will garner interest from scouts in attendance.

Anasta (L) and Koziol (R) recently went to L.A. to play in front of professional scouts and coaches.

Williams' own professional future looks to be secure for at least the next year, however, and the 23-year-old SUNY Oneonta product credited Kingston Stockade FC with his continued development after finishing his college career.

"Playing with Stockade confirmed my desire to continue my soccer career and and play professionally," said Williams. "It consistently tested my ability against a higher level of competition and really helped me grow as a player and center midfielder."

For Stockade founder Dennis Crowley, advancing the careers of young players like Williams was one of the reasons the club was founded.

"We're certainly going to miss Dylan on the pitch, but we couldn't be any happier for him," said Crowley. "Stockade will continue to do all it can to continue to promote and showcase young talents from the Hudson Valley area."

Williams, in turn, sees bright things for the Kingston side due to the impressive club culture.

"The guys at Stockade are nothing but class and I know big things are coming," said Williams. "I want to thank everyone there for giving me my start and pushing me to get better throughout the year."

Williams, who played as an attacking midfielder for Stockade, scored 3 goals and had 5 assists in the 2016 season. Prior to that he was a two-time All-American at SUNY Oneonta.

Williams' new club, Launceston City, is based in Launceston, Tasmania and plays in the NPL Tasmania, an eight-team league that falls within Australia's second tier. Nicknamed "Juventus," Launceston City finished 5th in the league in 2016. 

"Juve" plays in the 1,000-seat Mitsubishi Park stadium, located in Prospect, Tasmania.

Kingston Stockade FC Wins Final Home Match of Season in Style by Topping Seacoast Mariners

Stockade players applaud the record home crowd after Sunday's win (photo by Nick Hoffay)

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager; match analysis provided by Dan Hoffay

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- In the final home match of the season, the hosts paid tribute to their local fans in fitting fashion.

Playing in front of a season-high 936 fans, Kingston Stockade FC topped Seacoast Mariners, 4-0, at Dietz Stadium on Sunday.

Dylan Williams opened the scoring for Stockade FC in the 40th minute with a second-effort off a corner kick that was redirected by a defender.

Then in the 75th minute, Joe Bogart played a lovely swinging cross from the right side that Ant Barone volleyed into the back of the net.

Stockade FC continued the pressure, as Patrick Alvarez drove a cross in that was redirected by a Seacoast defender for an own goal in the 87th minute.

Alvarez completed the scoring in the 90th minute. Barone played a gorgeous through ball that Alvarez brought down on his chest and volleyed in to the near post top corner from 20 yards out. This flattering 4-0 scoreline to Stockade was how the day finished for the Kingston club.

Williams, Michael Creswick and Tyler Vona did a great job locking down the midfield for Stockade. Paulino Curto and Daniel Cortez also provided spark off the bench out wide. Alvarez was also able to create problems for the Seacoast defense after subbing on, and Barone also went a long way in changing the complexion of the game when he came on.

David Giddings put forth a very solid effort in goal, while the back four of Bogart, Jamal Lis-Simmons, Phil Barrett and Jeff Paine all went 90 minutes in the shutout win.

Kingston's final two matches are both on the road next weekend. Stockade FC visits New York Athletic Club on Saturday, July 9 at 4 p.m. ET, followed by a visit to the New York Cosmos on Sunday, July 10 at 11 a.m. ET.

Kingston Stockade FC Loses to Brooklyn Italians at Dietz Stadium

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- The second-to-last home match of the season didn't go quite as Kingston Stockade FC might've hoped, despite a game effort by the home side.

In a hard-fought match on Sunday, Stockade FC fell to Brooklyn Italians, 2-1, at Dietz Stadium.

Italians went up 1-0 in the 28th minute to unsettle the home side so soon after their impressive 6-1 drubbing of Seacoast United Phantoms on Saturday afternoon.

Stockade fought back, however, and leveled the match off of a gutsy diving goal from Corey Phillips in the 45th minute. The goal can be seen on Stockade defender Tommy Steigerwald's Instagram account here.

Italians, however, were able to score the final and deciding goal of the match in the second half to see out a 2-1 road win.

The home side was well supported, however, as an impressive 780 fans showed up to cheer on the Hudson Valley squad.

Stockade's next match will be on Sunday, July 3 at 4 p.m. ET at Dietz Stadium against Seacoast United Mariners. The game represents the final home match of the season for Stockade.

The loss leaves Kingston with a 4-2-7 record (wins-draws-losses).

Kingston Stockade FC Wins, 6-1, Over Seacoast United Phantoms

Hat-trick hero Michael Creswick does a post-match interview after Stockade FC's lopsided win.

By Randy Kim, Kingston Stockade FC General Manager

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- After six straight matches without a win, Kingston Stockade FC managed to right the ship in style.

Playing against a shorthanded side, Stockade FC managed goals aplenty in a 6-1 home win over Seacoast United Phantoms.

Phantoms showed up to Dietz Stadium with just nine players in uniform, a situation that Kingston was quick to take advantage of, much to the delight of the 509 home fans in attendance.

Stockade FC opened the scoring in the 16th minute, thanks to a fine finish from forward Corey Phillips.

Phantoms countered immediately, however, due to a combination of tricky dribbling and some lax defending on the part of the home side. Vincent Gonzalez placed the ball in the back of the net in the 17th minute, leveling the match at 1-1.

But from there it was all Stockade.

Matt Koziol scored the second goal of the day for the hosts with a beautiful spot kick that ricocheted purposefully off the goalpost before going in. Koziol's goal made it 2-1 for Stockade, a scoreline that held until the half.

Unfortunately Koziol himself didn't make it to halftime, subbing off in the first half with an apparent hamstring injury.

And then from the midpoint on, it became the Michael Creswick show.

Creswick scored an extremely impressive second-half hat-trick -- the first in Stockade FC history -- using an array of looping headers and curling shots from distance. The Newcastle, England native was too much for Phantoms to handle, and put the match well out of reach for the short-sided visitors.

With the three goals in the 46th, 87th and 90th minutes, the former NPSL Player of the Week now has nine goals on the season to go along with five assists in just 12 matches.

Anthony Barone completed the scoring for Stockade in the 84th minute, scoring his first goal of the season after seeing his season delayed due to a preseason injury.

The 6-1 victory lifts Stockade over Phantoms into sixth place in the Northeast: Atlantic Conference of the NPSL with a 4-2-6 record (wins-draws-losses). The margin of victory also lifts Kingston to an impressive +2 goal differential on the season.

Stockade FC's next match is on Sunday against Brooklyn Italians at 5 p.m. ET at Dietz Stadium.

Below are all of the Stockade goals, courtesy of @ivanlajara.

.@stockade's first goal on the first half#KSFCvSUP pic.twitter.com/3edfy4jwit

— Ivan Lajara (@ivanlajara) June 25, 2016

Then came a PK goal by @StockadeFC #KSFCvSUP pic.twitter.com/4pJfA6XEQ6

— Ivan Lajara (@ivanlajara) June 25, 2016

Then this beautiful @StockadeFC puppy at the very start of the second half. 3-1 #KSFCvSUP pic.twitter.com/ECYLKIrpU0

— Ivan Lajara (@ivanlajara) June 25, 2016

And then @StockadeFC gets the 4-1

(but wait. There's more) pic.twitter.com/busHnXrl0o

— Ivan Lajara (@ivanlajara) June 25, 2016

The 5-1 @StockadeFC goal was another amazeball pic.twitter.com/LbmS6jxBGK

— Ivan Lajara (@ivanlajara) June 25, 2016

The finisher.
6-1 on the 90th. @StockadeFC vs. Seacoast United Phantoms pic.twitter.com/MOh5SPRmSu

— Ivan Lajara (@ivanlajara) June 25, 2016

Kingston Stockade FC Starting XI: Giddings; Barrett, Liz-Simmons, Koziol, Bogart; Anasta, Fortier, Williams, Tropeano; Phillips, Creswick