Men's Soccer | 8/15/2025 10:00:00 AM
It was more of the same for the York University Lions men's soccer team in 2024.
Led by two-time defending OUA West MVP and reigning Joe Johnson Award winner as U SPORTS men's soccer player of the year Christian Zeppieri, the team won its division for the 16th straight season under head coach Carmine Isacco, made the OUA championship for the 11th time in 12 years and the U SPORTS championships for the 12th time under Isacco. However, while the team earned its first national medal in nine years – a bronze – they also fell short of an OUA title, settling for silver for the fourth straight appearance.
Overall, though, Isacco was pleased with how his team performed.
"There were a lot of positives, but you have to be at your best when you need to be at your best," Isacco said of 2024. "There were thousands of those situations that happened during the year where we were (at our best), and we should concentrate on those."
With Zeppieri returning for a third year and red and white in 2025, Isacco – entering his 19th year as the program's bench boss – is looking forward to seeing how the team comes together as they look to take that next step towards an OUA and, hopefully, national title.
"It's a solid group – a together group," he said. "To get to that next level, there's got to not only be 'solid' and 'together,' but there's got to be 'exceptional,' to get out of the OUA again, because it's going to be a battle."
The Lions performed well in the post-season in 2024, winning four of their six matches across the OUA playoffs and national tournament. However, Isacco knows good isn't good enough – for everyone, including himself – if you're after the ultimate prize.
"We can't be satisfied with a bronze or a final," he said. "There's a lot of variables, that we have to be better at, including my staff and I, but there's a lot of fine details that make that difference."
With the OUA hosting the U SPORTS championships for a second straight year, it could easily take a conference banner to reach nationals, which the Lions will look to earn for the first time since 2018.
"Our goal is to get to nationals and compete for the ultimate title," said Isacco. "It's probably going to take (an OUA) championship to get there, so we've got to be a little more concentrated with a little more attention to detail and fight.
"That's the difference between championships and (silver) medals."
The Lions recruiting class is headlined by striker Anthony Marano, who redshirted with the Rutgers Scarlett Knights of the NCAA in 2024.
"He's going to be an impact player and will be at his best when we need him to be," said Isacco. "We're really looking to him and (returning forward Yigal Bruk) to be important players in our attack."
They are also supplementing their midfield with the addition of Carmine Raviele, a first-year player out of St. Michael's College and the North Toronto Nitros Soccer Club.
"He's a young player, and it's going to take him some time to learn the pace of (the OUA) game," Isacco said, "but when he does, I think he'll be special."
While recruiting was a priority for the Lions, who add 16 new bodies to the fold for 2025, they're looking at internal growth to tackle some of the load vacated by the likes of U SPORTS rookie of the year Luca Accettola, who signed a professional contract with York United F.C. this offseason.
"We're looking at guys like James Fidalgo, Nick Spittle and Matthew Fischer to be impact players for us," Isacco said. "We're also looking at someone like Maverick Wright to play more minutes this year, Alessio Carbone in goal. We're looking for the existing players to make an impact."
Another big loss for the Lions in the midfield is Manveer Gill, who spent one season at York after spending the first four years of his career with the Guelph Gryphons. There are a few young players Isacco is looking at to help fill that void.
Wally Burfield is one player who could step in after redshirting in his rookie season. Another is Nekhi Wright, whose lone appearance came in a 3-1 victory over Algoma on Sept. 22.
As for the team's expectations in 2025, they are simple to say, harder to execute, and yet will be one of the determining factors in how far the team goes.
"Our goal is to be at our best every roll of the ball and don't take any plays off," Isacco said. "If we do those things, and play with humility, integrity and humility, we'll be fine."
The Lions begin their quest to get back to the OUA title game and U SPORTS championships on home turf, Aug. 28 vs. Laurier. You can get your tickets here or you can watch the game free, live on OUA.tv.
