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09/15/2016 12:00 AMSteven Pugliese has always played with passion on the soccer field and that passion helped him earn a spot on the varsity squad for North Haven boys’ soccer as a freshman. Now a senior, Steven has earned the chance to display his character in an even grander form.
After gaining experience in the South Central Premier program, Steven saw some varsity action at the stopper position in his freshman year with the Indians. Steven then developed into an outside back and, following a strong junior campaign last fall, he earned the rank of captain for North Haven this season.
“It’s really a great honor to be named captain. I remember seeing my teammates before me as captain and, to be able to lead my teammates in my last ride here, it’s exciting,” says Steven. “It’s also great to do it under [Head Coach Federico Fiondella] because he puts a lot of respect on that title of captain. I’m proud to be a captain here.”
Steven didn’t get that much playing time during his freshman season, but his experience of being a varsity letterman as a rookie still proved highly beneficial. It gave Steven the chance to study the high school game and also boosted his confidence for his future forays on the field.
“I didn’t get a lot of playing time as a freshman, which I expected, but it was huge and meant a lot to me to be on varsity. I felt like it meant I could play with the best,” Steven says. “Sophomore year, I got the confidence to get that starting spot and then I knew I could get the experience that got me to where I am now.”
In evaluating himself as a captain, Steven says that he loves to speak up when the time is right and is never too shy to lend a helping hand to any of his teammates.
“I like to talk a lot out there. I get on my teammates and also myself when I make a mistake. But I make sure to use constructive criticism,” says Steven. “We had someone make a mistake in goal recently at a [preseason jamboree], but I made sure to help him. You just have to keep going and fighting.”
Coach Fiondella is quick to sing Steven’s praises as a leader, an athlete, and an overall person based on the pride that Steven displays while representing North Haven.
“Steve is what I would consider a very loyal and passionate member and leader of our team. Along with co-captain Matt Iovanne, Steve has done a tremendous job of leading the team. He is a respectful young man and wears the North Haven jersey with tremendous pride,” Fiondella says. “This year, I have noticed a great amount of improvement in all areas of his game and he will be a force to reckon with in the back line. I’m very proud of him for all of his achievements and overall improvement.”
Steven has always hit the pitch with a desire to make sure that no ball or opponent gets by him. Along the way, he’s become a student of the game who’s constantly observing his adversary’s tendencies.
“I just go out there with the confidence and attitude that no one will get by me. I’m also confident to make passes and, now I’m in the midfield more, so I have the chance to bring the ball up,” Steven says. “I look at the player’s body language. I watch their eyes and how they position themselves. I then try to step up and intercept the ball.”
Steven will be playing with a heavy heart this fall as he’s dedicated his entire senior season to his grandfather Rocco, who passed away in July. In terms of his team’s prospects for the campaign, Steven wants the Indians to use their youth as a springboard for success, instead of a crutch.
“This team has a lot of potential. We are a very hungry team with a lot of sophomores and juniors. Being young won’t be an excuse, though,” says Steven, who thanks his grandfather and his father Jim, along with all of his current and former soccer coaches. “Going in, our goals are to compete in our division, make some noise and, hopefully, get back to states. We want to put North Haven soccer back on the map.”