By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Upper Brookville’s Rachel Nuzzolese had a role in five of the six Wake Forest goals that helped the Demon Deacons advance
to the Atlantic Coast Conference final last week. The team eventually lost the championship game to Florida State in a penalty kick shootout after regulation time ended in a 1-1 tie. The Seminoles won the shootout, 3-1, but Nuzzolese was the only Demon Deacon to score during the shootout. The 19-year-old sophomore had scored two goals and assisted on three others during ACC tournament play.
“Right now Rachel is just hitting her stride and her confidence is building every game,” Wake Forest coach Tony da Luz told Soccer America. “She gives us chances in the run of play, and her dead balls off of corners and set pieces are super dangerous.”
Wake Forest is one of the four Regional seeds in the NCAA Tournament and will host Summit League champions Oakland this Friday.
Growing up on Long Island, Rachel played in the ENYYSA Olympic Development Program from 2003 to 2009. She also competed for Region 1 Premier League champs, the Rockville Centre Tornadoes from the Long Island Junior Soccer League.
“Rachel has wonderful passion for the game and took every opportunity to spend time with the ball she could. Even after Regional and National Team selection, she remained grounded and was always willing to listen and learn,” commented her coach on the Tornadoes, Tim Bradbury.
Nuzzolese also saw extensive time with the United States National Youth Teams, competing for the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-18 squads.