College signings: 6 more Island athletes will play at the next level

Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

College-bound

By CHARLIE De BIASE JR.

The latest College Signings features Staten Island students that play soccer, lacrosse and football on the next level.

In all, six students will be featured in this segment.

For a look at where the Island's student-athletes are planning to attend college, please scroll down.

(Above, Curtis' Daniel Angulo (white uniform) is one of three Warriors who will play soccer for the College of Staten Island in the fall)

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Courtesy of Cadence Turner

Curtis sending 3 to CSI

Seniors Daniel Angulo, Alexis Moran Navarro and Edgar Trujillo were each key members of the Curtis boys' soccer team that advanced to last fall's PSAL AA championship game and now the trio will move on to the College of Staten Island together.

Angulo and Trujillo were center midfielders and Navarro a center back for the Warriors. They each said they'll likely be playing similar positions for coach John Tardy at CSI.

In addition, the four-year varsity players each like the idea that the Dolphins will soon be a Division 2 college.

"We've been playing with each other since we've been 9-10 years old,'' said the 17-year-old Trujillo, who had 11 goals and 17 assists over the course of his four years with the Warriors. "We're looking forward to (CSI's program) converting to division 2.''

"I'm ecstatic that I'll be playing with those guys another four years,'' added Angulo, who ended his Curtis career with 34 goals and 32 assists. "We've had a connection for so long. We know what each other like to do and I think that helps a lot.''

"We've got great chemistry,'' added the 18-year-old Navarro.

Trujillo and Navarro are both from Port Richmond while Angulo is a St. George resident. The Curtis teammates said Tardy likes what they bring to the Dolphins.

"They're already a good team that I'm looking forward to being a part of,'' said Navarro. "(Coach Tardy) knows me for awhile and he knows I always give it my all.''

"Coach likes how I move to the ball and attack in transition,'' added the 17-year-old Angulo. "I know I have to earn my role on the team.''

Trujillo, who might see time at left wing with CSI, said Tardy likes the fact he's a heady player.

"He likes my soccer IQ,'' Trujillo added. "He also likes the way I view the pitch and that I'm always aggressive.''

Angulo, Navarro and Trujillo each plan to major in accounting.

Angulo and Navarro also drew interest from Medgar Evers while Angulo was also in contact with Poly Tech. Trujillo, meanwhile, drew interest from a trio of SUNY schools, including New Paltz, Plattsburgh and Purchase.

(Above, Curtis boys' soccer coach Cadence Turner is joined by, left to right, Edgar Trujillo, Alexis Navarro Moran and Daniel Angulo after they made their commitment to the College of Staten Island official)

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Courtesy of Richard Bruno

Nicolette Esposito, Sea

St. Joseph by-the-Sea senior Nicolette Esposito will continue her soccer career at DeSales University beginning in the fall.

Esposito, a two-year varsity player for the Vikings, played left fullback last season and said she'll continue to be a defender for the division 3 Bulldogs.

The Tottenville resident said after she discovered the Center Valley, Pa., school had several courses she'd be interested in, she then reached out to women's head soccer coach Greg Ridout.

"I then went to an ID clinic in upstate New York and I got to talk to him further there,'' she said. "He came an saw me play and decided I'd be a good fit for the team and I then went for an official visit.''

The 17-year-old Esposito, who is undecided on a major (she's entered into DeSales' Exploratory Studies Program), said Ridout likes several aspects of her game.

"He likes my speed coming out of the back,'' she said. "And he also likes the fact that's I'm versatile, that I can play anywhere on the field.

"I know it will be different than playing in high school, but I don't think it will be too hard for me to make the adjustment (to the college level).''

Esposito, who plays travel ball for the South Shore Travel Club (S.I.), said she also received interest from the likes of Centenary St., Molloy, Mount St. Mary and Penn St.

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Courtesy of Eric Ritzer

Megan Hourican, Curtis

Curtis senior Megan Hourican recently committed to Utica College, where she plans to continue playing lacrosse.

The West Brighton resident, who's a member of the Staten Island-based DK3 travel program, is a three-year varsity player for the Warriors.

Hourican is a midfielder for Curtis, but said she's open to play any position for the division 3 Pioneers. Her visit to Utica was a positive one that helped her convince it was the right place for her.

"The team dynamics I saw ... the coaches and players are tight-knit and it reminds me of Curtis,'' she said. "They made me feel at home and I saw myself being a part of it.''

Hourican has notched 45 goals and 24 assists over the course of her career so far, including a career-high 27 goals and eight assists in 15 matches this season.

She plans to major in nursing and said Utica coach Kristin St. Hilaire is impressed by the way she always plays with enthusiasm.

"She likes how hard I play and that I always encourage my teammates,'' she said. "I'm excited to play at Utica. I'm not worried about making the adjustment (to college). I can't wait.''

The 17-year-old will joined two former Islanders on Utica's roster, including former Curtis teammate Sinead Bonner (currently a freshman) and former Petrides player Brianna Colley (sophomore).

Hourican said she also drew interest from Scranton and Arcadia.

(Above, Megan Hourican, sitting center, is joined clockwise left, by dad Scott, mom Cheryl, principal Greg Jaenicke and lacrosse coach Christine Lagana after making her commitment official to Utica College)

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Courtesy of Brian Murphy

Anthony Rao, New Dorp

New Dorp senior Anthony Rao will continue his football career in college after committing to Misericordia University.

The 5-foot-10, 240-pound Rao played linebacker and running back for the Central Cougars. He will again play linebacker in college, but will also convert to tight end with the division 3 Cougars.

Rao, who will major in criminal justice, said he was attracted to the Dallas, Pa., school's close-knit community.

"They've only had a team for eight years, so I like that I'll be a part of a program that's still building and just fell in love with the team after meeting the coaches,'' the Oakwood resident said. "I like everything about it.''

The three-year varsity player (two with ND) said the coaching staff liked several things about his game.

"They liked my ability to tackle and play tough,'' he said. "And they think I can be a weapon on offense.

"I'll play wherever they need me, but they want me to try tight end on offense and I'm looking forward to catching passes for them.''

The 17-year-old Rao said he also drew interest from Washington & Jefferson, Geneva and Western New England.

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