TRAVEL COACHING STRUCTURE
We are excited to announce our Spring 2020 coaching lineup.
U6-U7
Division Head: Andrew Schuck…Andrew is a veteran coach at RYS whose passion for the game, kindness, and patience make him an ideal leader for our youngest age groups. In this role, Andrew works closely with Chris Skelton to develop a curriculum to guide U6 and U7 parent coaches on Saturday mornings. Andrew and Chris have also worked together to develop a curriculum for our staff coaches to implement with our U7 players on Mondays.
U8-U10
Division Head: Chris Skelton…With a crew of 7 staff coaches, Chris will lead both the Saturday U8 sessions and the Friday U8 sessions. In addition. Chris will also be in charge of the 17 teams in our U9/U10 boys' and girls' age groups. Longtime RYS favorite Adriano Torriani, who brings both passion and a desire to teach the technical nuances of the sport, will again work within this age division. Joining the age group is Mike da Fonte, an Ossining native and professional soccer player. Mike’s most recent professional playing experience came in 2019 in the USL with Phoenix Rising. Prior to that he played center back for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer. Ricardo Eugenio, who has earned a reputation as an energetic and personable youth soccer coach and personal trainer, will again coach multiple teams within the age group. Colin Moses, a veteran of RYS, returns for another season to the U9-U10 team. Colin is highly regarded for his creativity, engaging and age-appropriate games, and loyalty to the club. Colin has over 15 years of coaching experience, highlighted by more than 8 years with Rye Youth Soccer and several years with Noga Soccer (UK Elite). In addition, he has also coached at Resurrection and Rye Country Day School. His playing career included stints with Long Island University CW Post and Swiss semiprofessional side FC Paradiso. He was also fortunate enough to work briefly with AC Milan as an assistant to the first team coaches--including decorated former AC Milan and Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri. Rounding out the coaching team is Tony Asante, a former star player at Syracuse University who continues to play for Elm City FC in New Haven. As a youth coach, Tony joined RYS in September 2019 and has earned a sterling reputation coaching player in a wide range of age groups.
U11-U12
Division Head:
Also returning is longtime RYS coach Adrian Ciocoiu. Since starting as an assistant boys’ varsity soccer coach at Rye HS in 2003, Adrian has held multiple roles in the Rye community—head JV coach at both Rye and Rye Neck, assistant Varsity track and field coach at Rye, and Rye City School District food services employee. As a youth soccer coach, Adrian has earned respect from players and families for his tireless commitment to his players. Adrian’s passion for the sport is also on display in his long-time commitment to organizing adult soccer for countless Rye residents and RYS parents.
Mike da Fonte, an Ossining native and professional soccer player, returns for another season coaching the U12 girls. Mike’s most recent professional playing experience came in 2019 in the USL with Phoenix Rising. Prior to that he played center back for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.
In spring 2020, RYS welcomes two new coaches to the U11-U12 division. Stefanie May, the current women’s head coach at SUNY Maritime, has amassed an impressive list of credentials and experiences. Her prior coaching stops include head coaching positions at Widener University and the Latin School of Chicago and an assistant coaching position at McDaniel College. She possesses various coaching credentials—highlighted by a United Soccer Coaches Master Coach diploma--and a tremendous level of enthusiasm for her new position with RYS. Also joining this age group is Kevin Kaye, whose experiences in the sport include 20+ years in various coaching, refereeing, and facility management roles. As a coach, Kevin has a USSF “C” License and previous coaching experience with the Central Park Rangers and the Hackley School. As a USSF Grade 8 referee, Kevin is also one of the top local high school referees. From 2017-2019 he was the Construction and Facility Manager of Ophir Field
U13-U14
Division Head Mike Konicoff…A two-time all-America during high school, Mike also earned New York State Player of the Year as a senior at Suffern High School in 2004. During his high school years, Mike was a member of both the U16 and U18 US National teams. As the 9th ranked player on ESPN's list of Class of 2005 prospects, he went on to enjoy a standout career at Boston College, where he captained the Eagles during his senior season. Mike and his family live in Rye.
Joining Mike on the U13-U14 coaching team is Tony Asante, a former star player at Syracuse University who continues to play for Elm City FC in New Haven. As a youth coach, Tony joined RYS in September 2019 and has earned a sterling reputation coaching player in a wide range of age groups. Elver Maldonado, a former standout player at Mamaroneck High School who went on to a successful four-year career at Plattsburgh State, will also return to the U13-U14 age group. After starting all 19 matches and earning all-SUNYAC tournament honors as a senior, Elver began his professional career in Central America before returning to the Westchester area. Elver joined RYS in September 2019 and has proven to be one of the club’s most exciting new hires.
Christina Benincasa, the Rye HS JV girls’ coach in 2019, returns to the RYS staff. A former Rye High School captain and two-time all-League player, Christina graduated from Wisconsin with a major in Marketing and a Digital Studies Certificate. Christina has been a regular at Rye Youth Soccer camps since her days as a player, high school volunteer, college assistant coach, and now full-fledged RYS staff member.
U15-U19
Division Head: Jared Small…Jared will continue to lead the high school program, which now consists of 4 teams and more than 80 players. Mike da Fonte, an Ossining native and professional soccer player, will coach the U15B Messies. Mike’s most recent professional playing experience came in 2019 in the USL with Phoenix Rising. Prior to that he played center back for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer. Christina Benincasa will lead the U19G Royals as they compete in the Varsity Division of WYSL. Jared Small and Rich Savage will join forces to coach the U19 Impact and U19 Sounders in the WYSL 1st division and Premier divisions, respectively.
Goalkeeping
U6-U7
Division Head: Andrew Schuck…Andrew is a veteran coach at RYS whose passion for the game, kindness, and patience make him an ideal leader for our youngest age groups. In this role, Andrew works closely with Chris Skelton to develop a curriculum to guide U6 and U7 parent coaches on Saturday mornings. Andrew and Chris have also worked together to develop a curriculum for our staff coaches to implement with our U7 players on Mondays.
U8-U10
Division Head: Chris Skelton…With a crew of 7 staff coaches, Chris will lead both the Saturday U8 sessions and the Friday U8 sessions. In addition. Chris will also be in charge of the 17 teams in our U9/U10 boys' and girls' age groups. Longtime RYS favorite Adriano Torriani, who brings both passion and a desire to teach the technical nuances of the sport, will again work within this age division. Joining the age group is Mike da Fonte, an Ossining native and professional soccer player. Mike’s most recent professional playing experience came in 2019 in the USL with Phoenix Rising. Prior to that he played center back for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer. Ricardo Eugenio, who has earned a reputation as an energetic and personable youth soccer coach and personal trainer, will again coach multiple teams within the age group. Colin Moses, a veteran of RYS, returns for another season to the U9-U10 team. Colin is highly regarded for his creativity, engaging and age-appropriate games, and loyalty to the club. Colin has over 15 years of coaching experience, highlighted by more than 8 years with Rye Youth Soccer and several years with Noga Soccer (UK Elite). In addition, he has also coached at Resurrection and Rye Country Day School. His playing career included stints with Long Island University CW Post and Swiss semiprofessional side FC Paradiso. He was also fortunate enough to work briefly with AC Milan as an assistant to the first team coaches--including decorated former AC Milan and Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri. Rounding out the coaching team is Tony Asante, a former star player at Syracuse University who continues to play for Elm City FC in New Haven. As a youth coach, Tony joined RYS in September 2019 and has earned a sterling reputation coaching player in a wide range of age groups.
U11-U12
Division Head:
Also returning is longtime RYS coach Adrian Ciocoiu. Since starting as an assistant boys’ varsity soccer coach at Rye HS in 2003, Adrian has held multiple roles in the Rye community—head JV coach at both Rye and Rye Neck, assistant Varsity track and field coach at Rye, and Rye City School District food services employee. As a youth soccer coach, Adrian has earned respect from players and families for his tireless commitment to his players. Adrian’s passion for the sport is also on display in his long-time commitment to organizing adult soccer for countless Rye residents and RYS parents.
Mike da Fonte, an Ossining native and professional soccer player, returns for another season coaching the U12 girls. Mike’s most recent professional playing experience came in 2019 in the USL with Phoenix Rising. Prior to that he played center back for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.
In spring 2020, RYS welcomes two new coaches to the U11-U12 division. Stefanie May, the current women’s head coach at SUNY Maritime, has amassed an impressive list of credentials and experiences. Her prior coaching stops include head coaching positions at Widener University and the Latin School of Chicago and an assistant coaching position at McDaniel College. She possesses various coaching credentials—highlighted by a United Soccer Coaches Master Coach diploma--and a tremendous level of enthusiasm for her new position with RYS. Also joining this age group is Kevin Kaye, whose experiences in the sport include 20+ years in various coaching, refereeing, and facility management roles. As a coach, Kevin has a USSF “C” License and previous coaching experience with the Central Park Rangers and the Hackley School. As a USSF Grade 8 referee, Kevin is also one of the top local high school referees. From 2017-2019 he was the Construction and Facility Manager of Ophir Field
U13-U14
Division Head Mike Konicoff…A two-time all-America during high school, Mike also earned New York State Player of the Year as a senior at Suffern High School in 2004. During his high school years, Mike was a member of both the U16 and U18 US National teams. As the 9th ranked player on ESPN's list of Class of 2005 prospects, he went on to enjoy a standout career at Boston College, where he captained the Eagles during his senior season. Mike and his family live in Rye.
Joining Mike on the U13-U14 coaching team is Tony Asante, a former star player at Syracuse University who continues to play for Elm City FC in New Haven. As a youth coach, Tony joined RYS in September 2019 and has earned a sterling reputation coaching player in a wide range of age groups. Elver Maldonado, a former standout player at Mamaroneck High School who went on to a successful four-year career at Plattsburgh State, will also return to the U13-U14 age group. After starting all 19 matches and earning all-SUNYAC tournament honors as a senior, Elver began his professional career in Central America before returning to the Westchester area. Elver joined RYS in September 2019 and has proven to be one of the club’s most exciting new hires.
Christina Benincasa, the Rye HS JV girls’ coach in 2019, returns to the RYS staff. A former Rye High School captain and two-time all-League player, Christina graduated from Wisconsin with a major in Marketing and a Digital Studies Certificate. Christina has been a regular at Rye Youth Soccer camps since her days as a player, high school volunteer, college assistant coach, and now full-fledged RYS staff member.
U15-U19
Division Head: Jared Small…Jared will continue to lead the high school program, which now consists of 4 teams and more than 80 players. Mike da Fonte, an Ossining native and professional soccer player, will coach the U15B Messies. Mike’s most recent professional playing experience came in 2019 in the USL with Phoenix Rising. Prior to that he played center back for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer. Christina Benincasa will lead the U19G Royals as they compete in the Varsity Division of WYSL. Jared Small and Rich Savage will join forces to coach the U19 Impact and U19 Sounders in the WYSL 1st division and Premier divisions, respectively.
Goalkeeping