Purcell finalizes Class of 2025

Smithfield, R.I. - Bryant Univeristy men's soccer head coach Seamus Purcell finalizes the class of 2025 with the addition of five more players. The Class of 2025 now has nine players, Purcell previously added four on National Signing Day.

"In the middle of an incredibly challenging and difficult year, we are excited to announce and welcome these five talented young men as part of the recruiting class of 2025 to Bryant University, Coach Purcell said."

"Since last March, our student-athletes, their families, and our coaching staff have had to deal with great adversity and uncertainty because of the Covid-19 situation. Our day-to-day operations, soccer activities, academic, and athletic scheduling along with lifestyle changes have tested our character and mental wellbeing, Purcell said." "If there is one thing I know for certain, these five men are joining a great group of guys and a team that possesses great character, positivity, and resilience. I am so proud of this program, this university, our athletic department, and this team during an ever-changing and trying period of time."

Purcell said, "Bryant soccer is thriving and the addition of the 2025 recruiting class only adds to our bright future and potential as a program. We will all enjoy working with and watching these players excel for the next four years at Bryant University."

Landon Sartori | Left-Back | Lakeville, Conn. | South Kent School  

Before Bryant: A four-year varsity and prep school starter... In 2020, he helped his team win the Class B Championship and the Prep Soccer National Championship... He was an Olympic Development Regional Finalist... Played on the Black Rock FC club team from 2018-2020... Was invited to participate in the Dallas Cup.

 Purcell on Sartori: We are thrilled to welcome Landon to Smithfield and fully expect him to be a valuable addition to our roster next season and moving forward. Landon should develop and challenge for playing time as an outside defender and help us attack in wide areas and supply service into the forwards. Landon is a quick and clever player that also has great technique and ball-striking abilities. We love that he is hard-working and confident when joining the attack while never overlooking or sacrificing his defensive responsibilities. Landon immediately strengthens our defensive group and will benefit from having some very good veteran players and experienced teammates on the roster that can teach him the key points in how to play within our system. We are very happy to welcome Landon and trust that he will enjoy being part of the family. 

Pauly Moura | Wing/Midfield | East Providence, R.I. | La Salle Academy 

Before Bryant: Four-year letter winner... As a freshman, he scored eight goals and dished out 12 assists... During his sophomore season, he tallied nine goals and seven assists... Helped his team achieve an undefeated season as a Junior, and recorded nine goals and assists... Won the State Championship and registered seven goals and 12 assists as a senior... Set the school record when he tallied five assists in eleven minutes... Played for Brighton Academy in 2020... Was a five-time state champion as a member of the Bayside FC Club Team from 2013-2020... Honor-Roll student.

 Purcell on Moura: We have been aware of Pauly for years and have kept a close eye on his development having played locally for club and high school as well as his production at Bridgton Academy this past year. Pauly is a crafty and technical midfielder who has the ability to problem-solve, maintain possession and boost offensive production throughout a game. Playing the role of midfield at the division one level is a tough task but I feel that this young player will have the ability to make an important impact in his first year as he strengthens and develops his game on both sides of the ball. We are very excited and happy that Pauly is joining us and look forward to watching him excel at Bryant University. 

 Digger Iqbal | Midfield | Auckland, New Zealand | Saint Kentigern College

Before Bryant: Three-year varsity player at Saint Kentigern College... Placed first in the NZSS Auckland Competition... Was nominated for the Sportsmen of the Year in 2017 and 2019... Played for the Western Springs AFC club team from 2019-2021... Made the U19 Nationals Tournament team... His team is currently in second place in the Northern League, which is the second-highest league in New Zealand... Honor-Roll student.

Purcell on Iqbal: We are really excited to welcome Digger into our program and expect that he will compete early in the preseason for playing time for the Bulldogs. Digger strengthens our already deep roster for attacking options and will continue to allow us to play an attacking style of soccer. We are very impressed with his ability to read the game and create goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates in and around the goal. He is hardworking and relentless in the attack while also possessing the ability to play as a central midfielder and control the pace of the game when needed from a supporting position. Additionally, we love the fact that he plays with a sense of confidence and maturity on the ball and will be a factor when taking offensive set-pieces. Digger has been playing at the highest level of competition in New Zealand and will undoubtedly be a player to watch for the next four years.

Luca Marinelli | Goalkeeper | Milford, Conn. | Joseph A. Foran High School 

Before Bryant: Four-year letter winner for the Lions... As a junior, he recorded nine shutouts in 17 games played... He was named to the All-State and All-Connecticut first team... During his senior campaign, Marinelli produced five shutouts in five games... He received the honor of the All-State, All-Area, and the All-Southern Connecticut first team. Played in the Senior Bowl... Was a member of Inter Connecticut FC and the USL Academy... Honor-Roll student and a member of the Latin honors society.

Purcell on Marinelli: Luca is a welcomed addition to our program and we are very excited to watch this young man mature and excel at the collegiate game. We believe that his shot-stopping abilities, decision-making on flighted balls in the box, and overall command of the goal area are his strengths coming in and expect his overall performance to add depth to our already strong group of goalkeepers. Luca will benefit from learning tricks of the trade from a tight-knit returning group who are also very good educators of the game. We have no doubt that Luca will flourish here at Bryant and will become an impactful member of our program for years to come. 

Christian Godinho | Center Back | Leominster, Mass. | Leominster High School 

Before Bryant: A two-year varsity starter at Leominster High School... Scored the first goal of his career as a freshman... As a junior, he scored ten goals and produced five assists... In 2019 he was named an MVP, a Mid-Watch A-League All-Star, and a Worcester Telegram & Gazette Home Team Fall Boys' Soccer All-Star... Played for the Boston Bolts from 2017-2019... Won the Needham Memorial Day Tournament in 2018.

Purcell on Godhino: We have an outstanding incoming class next year and Christian will be looked upon to strengthen our defensive unit from day one. He has a calming presence about his play but is able to physically dominate his opponents when needed. We fell in love with his ability to control play in the defensive third of the field as well as his timing on joining the offensive play further up the pitch. He is dangerous offensively on set pieces and will add to our team's overall size in the box while defending flighted balls. We believe Christian will adapt quickly to the speed of play at the collegiate level and will step right in and contend for a starting center-back position. This young man has the ability to be a very good player and we are pleased that he will be joining us next season at Bryant. 

Camron Lawrence | Wing/Midfield | Norfolk, Mass. | King Phillip Regional High School 

Before Bryant: Played three years of varsity soccer for the Warriors… Led his team to records of 12-4-4 and 10-4-5 during the 2017 and 2019 seasons… Competed in a total of 29 games and recorded ten career goals and nine career assists… Made the All-Star team in 2019 and was named his team's Offensive Player of the Year… Player for the Bolts Academy club team in 2020.  

Purcell on Lawrence: We are excited that Cam will be joining our program at Bryant as we know he had several offers to play soccer elsewhere. We fully anticipate Cam will develop into and become a consistent and impactful player in our lineup. Cam is a very athletic and versatile player who will add pace, tenacity, and overall depth to our wing play and attack-minded style of soccer. We love the fact that Cam is confident in taking on players in the attacking third as well as possessing the ability to shoot from distance and pose a scoring threat. We expect a bright future ahead of this young man and know that he will fit in right away and contribute to our team's success early in his career at Bryant. 

Jack Longo | Defense/Midfield | Tinton Falls, N.J. | Christian Brothers Academy 

 Before Bryant: Three-year varsity starter at Christian Brothers Academy… In 2018, he helped his team win the Public A State Championships and the Public A South Sectional Championships… In 2019, Longo's team was ranked #3 in New Jersey and was the 20th ranked team in the country… Played for the Match Fit Academy club team and in the 2019 season, his team finished in first-place… Participated in the ECNL Super Cup, which selects the top three players from each age group… Recorded three goals and three assists in the 2019 season. 

Purcell on Longo: Jack is another player that possesses great leadership qualities and the relentless work ethic that will help him excel at the next level here at Bryant. We are very excited that Jack will be joining us and really look forward to watching him settle into a role here that will help the program advance both in wins and in character. His ability to join the attack as an outside defender and provide quality service from the wing will prove valuable in our success moving forward. We love his relentless work ethic and tactical awareness in the timing of joining the attack. Additionally, Jack's individual defending and overall positioning in the backline is superb. We are very happy to have Jack at Bryant.

Patrick Sullivan | Defense/Midfield | Glastonbury, Conn. | Glastonbury High School 

Before Bryant: Was a three-year varsity starter at Glastonbury High School… Won the Class LL State Championships in 2017 and 2018… Was named to the All-Conference and All-State teams during his junior season… During his senior year, Sullivan played for the Oakwood Soccer Club, which is a part of the MLS Next League. 

Purcell on Sullivan: We are very excited that Patrick will be joining our program at Bryant and believe that he will make an instant impact. Patrick is a technical player who performs very well under pressure and will help us maintain possession while building in the attack. We believe that Patrick's ability to comfortably play several positions, either as a defender or holding midfielder, will prove valuable as he will be able to help us in many ways. He is a relentless worker on the field and should have an easy and smooth transition into the collegiate game. We look forward to working with Patrick as we see him developing into a key contributor for years to come at Bryant.

Nicholas Vitti | Winger/Midfielder | Milford, Conn. | Notre Dame-West Haven 

Before Bryant: Four-year letter winner… Was the first freshman to start on the varsity team in five years… As a sophomore, Vitti tallied six goals and six assists and was an All-SCC nominee… During his junior season, he recorded nine goals and five assists and was an All-SCC nominee for the second straight season… Named team captain this season… Led his team to the State tournament as a freshman and a junior… As a member of the South Central Premier club team, Vitti won the Coaches Award, the MVP award, and made the Connecticut State Cup title game four times… Member of the National Honors Society. 

Purcell on Vitti: Nickolas Vi2 This young man has the potential to play an important role and develop into a consistent threat as a midfielder and attacking player at Bryant. Nick is creative, quick thinking, and an attack-minded player who possesses great playmaking and finishing abilities around the goal. He is comfortable and confident with the ball at his feet and will factor into our attack on the wing or in a midfield position. We like the fact that Nick has leadership qualities and will work extremely hard in training as well as game situations. We have no doubt that Nick will excel at the next level. Welcome to Bryant University!