Silver Lake alumni getting their kicks again

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Some people go to high school and college reunions.

Others go to the ever-popular band reunions.

But a group of men from Staten Island have decided to stage a soccer reunion and, unlike the others, this one is going to last at least a few months.

In fact, more than 20 former players from the Silver Lake Soccer Club (SLSC) have formed the Silver Lake Seniors, and are presently competing in the Cosmopolitan League's over-30 division every Sunday.

According to co-founder Phil Esposito (formerly of Silver Lake Cosmos), he and some SLSC alumni started playing for the Brooklyn-based GJOA squad a year ago. After helping the travel team to a respectable record, Esposito decided to try to put together a squad of former SLSC players for this season.

"It was always something I wanted to do," explained Esposito, who played at Susan Wagner HS and Fordham University. "But we weren't always sure we could get enough commitments.

"We decided to try and get a group of some of our own guys (from our youth) and we started sending e-mails and making phone calls.

"We explained that it would be a $200-300 commitment because we weren't going to have (a major) sponsor and right off the bat we got 15 dead-on commitments."

The idea was also presented to long-time Silver Lake Soccer fixtures Dr. Gabriel and Dolly Nigrin. Dr. Nigrin founded the SLSC in 1970.

"Most of the guys on the team played (for) Silver Lake growing up and to pay homage (to the Nigrins), we asked what they thought about the idea and they were very supportive and helped us get off the ground," added Esposito. "They have great memories. They remember everyone and who they played for 20-25 years ago like it was yesterday.

"It's incredible."

Esposito also made a special mention of former Silver Lake coach Ness Selmani.

"Most of us grew up playing for him with the Cosmos," Esposito said of the current Fordham University women's head coach. "He deserves more credit than anyone."

Esposito did get small sponsorships for the SL Seniors, including the Beer Garden (Esposito played high school ball with owner Paul Rodriguez) and SL Senior member Goni Lazoja (SL Raiders), whose business, Premier Coach, donated the team uniforms.

"Those were two big contributions," added Esposito.

Esposito said the SL Seniors currently have 21 on the roster, although some are on injured reserve.

In addition to Esposito and Lazoja, other teams members include Andres Cano (SL Cosmos), Giovanni Cappellini (SL Cosmos), Joe Fumando (SL Bullets), Mike Aguilar (SL Cosmos), Geoff Varela (SL Jets/Cosmos), Ralph Ranieri (SL Cosmos), Sal Leanti (SL Kickers), Sinan Selmani (SL Cosmos), Chad Dictenberg (SL Cosmos), Vito Lasalandra (SL Bullets), Mike Bonavita (SL Kickers), Frank DeFrancesco (SL Kickers) and John Licata (SL Jets).

One big difference, Esposito noted, is that back in the day, soccer moms and dads roamed the sidelines while their sons played. Now, the sidelines are dominated by the players' wives and children.

"It's a bunch of guys that wanted to play together and play on Staten Island," said Esposito, whose team plays home games at the College of Staten Island. "We're having fun, but we also want to win.

"If we would have had this team when we were 18-21, I think we would have been tremendous," added Esposito, whose team is 3-1 in league play. "But we're still pretty good now too, even though we're not in exactly the best shape."