Ryan Buccellato '22 Recruiting Profile

Soccer is a very big part of who I am.  It is the chance to be part of a team of great people who I learn from and who I have the chance to lead on and off the field.  It allows me to connect with coaches and trainers who push me hard and expect me to perform and with high reliability and sportsmanship. It motivates me that they expect me to be a leader and enforcer and to take feedback humbly. It gives me vision because I have to see the whole field, visualizing the plays, and anticipating what my teammates will do when they will do it.  Soccer keeps me mentally sharp and academically structured.  My mind and body both need to be quick; I have to be focused and disciplined to train and perform the way I expect of myself. Because I play on a few teams that are time-consuming, I can’t waste a lot of time.  Being busy with soccer keeps my school work and other activities in line.  Soccer doesn’t just allow me to be athletic in soccer, but it gives me the footwork and agility to be a top competitor on club teams in Basketball and Lacrosse and to ski.  More than anything else, soccer gives me a reason to be with really great kids to which I can be a friend and leader.  When seasons or games get canceled, I miss out on the chance to be with my team and it's a big loss. Soccer gives me an outlet - and the opportunity to be myself and a leader.

As a center back, I need to be one of the most reliable players on the field.  I need to be alert at all times and my skills and speed need to be high to prevent a penalty and protect the goal.  I have to be able to mark my man closely, regardless of his speed and skill.  I need to be able to settle the ball, switch fields, and execute clean tackles.  I need to talk to the goalie constantly, using him to set up our defense for success.  I need to think offensively when feeding my midfielders and forwards and defensively at all times. I am constantly looking to organize the defense, communicate with the goalie, and enforce the things that the coach teaches us.  I go to every game knowing I have to be the toughest kid on the field and to always protect my goalie and team. I love my position because I am part of every play, working the defense, even when I’m not touching the ball.  

Outside of soccer, I am dedicated and hard-working in all aspects of my life and consider myself a team player in everything that I do.  I challenge myself academically with honors and AP classes and make sure that I'm connected to my teachers and classmates.  My favorite subjects are Math and Social Studies.  I sing in our school's Advanced Chorus for the past 3 years, am an active member of the Miracle Club (supporting kids with cancer), and volunteer every summer at our local school's summer camp.  I have my boater and jet skier licenses and am an avid skier and boarder (snow and water).  I work 3 to 5 days per week at my family's restaurant and I am proud that they have come to rely on me as an important part of the team.  I serve customers and have worked myself into a leadership position by being focused, reliable, communicative, team-oriented, hospitable, and quick. I am constantly giving feedback on how to improve the restaurant.  I believe these are also the traits of a great soccer player and I strive to show them each time I'm on the field.  

I hope you take the chance on me not just as a soccer player, but as a student, a teammate, and a leader.