2023-2024:
Head coach Tony Faticoni will be heading into his ninth season at Pfeiffer University, with the 2023 season being his seventh as head coach.
Tony comes to Pfeiffer with a very diverse background within the college game. After finishing up his playing career at Rutgers University, he worked under former Pfeiffer head coach at athletic director, Bob Reasso at Rutgers from 1993-1994, where they made an appearance in the NCAA final four. From Rutgers he took the head coaching job at Centenary College (N.J.) where he won a NSCAA (National Small College Athletic Association) national title (1995) with a record of 17-3-1. The 17 victories remain the highest single season wins total in program history.
After Centenary, he had short stints at Lafayette College under Nelson Rodriguez, as well as the College of N.J. under another legend, coach Joe Russo. Tony left the college game and began a stint in club soccer working with the New Jersey Knights.
Several years later, Reasso would convince him to come to Pfeiffer in 2015, where the team went 25-0 and won the NCAA Division II Championship. Tony remarks, “I have had the pleasure of working under some tremendous coaches, as well as enjoyed a great amount of success and am looking forward to using all my knowledge, experience, and passion to help the Falcons get back to the top!”
Playing Career:
As a Virginia native, Tony played for Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, winning a state championship in 1987. In high school, Tony was named the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year while being named a High School All-American. After leaving Kempsville, he was recruited to play at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Thomas Jefferson University). The starting goalkeeper, he helped lead them to a pair of NCAA final 16 appearances both his freshman and sophomore year.
Tony then transferred to Rutgers University to finish his college playing career and earned a degree in Exercise Science and Sports Studies.
After his collegiate career, Faticoni played for one season in the USISL (United States Interregional Soccer League) professional league with the New Jersey Dragons.
Coaching Philosophy:
One of Tony’s favorite quotes is “Winning isn't everything-but wanting to win is” by Vince Lombardi Jr. He believes players should give a 100%, 100% of the time. That goes for school, soccer, and everything in life. Faticoni looks for talented players, but also players that have a high work rate and strong character. To be successful and to play for coach Faticoni, you need to possess all 3 qualities.
Credentials/ Personal:
Faticoni holds a USSF B license, United Soccer Coaches National Diploma, as well as United Soccer Coaches Level 3 Goalkeeping certification. He also has several certifications through the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Faticoni resides in Midland, N.C., with his wife Krystal and their two children, Taylor and Trey.
