Welcome to Meet the Captains, the Men's Soccer Edition. Let's learn more about the 2025 captains: Dominic Petruzzelli, Landon Morone, Carter Gorczyca and Jordan Illian.
 
Dominic Petruzzelli – Senior Defenseman from Warminster, Pa.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport?
A: I have been playing soccer since I was 4 years old, all the way back during Mighty Mites at Vereinigung Erzgebirge (VE), my hometown club!
 
Q: What is your best memory playing your sport before Neumann?
A: My best memory from high school soccer was during my senior season, when I had the unique opportunity to play alongside my brother. That year, our team made history by becoming only the second team in Archbishop Wood boys soccer history to advance to the state championship. Sharing such a special accomplishment with him, and with teammates I had grown up playing with, made it unforgettable. It was the perfect way to cap off my high school soccer career.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be named Captain?
A: I have served as captain for the past two years now, an experience that has been a tremendous honor, especially as a transfer from Cabrini after it closed. To step into a new program and earn this role after only my first semester at Neumann shows the trust and respect this team has placed in me, which means so much. It's even more meaningful because Cabrini and Neumann were local AEC rivals during my first two years in college, and now I have the privilege of leading such a passionate and committed group of teammates, who I now proudly call family. Their confidence in me motivates me every day to give my best and to set the standard on and off the field.
 
Q: What is your major and why?
A: Mathematics Major with Certification in Secondary Education, Applied Statistics Minor
I aspire to teach the next generation not only mathematics but also the skills of problem-solving and critical thinking. My goal is to create a classroom environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and valued. Just as I had a positive and meaningful high school experience, I want to ensure that each of my students leaves my classroom with both stronger math skills and lasting confidence in their abilities.
 
Q: What is your dream job after graduating?
A: I want to teach high school math, hopefully Calculus, and coach soccer with my brother!
 
Q: What is your advice to the student-athletes just starting their collegiate career?
A: Soccer is just a small part of your story, but the experiences and relationships you build along the way will last a lifetime. Cherish the small moments, the bus rides, overnight trips, 6 a.m. practices, the sweat, blood, and tears, because those are the things you'll remember most. Sitting here as a senior, I can honestly say I would do it all over again and again.
 
 
Landon Moroney – Junior Midfielder from Haddon Township, N.J.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport?
A: I have been playing soccer since I was about 5 years old and haven't stopped since. In total, it's been 15 years and counting.
 
Q: What is your best memory playing your sport before Neumann?
A: My best memory of playing soccer before Neumann was winning a N.J. state championship with my high school team. We won 2-1 and I scored one of the goals, but the best part was just doing it with all of the guys I grew up with.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be named Captain?
A: To be named captain is a huge honor and I'm just grateful for the opportunity to lead a great group of guys. Coming to practice and getting after it every day with this team is something special.
 
Q: What is your major and why?
A: I am a junior nursing major here at Neumann. I chose this career path because I have always been fascinated in medicine and there is a wide range of opportunities within this field. This field has high job demand and stability, lifelong learning, and provides care to those who need it most.
 
Q: What is your dream job after graduating?
A: My dream job after graduating would be to work as an ICU nurse for a few years and then go to school again to become a nurse anesthetist.
 
Q: What is your advice to the student-athletes just starting their collegiate career?
A: My advice to the student-athletes just starting their career would be to find a balance between school and sports that also allows you to go and fun with your friends. It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of it all but I found it important to make time for things that matter most.
 
 
Carter Gorczyca – Sophomore Defender from Ravenel, S.C.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport?
A: 14 years
 
Q: What is your best memory playing your sport before Neumann?
A: I moved to South Carolina my junior year of high school and my first year at Ashley Ridge High School we won our state championship for the first time in school history for men's soccer.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be named Captain?
A: In my opinion, it means a lot of responsibility and leadership. It feels like a whole different level in terms of bringing guys together and making sure that everybody on the team is checked in mentally and bought into the program because we want this team to also feel like a family.
 
Q: What is your major and why?
A: I'm majoring in Accounting because I like the future outlook of the major and what it has to offer, and I feel as though I can get a lot of different opportunities in the business world once I finish.
 
Q: What is your dream job after graduating?
A: My dream job after graduating is a job that is related to accounting or analyzing how different businesses operate and what they could do better on. I'm also looking for something that has a good work-life balance and something I can be excited for every day.
 
Q: What is your advice to the student-athletes just starting their collegiate career?
A: Academically, my advice is to make sure you turn in your assignments on-time and reach out to your professors if you need help. Athletically, my advice is to always come into training and games with a positive mindset and wanting to get better every day because in the long-run those extra hours on the field and in the gym or training room will pay off.
 
 
Jordan Illian – Junior Forward from Millsboro, Del.
 
Q: How long have you been playing your sport?
A: Since I was 5
 
Q: What is your best memory playing your sport before Neumann?
A: My freshman year of college at the University of South Carolina I broke two records in one game. I had two goals and an assist with the game-winning goal with 30 seconds left to help send us to the playoffs.
 
Q: What does it mean to you to be named Captain?
A: It feels great. Shows that the staff trust me and that the team does as well.
 
Q: What is your major and why?
A: Early childhood. I chose this because my dad works with kids in the school and my sister does as well and I just wanna help kids
 
Q: What is your dream job after graduating?
A: Playing pro soccer
 
Q: What is your advice to the student-athletes just starting their collegiate career?
A: Just be yourself, enjoy every moment because if you don't just take a step back and look at where you are and thank god for everything, it all goes by so fast and you won't appreciate what you got until it's gone.