Rochester adds a midfielder and goalie to its roster.
By Frankie Fanta / Rochester Lancers
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Lancers of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) announced that two more players have been added to their 2019/2020 roster, Frankie Ciliberto and John Ciavaglia.
Ciliberto grew up playing for Doug Miller Soccer and was a training player in 2018 for the Lancers NPSL team. This will be goalkeeper’s inaugural season with the Lancers brand. Per league and team policies, no further terms of the agreement were disclosed.
“I am excited to have a former youth player of mine as a new Lancers player. I have watched Frankie win a state cup and develop into an indoor Lancer,” said head coach Doug Miller. “John is a great communicator and leader who is going to transition into the indoor game. He is a terrific shot blocker that will now get to showcase his talents with the indoor Lancers.”
Frankie Ciliberto, Midfielder, #13
Born and raised in Rochester. The 22-year-old attended Churchville-Chili High School and was a 2-time All-State and All-Greater Rochester selection. He was also the Monroe County Player of the Year and Scholar All-American his senior year. Throughout his high school career, Ciliberto recorded 21 goals and 19 assists. He attended the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and won the conference tournament and made their first NCAA appearance in 2017. He was only able to play 3 years due to an injury during his collegiate career but during those years he scored 8 goals and had 6 assists. Frankie’s father, Frank Ciliberto was an original Rochester Flash player in 1984 and one of SoccerSam’s all-time favorite Flash players.
John Ciavaglia, Goalkeeper, #0
Born and raised in Rochester, the 23-year-old attended Rush-Henrietta High School. He was Monroe County second team in 2013 and Monroe County first-team and All-Greater Rochester team in 2014. He finished his high school career with 125 saves and a 1.08 goals against average. Ciavaglia went on to play his collegiate career at Roberts Wesleyan College from 2014-2018, where he was a starter for 2 ½ seasons. He was named team captain in 2017-2018 and led the East Coast Conference in saves his last two seasons. Ciavaglia was ranked 9th in all of NCAA D2 in saves in 2017 and he played a total of 43 games for Roberts. If the name Ciavaglia sounds familiar, it also may be because John’s cousin, Peter Ciavaglia, is a former Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Americans hockey player.
The Lancers home opening weekend is Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30 at the New Dome Arena.
Season tickets are now available on RLancers.com/Tickets