Staten Island Academy pair set to play Division I soccer

Devin Fuller and Amanda Moschella have been prolific scorers and winners at Staten Island Academy. The pair also made history this season by becoming the first two athletes at the small private school to sign National Letters of Intent with Division I schools in the same year. Fuller will plays men’s soccer at Providence and Moschella will be member of the women’s soccer program at Vermont.

“I think they are very proud of us,” Moschella said. “I know they are trying to build up the athletic program to as high a standard as our academic program is. They are very proud of both me and Devin.”

courtesy of SIA

courtesy of SIA
Michael Acquilano, (l. to r.) director of college guidance at SIA, Amanda Moschella, boys soccer coach Bob Ramirez and Devin Fuller celebrate the athletes' signing.

There are plenty of reasons for that.

Fuller, an All-City selection by The Post, led the five boroughs in scoring with 52 goals and helped lead SIA to PSAA and ACIS titles the last two seasons. Moschella, who earned an All-City second team nod, tallied 18 goals and added 16 assists and helped Staten Island Academy to the PSAA and ACIS crowns and a one-loss season that ended in defeat at the hands of Riverdale in the NYSAISAA final.

“It’s great to see that your hard work has paid off and everything just falls into place,” said Fuller, who plays his club ball with the N.J. Soccer Academy.

The midfielder didn't initially see Providence in his future right away. The Big East school was one of the last to contact him, but he kept them around as an option. After his visit in May he was sold. Fuller, who wants to major in business, said he was impressed with Friars coach Chaka Daley and his patient style of play. He is headed to Providence on a partial athletic scholarship and is also hoping to earn academic money.

“When I went up there I just fell in love with the campus and the school and the coaches,” he said.

Providence finished 13-6-3 last season and 4-4-1 in conference play. It fell in penalty kicks to Louisville in the Big East final. The Friars' NCAA tournament run ended in the second round to Ohio State. Fuller is hoping he can help the team build off that success. He chose Providence over Colgate, Georgetown, Yale, Lafayette and Georgetown.

“That’s definitely a huge thing for me,” he said of playing in the Big East. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited. Hopefully next year we can win the Big East final. Hopefully in my time there we can go to the Sweet 16 of the NCAAs.”

Moschella talked about striving for a national title at Vermont as well.

It will be a little more of an uphill climb for the Catamounts, who will be rebuilding after a 2-16 season and 1-7 record in the America East. There is optimism with interm coach Kristi Lefebvre taking over for Kwame Lloyd who resigned in October.

“I think we are going to make this team a lot stronger than it was last year,” Moschella said of her and her fellow recruits.

The speedy forward said Vermont watched her multiple times with her Albertson Fury club team and took three trips to campus. Moschella bonded with the players, felt comfortable in their system and the campus life. It was also a place Moschella believed she could excel academically. Vermont offers a 6-year program that will allow her to earn her doctorate in physical therapy.

"I spent a night will all the girls on the soccer team," Moschella said. “We met in the locker room, which is really cool. I got to see all their uniforms and stuff in their lockers. We just hung out and talked about how life was as a student athlete on campus. I knew from then Vermont would be a perfect fit.”

jstaszewski@nypost.com