CASTELFRANCO VENETO, Italy --- Signing student-athletes like Matteo Napoletano shows the great lengths Head Coach Torrey Stricklin and Biola Men's Soccer are willing to go to find great talent and push the program to success. And fortifying the roster with another midfielder of Napoletano's caliber shows that the amount of effort is worth it.
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Matteo to our program. Matteo is another player that I have known for a while; I saw him play last year in Italy and I was immediately impressed with his quality as a player," said Coach Stricklin. "He is a dynamic and creative player who has real quality when the ball is at his feet. He has the ability not only to create for himself, but what makes him special is his ability to create for others as well."

That first-person evaluation quickly affirmed the skills indicated by Napoletano's statistics and team accomplishments. The attacking mid has made 38 appearances on the first team of his Giorgione Calcio club, scoring four goals and recording nine assists. Giorgione currently plays at the fifth level of Italian soccer and has won several titles, including an Italian Championship, during Napoletano's time with the team. 

Napoletano has personally been part of five regional championships between his six seasons with Giorgione Calcio and three with Cittadela.

For his part, Napoletano was very receptive to the recruiting process with Coach Stricklin because he has wanted to pursue a degree in the United States for a while. He plans to major in business administration at Biola and feels his time in La Mirada will fit his aspirations in several areas of his life. 

Being able to combine study and soccer in an American university is the thing I've always dreamed of doing, and I think Biola is the right university for my growth both on and off the field," said Napoletano. "I believe that Biola is the right place for me from an academic, spiritual and soccer point of view."
 
Napoletano hopes to eventually start his own business after playing soccer professionally. More information on the rest of the student-athletes that will join him at Biola in 2021-22 can be found on the Committed Athletes page.