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Moscato Added to Women's Soccer Staff
July 31, 2007 | Women's Soccer
July 31, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Former Canadian National Team Member Carmelina Moscato has been hired as an assistant coach for the University of Louisville women's soccer team.
"Carmelina is a terrific addition to our Cardinal women's soccer staff," Head Coach Karen Ferguson said.
"While going through the assistant coaching search it became very clear to me that hiring someone with Carm's playing experience and background was exactly what our program needs as we continue to develop in to one of the premier women's soccer teams in the country."
Moscato joins Ferguson, the winningest coach in Cardinal history, and assistant Kyle Singer.
"She has collegiate playing experience at an extremely reputable program in Penn State and she has the very distinct honor of representing her country (Canada) for both a youth and World Championship. She will without question be a wonderful role model for our current players, future players and the youth within our community. We are very excited about the addition of Carm to our staff and know she will help us compete for Big East and ultimately National Championships."
The Mississauga, Ontario native made her Women's Under-19 Team debut on May 29, 2001 against China in the 3rd Annual Adidas Cup, and her international debut on April 3, 2002 in a match against Australia during the 2002 Turnoi de France, earning 22 caps.
Moscato played in all six games at the FIFA Women's World Cup and was named to the tournament all-star team as a midfielder. She made her mark on the 2002 U-19 Canadian National team which reached the World Cup Final in Edmonton, playing 18 times and scoring four goals for the junior squad. She also played six times for the World Cup team in 2004 against China, Sweden, USA, Jamaica, Panama, and Costa Rica.
Played at the 2004 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Costa Rica, the 2004 Four Nations Tournament in China, was named to Canada's 2003 Women's World Cup roster and Canada's 2003 Algarve Cup roster, scoring her first international goal in a match against Greece.
Was also part of the Under-19 Women's Team that won the silver medal at the 2002 FIFA U-19 World Championships.
Played the 2005 and 2006 W-League seasons with the Ottawa Fury, as well as a portion of the 2007 slate prior to her arrival in The Ville. Was also a member of the 2004 W-League Champion Vancouver Whitecaps and played the 2002 club season with the Ottawa Fury in the W-League.
Moscato, who missed a portion of her sophomore season while competing for the national team, played in 75 games during her four-year career at Penn State in the midfield and up top, scoring 10 goals and adding 20 assists. The Nittany Lions compiled an 80-10-7 record, winning four Big Ten titles, and advancing to the national semifinals twice during her four-year stay.
Prior to her career at Penn State, she played four years at St. Francis Xavier Secondary and was named Most Valuable Player. She was a two-year member of the Ontario Provincial team, winning gold in 2000 and silver in 2001 at the Canadian National Championships.
Moscato earned her degree in communication arts and sciences, with a minor in business at Penn State. She is single and resides in Louisville.
Q and A with Carmelina Moscato:
What attracted you to the University of Louisville?
For a high percentage of varsity sports to have all found success within one academic year like this past year at the University of Louisville, there has to be strong leadership and initiative in place. In this past year, with Tom Jurich, Athletic Director here at UofL, winning the AD of the year award, the University Athletics program is getting the recognition it deserves. Also having met people like Julie Hermann (Sr. Associate AD), Holly Sheilley (Director of Championships) and Scott Sallade (Team Academic Advisor) who all have an intricate part in creating success for student athletes, I knew this was the right place to be and to start my collegiate coaching career. The leadership shown by Karen is without a doubt seen in the continued improvement and success of this program. I wanted to be part of it and learn from the best.
What will you bring with you from your playing experiences at Penn State and for Canada internationally?
Aside from the tactics and standard of play that is now a part of my expectations, I think the thing I will take with me is the level of commitment it takes to succeed. So many times a player will want something but is inaccurate about the way to achieve it. Every player has "gold" within them and at this point I feel a responsibility to help bring it out of the players here at U of L. I have been lucky to have a couple inspirational coaches do that for and I want to give that back.
Talk about growing up and playing in Canada and now being a coach in the states?
Growing up, females in soccer were mediocre in terms of popularity. It really started to take off when I was in high school and the opportunity for females to play at higher and higher levels became available. My generation was amongst some of the first Canadians to get noticed and pursue academics and athletics in the states not to mention national team careers. After playing at Penn State for four years and having an influential and life changing four years, I want to provide that opportunity for other young female players here in America, as well as for Canadian female players here at Louisville. I want Canadians to get more exposure and to be able to experience what the American Collegiate game has to offer.
Impressions of the Cardinal Soccer team and Karen?
Under the leadership of Karen, it is apparent that this group of young women knows how to achieve success on and off the field, and ultimately be good people in the process. There is just such a high moral standard within the team that resonates in the way both the players and Karen carry themselves. Karen runs her program, manages her team, and treats her women with the highest standards which create an environment in which is hard to fail. She sets her players up for success both short and long term!
