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Matt DiCerbo, Boca Raton, boys' soccer 6A-5A Player of the Year

By Chris Gentilviso | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
March 13, 2008

Most players in any sport aspire to exit on top of their game. The top was exactly where Boca Raton goalkeeper Matt DiCerbo finished his high school soccer career.

After just one season as a starter, DiCerbo was named South Florida Sun-Sentinel Class 6A-5A Player of the Year.

With a strong defense in front of him, DiCerbo was able to excel at his post. Against Palm Beach Central in the Class 6A regional quarterfinals, he made three saves from point-blank range in the final eight minutes as Boca held on for a 2-1 victory.

"This is the best game I've ever seen him play," coach Marcello Castillo said after the victory. "He was big, and I still can't believe some of the saves he made."

That game would turn out to be DiCerbo's last high school victory, as Boca (24-4) fell to Wellington 3-1 in the regional semifinals. DiCerbo walked away from that game disappointed but felt no regrets about his senior year.

The path to becoming starting goalkeeper was never etched in stone. DiCerbo sat behind a senior for three years before emerging this season. He has played under Castillo for almost six seasons, given no free passes at Boca Raton.

"We have a whole lot of fun playing, and he moves us to get everything we need to accomplish done," DiCerbo said of Castillo. "He motivates you to play the game at the level you need to."

While his time working with Castillo has come to an end, his soccer career is far from over. DiCerbo is headed to Lenoir-Rhyne College (N.C.) to play next season.

"I can't really explain how it makes me feel to just get there," DiCerbo said. "It's a great achievement to just play. I'm extremely excited and anxious to get started."

Dicerbo hopes to compete for a starting position at Lenoir-Rhyne. With the long climb he endured at Boca Raton, he said he hasn't even thought about a return to the bottom of the ranks as a college freshman.

"Those three years were extremely long, and it has always motivated me to work hard," DiCerbo said. "You always have to work hard, and hopefully the coach will notice. I think this year put everything into place."

Chris Gentilviso can be reached at cgentilviso@sun-sentinel.com

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