Westbury Native Named Among Top 100 College Soccer Players

WESTBURY, NY — A Westbury native has been ranked among the top 100 college soccer players in the country by Top Drawer Soccer, which ranks more than 3,000 players nationwide. Carlo Ritaccio a sophomore defender who plays for the University of Akron in the MAC conference, was ranked No. 29 in the country by the soccer site.

The former W. Tresper Clarke High School player started all 22 matches for Akron last year and was a second-team all-conference honoree. He helped anchor the Zips defense — which notched eight shutouts — and added three goals, all in the postseason. He was named National Freshman of the Year by Top Drawer Soccer and was named to their Freshman Best list as o the first team.

Among Ritaccio's most impressive matches came in the December semifinals of the MAC tournament, in which he scored a pair of goals, helping his team to a 5-1 victory over Michigan State.

Ritaccio, who is studying business administration, told Patch he found out he made the top 100 rankings on Wednesday afternoon. The talented defender said the honor was "definitely" a surprise. And while he was honored for the distinction, Ritaccio is taking a Bill Belichick approach — he's on to the season.

"I have my mind set on the season and how I can help my team to get off to the right start this season," Ritaccio wrote in an Instagram message.

Akron's season begins Aug. 30 against Xavier.