Farmingdale State College (DII) Eyes Redemption After Strong Start and Late-Season Struggles

Farmingdale State College enters the 2024-25 AAU College Hockey season with determination after a strong start but disappointing end to last season. With new head coach Louis Judge at the helm, the Rams are looking to bounce back and contend in the DII ranks. After reaching the semifinals of the Black Division playoffs and qualifying for the National Championship Tournament, the Rams have their sights set on returning to the postseason and pushing further.

Returning Forwards: Farmingdale retains a core group of forwards, including last season’s top scorer Brendan Dixson, who led all AAU College Hockey DII players with 85 points in 31 games. Dixson’s offensive prowess will be key, along with contributions from Marco Malandruccolo (44 points), Nicholas D’Alessandro (38 points), and Peter Abazis (30 points). James Jensen, who tallied 27 points last season, is also back, giving the Rams plenty of firepower to drive their offensive efforts.

New Forwards: The Rams have reloaded their forward lineup with 10 fresh additions, headlined by a trio of standout players from the Dix Hills Hawks 18U A. Luke LaFata led the Hawks with an impressive 27 points in 16 games, followed closely by Bryan Slattery with 24 points, while Joseph Castellano contributed 17 points. All three players bring proven scoring ability and are poised to make an immediate impact with Farmingdale this season. Noah Lavoie (26 points for the Mid-Hudson Polar Bears 18U AA) and Derek Scheben (14 points in the USPHL-Elite) will further bolster the forward group, bringing depth and energy to Farmingdale’s offense.

Returning Defensemen: Farmingdale’s defensive unit remains largely intact, with Mark DellaVecchia, Michael D’Alessandro, Michael Malandruccolo, Arthur Mervyak, Joseph Paratore, and Louis Saccone returning. Michael D’Alessandro, who represented Farmingdale on Team Empire at the 2024 AAU College Hockey All-Star Challenge, will continue to be a key player on the blue line. This experienced group will anchor the Rams' defense as they look to improve on last season’s results.

New Defenseman: The Rams have added Lawrence Lena from the Long Island Gulls 18U AAA, who posted 14 points in 55 games last season. Lena’s addition will bring fresh energy and versatility to the defense, complementing the core of returning players.

Returning Goaltenders: In goal, Luke Richardson and Matthew Mantone return to split the duties between the pipes. Richardson made 10 starts last season, while Mantone led the team in goals-against average. With both goaltenders back, the Rams will have a solid foundation in net, looking to improve on last year’s performance.

New Goaltenders: Newcomers Michael Raguseo (P.A.L. Junior Islanders) and Jack Sarosy (Bellmore-Merrick Central) will provide added depth in net. Both will have the opportunity to earn playing time and contribute to the Rams’ goaltending success this season.

Looking Back at Last Season: Farmingdale came out strong in 2023-24, boasting a 16-3 record in their first 19 games. However, the Rams struggled after December 1st, finishing with a 3-7-1 record the rest of the way. Their playoff run ended in the semifinals with a 6-4 loss to Sacred Heart, the eventual Black Division champions. Despite qualifying for the National Championship Tournament, the Rams were placed in Group C and lost all three Pool Play games, including matchups against quarterfinalists High Point University (DII) and the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Outlook for the 2024-25 Season: Under new leadership, Farmingdale State College is looking for a fresh start and a more consistent season. With a strong core of returning talent, including Dixson, Malandruccolo, and D’Alessandro, and a large group of new forwards and defensemen, the Rams are positioned to compete for a top spot in the Black Division and another shot at a National Championship appearance. Key to their success will be maintaining their early-season momentum, integrating new players, and finding consistency in both offense and defense.

The Rams enter the season eager to prove themselves, and with new head coach Louis Judge guiding the way, they aim to leave last season’s tough finish behind and rise to the top of the DII ranks.

Photo credit: Dave Stufflebeam I @aztekphotos (Instagram)