Fordham University Looks to Make Strong Impact in DII with New Talent and Returning Core

As the 2024-25 season begins, Fordham University looks to make a strong impact in their new division after reclassifying from DI to DII and moving from the ECHC Purple Division to the Black Division. Under Head Coach, Pete Genesi, the team will rely on a core group of returning players, with fresh talent added to the roster to bolster their competitive edge.

Returning Forwards: Fordham brings back a solid group of returning forwards, including key players like Bryce Vitale, Bobby Rotondo, Owen O’Keeffe, and Carmine Pittelli, who had a standout season last year with 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists) in 18 games. Pittelli, alongside fellow returning forwards Chris Lordi and Andrew Carlson, will lead the Rams’ offensive charge. The depth of experience is complemented by Mark Gall, Kurt Beyler, and John Langan, among others, ensuring Fordham has a formidable attack heading into the season.

New Forwards: Fordham has bolstered its forward group with a promising class of recruits. Tommy Macina (Loyola Academy Gold) brings a well-rounded skill set, having posted 34 points in 35 games last season. Luke Lowe (Marquette University High) adds scoring prowess after leading his team with 23 goals in 21 games. Other notable additions include Maxim Gubarev (Baltu Vitki, Latvia2), Matteo Pugliese (Fordham Prep), and Anthony Kulp (Unionville High), who registered 26 points in just 17 games.

Top Scorers Lost: The Rams will miss two of their top scorers from last season, Anthony DeMario and Owen Goulette, who graduated after stellar collegiate careers. DeMario led the entire ECHC in scoring with 53 points, and Goulette followed closely with 47 points. Both players were key contributors to the team’s success and represented Fordham at the 2024 AAU College Hockey All-Star Challenge.

Returning Defensemen: On defense, Fordham retains six solid defensemen, including Seve Concepcion, Declan Pierce, and Chris Gabriel. With the return of Aidan Graham and Piotr Kszczot, the Rams' defensive corps is well-equipped to provide stability and puck-moving ability from the back end.

New Defensemen: The addition of CJ Soropoulos (Mamaroneck High) strengthens Fordham’s defense. Soropoulos is expected to play a key role in shoring up the Rams' blue line and adding some offensive support.

Goaltending: Fordham’s goaltending remains strong with the return of Daniel Gerts, Charles Borg, and Chase O’Briskie. Gerts was the starter in 18 games last season, leading the team in save percentage, total saves, shutouts, and minutes played. Borg played in 9 games and showed consistency in net, and the addition of Julian Melendez (Morristown-Beard School) provides more depth to the Rams' goaltending options.

Last Season Recap: Fordham had a competitive season last year in DI, advancing to the ECHC Purple Division semifinals after defeating Ramapo College of New Jersey in the qualifying round. However, their run ended with a loss to Farmingdale State College (DI). The Rams entered the National Championships as the 15th seed but were unable to secure a win in pool play. Despite these setbacks, Fordham looks forward to a fresh start in DII and is eager to make an impact in the Black Division.

With a mix of returning talent and key newcomers, Fordham University is poised for a strong season in their new division. The Rams will look to improve upon last season’s results and make a deep playoff run.