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Emily Pickering: The Best of the Best!!
By Pat Grecco
Emily Pickering should be considered a pioneer of Women's Soccer in the United States; she was one of the first and one of the best ever to play on Long Island, New York State, University of North Carolina, nationally and internationally. I have documented below some of her Soccer accomplishments as a youth player, Varsity Player, Collegiate Player, Women's National Team Player and Professional Player both nationally and internationally.
Emily began playing Soccer on Long Island in the early 1970s, playing in-house or Intramural Soccer with the Massapequa Soccer Club, coached by Vera Bradley (wife of Gordon Bradley) and Lisa Gozley, (mother of Lisa Gozley) famous Soccer families. Emily also played for Jack Bauman, father of Women's Soccer on the Massapequa Thunderbirds; later, she played for Peter Till and Jerry Wagstaff. There was no National Championship until Emily's senior year in high school. She won four Eastern Regional Championships, in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980. In her senior year, A. G. Berner High School formed a Girls' Soccer Team and they were New York State Champions. Prior to that, there was no opportunity for women in high school to play Varsity Soccer.
 Left to right: Suzy Cobb Germain, Joni Dunlop-Seivald,
Emily accepted a scholarship from Anson Dorrance to play at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Emily and long-time teammate Mary Varas were the first from the Long Island region to actually win scholarships to attend college for Women's Soccer. Mary went on to play at the University of Central Florida. These scholarships were a direct result of the passing of title nine in 1972. The rest is history.
I strongly believe that Emily Pickering is one of the first great women players from New York and some may say Emily was the Best of the Best! She is among the great and her achievements are numerous and she has made a direct impact on Women's Soccer nationally and internationally.
Keith Arce: Man on a Mission
By Pat Grecco
Keith Arce is a legendary Goalkeeper who just about everyone knew or heard of back in the late 1980s and 1990s. This story begins with Brentwood Soccer Club and moves from Wantagh-Seaford Soccer Club, Long Island Select, to Saint John the Baptist High School, Eastern New York ODP, Northport Soccer Club, then to Spartanburg Methodist College, and Dowling College where ultimately he became one of the Long Island Rough-Riders, a Professional Soccer Organization. Later on, Keith became a member of the New York City Police Department, one of New York's Finest.
Keith, a '74 boy, began playing for Brentwood Soccer Club, first intramural and then moving on to the travel team, under -10, Brentwood Bruins coached by Bob Lopez. Keith always played Goalie. That became his position and the only position he ever wanted; always a go-to guy even as a young boy. Keith then moved onto the Brentwood Strikers coached by John Miklitsch; the dream playing at the higher level brought the opportunity for a three-player move from Brentwood to Wantagh-Seaford Soccer Club where he played for Ruben Martinez on the "Cosmos."
Through his early Soccer exposure, Keith trained with some of the best GK professionals on Long Island; among them were John Szaro, Chris Low, and Eddie Shifferstein. Keith mentioned that there was a, "ton of talent among the young GK's." To name a few: Sal Fontana, Tom Henske, Paul Grayfer, Eddie Jacobson, and Keith Arce.
In 1989, a new adventure began for Keith Arce. He tried out for Long Island Select and made the team coached by Jim Felix. A great experience, playing at the higher level and traveling to such places as Nomad Tournament in California. Another dream realized when Keith made the Eastern New York State Olympic Development Team, coached by Alfonse Mondello.
While all this transpired, Keith began his freshman year at Saint John the Baptist High School, playing for renowned coach Tom Bouklas. Keith arrived at SJB just at the right time. Chris Low, four-year Varsity GK had graduated and Keith began his four-year role as Varsity GK, following in Low's footsteps. During his four years at SJB Keith played with and against true Soccer legends: Chris Armas, Rich Flame, Sean Friel, Eric Quinn, Rob Caputo, and Vinnie Marcotrigiano, just to name a few. During Keith's four years at SJB, SJB became the Catholic High School Athletic Association Champions.
One event really stands out in Keith's memory: '91 season, final game against Saint Anthony's High School; prior to the game four starters were involved in a car accident, which immediately placed SJB in the underdog position. Vinny Marcotrigiano refused to miss the game and played at kick-off. Saint John's won the game in overtime, Coach Bouklas gave the MVP of the game to Vinny though Coach Bouklas said if he could give two MVP's, Keith would get the honor and so named Keith Honorable Mention MVP of the game. Good things come for those who wait and at the end of season Soccer Banquet Keith Arce was named Most Valuable Player for 1991.
Keith's senior year at SJB was the best he claims, "a great year," playing against nationally ranked Saint Benedict's High School of New Jersey. Yes, the same school that Tony Meola and Claudio Reyna played at earlier. In '92 Saint Johns' 1, Saint Benedict's 1, they had met the test. The season ended in a shoot-out against Chaminade High School, each team being declared Co-Champions, and Keith Arce named Co-MVP. Tom Bouklas said, "1993 at Saint John the Baptist was definitely our championship season, being ranked #1 nationally. In part made possible by Keith Arce, who helped prepare the younger players, with his big brother persona. Keith was really a good player, who valued team camaraderie. I believe his tremendous work ethic parlayed his growth in a loving and hard working family. He was one of those kids that you knew would someday give back to the game."
Keith discussed his future with Coach Bouklas who said he could play at a D-I or D-II; academic challenges gave Keith a detour, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He went to Spartanberg Methodist College in South Carolina, a NJCAA school, where Pete Peterson coached. High quality videos that were prepared by Coach Bouklas caught the eye of Coach Peterson who offered Keith a scholarship and starting position for the Pioneers. An early season injury side-lined Keith though he worked hard academically and transferred to Dowling College, yes back to Long Island. In the meantime, Keith met the future Mrs. Arce, Darlene, who also transferred to Dowling College with a Softball Scholarship.
Enter John Dirico, Head Coach at Dowling College looking to build a strong D-II Program, starting at the back and working forward. Keith accepted a scholarship. Coach Dirico was formerly an assistant at Saint John the Baptist, he knew quality players and after recruiting Keith he brought in Keith's former teammate, Rich Flame and a few other transfers. Keith made his mark at Dowling, was able to play four years there, after being declared a red shirt while at Spartanberg. He received individual honors with the best goals-against average in the conference and selected to All-Northeast First Team. Keith graduated and there were more dreams to come true.
Coach Dirico said, "Keith served as a key member of the Dowling teams of the mid-nineties. His performances in goal and helped turn the Dowling Men's Soccer Program. He laid the foundation of today's program. It was my privilege to coach Keith here at Dowling and be associated with such a fine young man and his wonderful family."
Could there possibly be more? Yes, of course—a professional opportunity and contract to play on the Long Island Rough-Riders receiving Coach Paul Riley. While with the Rough-Riders, with encouragement from his Dad, Keith took the test for the New York City Police Department and within six months joined the ranks of New York's Finest. During his early years on the NYPD he coached with Mike Gallagher at Chaminade High School, and so a phase of his Soccer life began as a coach.
Coach Gallagher spoke very highly and Keith: "I met Keith when I was an Assistant at Dowling in or around 1993-1995. Coming from South Carolina with wife and baby, his family was spiritually strong and at age 19, Keith had an instant family when others were just enjoying the freedom of being out of the house. His Mom and Dad made sure he finished his education, so Keith pushed hard academically and athletically. We would have a game day ritual when Keith would sleep at my house prior to matches, because the newborn would keep him up all night. His routine resembled something out of a movie. He would layout his uniform, gloves and shoes, and fall sleep watching 'World's Greatest Saves video,' then proceeded to play. In 1998, I took a coaching job at Chaminade High School, Keith acted as my Assistant. He helped our keepers get into quality College Programs. Keith is the genuine article, after he puts his 20 in with NYPD, I can see his second career as a full time Soccer Coach."
Keith served with the 10th Precinct in Manhattan for 10 years, and on that infamous day, September 11th was at the station house when the call came that America had been attacked, and spent many days at Ground Zero.
Currently, Keith is a viable member of the Emergency Service Unit also known as SWAT, and has been with this unit since 2005. He also coaches at his Alma Mater, Saint John the Baptist where he is the Goalkeeper Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach. Wife Darlene is a Suffolk County Police Officer and they have three beautiful children.
Always the constant in Keith's life in addition to Soccer, his parents Tina and Bob Arce, good Soccer people from the word go. |
