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| Springfield athletics photo |
By Brian Lester
D3sports.com
Springfield coach Mike Cerasuolo has a connection to Ithaca, which is this week’s opponent for the Pride in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
More than two decades ago, he spent time with the Bombers as a grad assistant, coaching the defensive line. It was his first experience as a coach after a standout career as a football player at Springfield.
He laughs when the past is brought up, but he is certainly thankful for the opportunity he had back then and what it has led to now in his career.
“That was a long time ago,” Cerasuolo said. “The experience there was unbelievable. It was my first time ever coaching, and that was great, but it was many years ago. I’m fortunate to have the guys that I do now as we get ready to go back up there.”
Springfield is headed into its matchup against the 10th-ranked team in the nation in the D3football.com poll riding the high of a 17-10 grind-it-out kind of win over No. 22 Endicott last Saturday.
The Pride rolled up 321 yards on the ground and kept possession of the ball for a little more than 35 minutes against the Gulls as they improved to 9-2 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Offensive lineman and team captain Lou Cocozza, a D3football.com All-American in 2021, was one of the keys to that success on the ground, and as he points out, the little things added up in the end.
“Defensively, we were able to make the stops we needed to make to give us a chance, and offensively, we converted on some key third and fourth downs to push us ahead,” Cocozza said. “At the end of the day, we just worked a little harder and dug a little deeper, and we were able to grind out a great win.”
Defensive lineman Michael Casinelli, who also happens to be a team captain, said it meant a lot to be able to push past the Gulls and keep this season going.
“It was a very special moment for us,” Casinelli said. “Since freshman year our goal was to make it to Thanksgiving, and now it’s reality. We have a special group of people and we are doing a special thing.”
Not everything has come easy for Springfield this season. The Pride dropped back-to-back games in September, losing 38-35 to Rowan and 21-6 to Union that left them with a 1-2 record.
Springfield has rattled off eight consecutive wins since then, with two of its last three games decided by three points or less. That includes a 16-14 win over MIT at the beginning of November.
This is a group that just keeps pushing forward no matter what it encounters.
“It’s the resiliency week in and week out,” Cerasuolo said. “We were tested early in the season and battled back from a couple of tough losses. We’ve reeled off a bunch of good wins, and some quality wins down the stretch.”
And the Pride doesn’t want the run to stop now.
“I tell the guys let’s play one more week. That’s the mantra right now,” Cerasuolo said. “Our kids have worked extremely hard and they love each other. When you have the components of attitude, effort and execution, and a care for each other, you are going to do some good things. We’ve been able to do that.”
Determination has also been important. For veteran players like Cocozza and Casinelli, this chance to still play football is what they have been working hard for.
“A lot of us looked at each other late in the year and said this is why we are here,” Cocozza said. “Not only for the chance to win the NEWMAC and to go to the playoffs, but to have Thanksgiving together. We have a special group and we want to play together as long as we can.”
Casinelli said the team’s belief in each other has proven valuable, especially as of late.
“It’s all about the mindset and the common goals we have,” Casinelli said. “We all believe and we are in this together.”
Cerasuolo wouldn’t have it any other way. This is his seventh season as the head coach of his alma mater and getting to coach the program he played for means a little more.
“It’s been surreal since the day I stepped foot back on campus,” Cerasuolo said. “The names change, but the faces don’t. It’s still the same type of kid that we’ve had at Springfield forever. The type of kids I love to coach. I’m very fortunate to have this position and be in this position. I never take it for granted.”
And now Springfield will try to extend its playoff run for at least one more week. Cerasulo is ready to see what his team can do on Saturday afternoon.
“We know we are facing a great opponent. They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. But we are pretty good as well,” Cerasuolo said. “We’re going to line up and play hard and play fast and see how it plays out. These kids will work hard on the field. It’s a great opportunity for us and we’re going to work this week to put ourselves in the best position to have success.”
Casinelli added there is no question the Pride will put forth its best effort as it takes aim at another postseason win.
“At the end of the day, we want to go 1-0 on every rep and every drill, and in every game,” Casinelli said. “We are going to put our best foot forward and we are going to do everything we can to try to win this game.”
That includes playing with the attitude that nothing will be left on the field.
“We are going to make sure the attitude and effort is there. That’s something we hang our hat on at the end of the day,” Cocozza said. “When we watch our film, we want to see great attitude and great effort, and when we play as one team, good things happen. The wins come when those things happen.”