Adelphi University Athletics

Carlo Acquista completed his 11th season at the helm of the Adelphi University men's soccer team in 2017, having successfully led the Panthers from the Division I ranks to Division II in the second reclassification period in program history.

In recent seasons, the Panthers built themselves into a Division II stronghold under Acquista's direction. In the first four seasons, the team never missed the NE10 playoffs, making two semifinal and two championship appearances -- including the program's first NE10 title in 2016. The Panthers returned to the regional final in 2017, marking the first time that the program appeared in three straight NCAA Tournaments since 1990-92.

The team made its first NCAA appearance in nine years, and first under Acquista, in 2015 before winning the program's first regional crown in modern history in 2016, when the team set program records for both wins (19) and shutouts (13). 

For their efforts, Acquista and his assistant coaches were named the NSCAA Division II East Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2016. He was also named both the NE10 and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017. 

In Acquista’s first six years at the helm, he oversaw the final Division I seasons for the team in the now-defunct Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) and as an independent. In this time, the squad claimed two ASC Tournament titles in 2009 and 2010 while reaching the playoffs in all five years. Acquista was honored as the ASC Coach of the Year three times, in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

In his Adelphi career, Acquista coached over four dozen All-Conference players across Division I and Division II, two dozen All-Region honorees and nearly a dozen All-Americans across the NSCAA, United Soccer Coaches' Association and Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) ranks. 

Acquista came to Adelphi from St. Francis College (NY), where he held the position of head coach for five seasons. During that time, Acquista had his strongest season in 2004, guiding the Terriers to an 8-9-1 record and a fifth-place finish in the Northeast Conference, including wins over Vermont, Stony Brook and Monmouth.

A graduate of St. John’s University in 2000, Acquista was a four-year member of the Red Storm men’s soccer team. He helped St. John’s capture an NCAA Division I national title in 1996 and also had a hand in two Big East Championship teams.

Acquista's Year-by-Year Coaching Record
2007 - (Division I) 4-11-3; ASC Semifinals
2008 - (Division I) 12-6; ASC Finalists
2009 - (Division I) 13-2-4; ASC Champions
2010 - (Division I) 11-6-3; ASC Champions
2011 - (Division I) 8-9-2; ASC Finalists
2012 - (Division I) 3-13
2013 - (Division II) 11-7; NE10 Semifinals
2014 - (Division II) 12-6-1; NE10 Semifinals
2015 - (Division II) 13-5-2; NE10 Finalists; NCAA First Round
2016 - (Division II) 19-1-2; NE10 Champions; NCAA East Region Champions; NCAA National Quarterfinals
2017 - (Division II) 14-3-2; NE10 Quarterfinals; NCAA East Regional Final
TOTAL: 11 Seasons; 2 ASC Titles; 1 ASC Final; 1 NE10 Title; 1 NE10 Final; 3 NCAA Appearances