Binghamton University Athletics

50th Anniversary of Women's Athletics at Binghamton University

Profile: Maria Fesel, Soccer Player, 1994-97  

Brief: A native of New Hyde Park, N.Y., Fesel played soccer from 1994-97. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology in 1998 and received her master's degree in education from Hofstra University in 2000.

The most decorated soccer player in school history, Fesel was a two-time first team All-American defender, and during her four-year tenure, Binghamton teams won at a 72% clip and enjoyed unprecedented national prominence. She was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. 

Fesel married fellow Binghamton graduate Mike Fiore '97 in 2002 and the couple has a daughter, Isabella (14) and twins Ava and Anthony (12). Maria has been a special education teacher at Great Neck North High School for the last 20 years. The family lives in Syosset, N.Y.



Accomplishments on Fesel's Hall of Fame plaque     
As a freshman forward, Fesel tallied eight goals and five assists for a BU team that won 15 games, captured the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Championship and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation. In her second year, Fesel was moved back to sweeper and proceeded to anchor a defensive unit that posted 12 shutouts and allowed just 10 goals in 19 games. That 1995 team went 12-4-3, captured the program's first outright SUNYAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament.  Fesel was a first team all-conference, all-state, all-region and finally deemed one of the top four defenders in the entire nation with her first team All-America status. Fesel and her 1996 team continued to raise the bar with a record-setting 17-2 season that culminated with a home game in the NCAA tournament round of 16.  She was a repeat first team All-America selection after guiding a defense that limited opponents to eight goals in 19 games.  The team won 16 consecutive games, repeated as SUNYAC champions and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the country. In her senior season, Fesel steered Binghamton to 10 wins and a New York State championship.  She earned first team all-region honors for the third consecutive season. Fesel was named the school's "Athlete of the Year" in both 1995-96 and 1996-97 and also received the Foundation Award in 1998.  

Catching up with Fesel ...

What was your high school sports background and what factors led to you coming to school at Binghamton?
At New Hyde Park Memorial HS, I was the first athlete to play varsity soccer as an eighth grader. This was a bit intimidating, as I was only 13 and some of my teammates were 18.  But the seniors were great and took me right under their wings. Believe or not, I was extremely shy and skinny, and I spent my 7th grade being bullied by upperclassmen. We were not allowed to tryout for sports as 7th graders, so when I made that team as an 8th grader, I gained quite a bit of confidence in myself and the bullying stopped. By 10th grade, I was All-County and 12th grade, I was All-State. In addition to soccer, I played varsity basketball and lacrosse. I was All-County in lacrosse as a 12th grader, and that year, I had the honor of being captain of all three teams. My travel soccer team, though, was really the foundation for my soccer career. My two coaches, Bob Fiston and Andy Concilio, were my first experiences with any type of coach. They had different personalities and the two together made for the perfect combination for teaching 7-year-olds to love the game. I realize now that they were ahead of their times in women's sports. From the formation of that team, they made sure we had the best trainers teaching us the game. We were unique in that we had an extremely talented town team, something that is difficult to find these days, as most top teams are now academy teams comprised of kids from all over. It was a fantastic experience. I had several offers to play D1 soccer, but none of them had the academic reputation that Binghamton had.  In the fall of 12th grade, my dad brought me up to see a Binghamton Women's soccer game. At the end of the game, I watched the team threw a small baby shower for Coach Wilson. The team seemed genuinely happy and the girls were all laughing with each other. I had visited other programs, but none had this kind of familial feeling. I grew up playing for the New Hyde Park Soccer club and my travel team was my family (they still are: my former coach helped to paint my house along with several former teammates, one of whom is the godmother to my daughter). My travel teams were 3-time state champs and we loved each other. I knew that in order to have a successful team, the players have to have a personal connection both on and off the field. That was more important to me than playing at a specific level. I wanted to be part of a family, and I knew I would get that playing at Binghamton.

Your playing era overlapped with the University's decision to embark on its historic NCAA divisional move. What do you remember about that time period?
My years playing at Binghamton were some of the best years of my life. The team was led by Deb Mar, Peg, Nina Shaw, and Tricia, who all had such positive attitudes and genuinely pushed for our practices to be intense. The sophomores would drive the freshmen back up to the dorms and we would all eat together. I spent so much time with the team that I hardly knew anyone who lived on my dorm floor! We were so successful my sophomore year that other teams in the school started coming out to support us, including the men's baseball, swimming, wrestling, and soccer teams. There was a great feeling of school unity among the sport's teams during those times. Our team went to cheer for the women's basketball team, and they came to support us. Our team was ranked nationally and we made it into the NCAA tournament. Several women's teams were doing so well that we started to gain recognition from our professors, as well as our peers. By junior year (1996), new facilities were being built and there was talk of going D1.  It was an extremely exciting time. We went 17-2 that season and were ranked second in the nation. My senior year was a transition year, as we started playing against some D2 teams as the University looked to make the leap. I truly believe the success of the sports teams during those years helped to propel the University towards becoming a D1 program.

As you reflect back ... what remain your fondest memories of being a student-athlete at Binghamton?
Playing in the NCAA tournament was an amazing experience, but my fondest memories were just spending time with my teammates and coaches. Sometimes our bus trips were over 6 hours long and we would just pass the time talking, singing, dancing, and laughing. We were really good soccer players, but we were absolutely terrible dancers. We loved each other so much that we could care less, and we spent most nights just laughing at each other as we tried to top each other with an even worse dance move.  For as much time we spent on the field together, we spent even more time off the field. That feeling of camaraderie is not something you feel again once you leave college sports, and I truly miss it. On the field, my fondest memory was watching Tara DiFlippo save the penalty shot in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament. She was a hell of a goalie and saved us many games. The first time I played sweeper in front of her -- remember I was a midfielder/forward and never played the position before -- we were playing against Mary Washington in Virginia, and  I was scared to death. I screwed up right away and she gave me a look. I will never forget that look!!!  Off the field she had the best laugh and was as sweet as could be. And even though she does not get the credit she deserves, I loved to watch Krissy Guilfoil speed down the wing (as I could from my Sweeper position). Most people do not know this, because she had a ton of injuries, but Krissy was an amazing goal scorer with a killer shot from distance. Living in a house with five other girls was also an amazing experience. I miss spending time with Liz Zucker, Krissy Guilfoil, Laura O’Brien, Corey Grabon, and Shelley Kasbarian. Having five other girls to lean on and receive advice from daily is special.

Are you still involved in the sport of soccer?
I coached both varsity soccer and lacrosse for five years before having my first daughter, Isabella. About seven years ago, I received my National Coaching License. I am currently employed as a professional soccer trainer for the Syosset soccer league, where I work alongside Dave and James Schneider, both Binghamton soccer alumni! I coach a variety of teams from the age of 5-13; there is nothing I love more to do than to teach children the love for the game. My husband is pretty amazing: he does the cooking, laundry, and helps with homework so I can go off and coach in the evenings. He is the best thing that ever happened to me!

Anything else you want to share about the 50th celebration?
To be able to say that I was one of the pioneers that helped lay the groundwork for the amazing program Binghamton has now becoming makes me really proud. We played for the love of the sport and for the love for each other which I only hope we passed on to future generations. My coaches, Dave, Jeff, Marybeth, and Kim all encouraged me throughout my four years and always saw my potential long before I saw it in myself. Of all the accolades I received, the most meaningful to me was being voted team MVP by my teammates. To have their respect and support meant more to me than any award. I only received the awards I received because I was surrounded by 18 other amazing women. Many of those girls did not see much time on the field, yet they showed up to practice every day, worked their butts off, and did not complain. Those are the women I have the most respect for.

Lastly, the most influential people in my life are my parents. My mother grew up in Brooklyn and never played a sport a day in her life. But when my brother started playing soccer and I asked to play, too, she did not hesitate (even though my Italian grandmother told her sports were only for boys). My parents spent hours on the soccer field (often in the rain), traveling up and down the East Coast to a variety of tournaments and games for years. My mom pushed me to go away to college so I would have the experience she was never able to have. I owe everything I achieved, both on and off the field, to them.