Lawson Bolsters Women's Soccer With The Addition of Sequeira and Loschiavo

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's soccer program welcomes its first members of the Class of 2021 as both Deserae Sequeira and Lisa Loschiavo made their financial deposits and signed their NCAA celebratory form to join the Bears this fall.

Sequeira (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) is a forward from Cedar Stars Academy, N.J. During a senior campaign where she captained her high school to the 2016 Union County Conference, Valley Division Championship, Sequeira scored 34 goals and nine assists. She was named a New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association (NJGSCA) Sectional Recognition All-Star Player, Union County Girls Soccer Coaches Association (UCGSA) Valley Division All-Star, and UCGSCA All-Conference All-Star. The 2016 Crusaders Soccer MVP amassed an impressive 67 goals scored and 22 assists over her varsity career.

At the club level, Sequeira capped a memorable year with five separate first-place championships at the National Elite Women's Soccer Showcase, EDP Cup Fall Showcase, Bethesda Premier Cup College Showcase, National Cup XV Mid-Atlantic Regionals, and EDP Memorial Classic Tournament. Off the pitch, the high honor roll student-athlete is heavily involved in extracurricular activities and is a Key Club member and chair of magazine donations. Sequeira is also member of the St. Agnes Youth Group, and junior volunteer at her local hospital. 

"Deserae is a striker of the highest caliber," said head coach Gary Lawson. "She's an exciting goal scorer, and I am delighted she has chosen SJC. From the first moment we watched Deserae play, we believed she perfectly represented the future of the SJC women's soccer program. Deserae is an impressive young, dedicated student-athlete, mature beyond her years, devoted to soccer excellence, and compassionate with her teammates. She has a bright future ahead, and we are so happy it will be with us in Brooklyn."

"I've always loved New York and SJC had everything I was looking for as a student-athlete," remarked Sequeira. "I was so impressed when I arrived at SJC for the campus and soccer program tour to meet the entire coaching team and both captains! I immediately sensed the passion and commitment of everyone to the Bears. I am planning to major in business and SJC's academic opportunities are amazing."

Loschiavo (Malverne, N.Y./Valley Stream North) comes to SJC with good defensive pedigree. Having won All-Conference honors in 2014 and 2015, she was awarded All-Class Nassau County in 2016. She was a four-year varsity athlete for Valley Stream North H.S., with two goals and 15 assists, and was the captain in her senior year. In club soccer, she was the recipient of five Long Island Junior Soccer League titles, and represented Valley Stream Soccer Club. Loschiavo's talents extend to the classroom, and she was part of the 2016 Career & Technical Education Honor Society, and received the 2016 Outstanding Physical Education Student Award. 

"Lisa exemplifies two of the character traits desired in student-athletes," said Coach Lawson. "Not only is she defensively strong on the pitch, but she is hardworking and persistent in every thing she does off the pitch too. I feel Lisa can play anywhere across the back four, and is a versatile and determined defender. She has also has the ability to provide good service into our attacking players as demonstrated from her high school and club career. She believes in our Bears program, and we all believe this ambitious student-athlete will thrive at SJC."

"College is always something I looked forward to, but seemed so far in the future," commented Loschiavo. "I always thought I wanted to go someplace far away, but after meeting Coach Lawson and being introduced to a little gem in my own backyard, I realized St. Joseph's College is where I want to be. Not only for the academics but the opportunity to realize my dream of playing college soccer."

Sequeira and Loschiavo represent Coach Lawson's first recruits to the Bears during his tenure, and he expects it to be the first of many before the start of the 2017 season.