University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Photo by: Adrian Etheridge
Mennell Adds Bulldog Standout LaCasto as Volunteer Assistant Coach
08.16.2019 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville head men's soccer coach Mathes Mennell has added former Bulldog standout Joe LaCasto to his staff as a volunteer assistant coach, Mennell announced, Friday, August 16.
LaCasto graduated from UNC Asheville in May 2019 after playing four seasons for the Bulldogs as a midfielder. He was a regular in the lineup during his career, appearing in 73 games and starting 58, including all 17 contests of his senior season.
"It's awesome to have players who want to go into this profession and for us to have the opportunity for someone who's certainly intimately familiar with our process join the staff," Mennell said. "Adding someone to our staff that really understands what, how, where and why we do what we do is great.
"Joe was a fantastic student-athlete here and certainly has the respect of all the players. I think he'll add a lot of quality to the staff, and we're excited about this opportunity for him."
A native of Huntington Beach, California, LaCasto earned distinction on the Big South All-Academic Team as a junior and senior and was selected as the Bulldog Award Winner for men's soccer at the 2017 ASHPYS.
As a team captain during his senior campaign, LaCasto earned the second-most playing time for the Bulldogs, recording 1,410 minutes on the pitch. He scored one goal on the season and had a pair of assists, including a helper on the game-winning goal on the road against Wofford. He also was named to the UNCW SpringHill Suites Classic All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the event.
As a junior, he scored a career-best two goals during the season, including one to help preserve a 2-2 draw against Big South Conference-foe Presbyterian. He burst onto the scene as a freshman, starting 16-of-19 contests, notching one goal and piling up five assists, finishing second on the team with seven points.
"I'm excited to get going, and extremely happy the season is here," LaCasto said. "The coaches are giving me the opportunity to come on staff as a volunteer assistant and kind of get my foot in the door. Working for Mick (Giordano), Matt (Tellez) and Coach Mennell, they're all great coaches and people I feel I can learn a lot from."
LaCasto and the Bulldogs kick off the exhibition portion of their season with the annual Blue and White Game, an intrasquad scrimmage scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, at Greenwood Soccer Field. The Bulldogs then host East Tennessee in a 6 p.m., Monday exhibition and Marshall in a 3:30 p.m., Friday exhibition – both at home – before beginning the regular season at Navy, Friday, August 30.
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LaCasto graduated from UNC Asheville in May 2019 after playing four seasons for the Bulldogs as a midfielder. He was a regular in the lineup during his career, appearing in 73 games and starting 58, including all 17 contests of his senior season.
"It's awesome to have players who want to go into this profession and for us to have the opportunity for someone who's certainly intimately familiar with our process join the staff," Mennell said. "Adding someone to our staff that really understands what, how, where and why we do what we do is great.
"Joe was a fantastic student-athlete here and certainly has the respect of all the players. I think he'll add a lot of quality to the staff, and we're excited about this opportunity for him."
A native of Huntington Beach, California, LaCasto earned distinction on the Big South All-Academic Team as a junior and senior and was selected as the Bulldog Award Winner for men's soccer at the 2017 ASHPYS.
As a team captain during his senior campaign, LaCasto earned the second-most playing time for the Bulldogs, recording 1,410 minutes on the pitch. He scored one goal on the season and had a pair of assists, including a helper on the game-winning goal on the road against Wofford. He also was named to the UNCW SpringHill Suites Classic All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the event.
As a junior, he scored a career-best two goals during the season, including one to help preserve a 2-2 draw against Big South Conference-foe Presbyterian. He burst onto the scene as a freshman, starting 16-of-19 contests, notching one goal and piling up five assists, finishing second on the team with seven points.
"I'm excited to get going, and extremely happy the season is here," LaCasto said. "The coaches are giving me the opportunity to come on staff as a volunteer assistant and kind of get my foot in the door. Working for Mick (Giordano), Matt (Tellez) and Coach Mennell, they're all great coaches and people I feel I can learn a lot from."
LaCasto and the Bulldogs kick off the exhibition portion of their season with the annual Blue and White Game, an intrasquad scrimmage scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, at Greenwood Soccer Field. The Bulldogs then host East Tennessee in a 6 p.m., Monday exhibition and Marshall in a 3:30 p.m., Friday exhibition – both at home – before beginning the regular season at Navy, Friday, August 30.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Men's SoccerMonday, November 13
Monday, November 06
Monday, November 06
Monday, October 30