The boys’ varsity soccer team recently celebrated 100 career victories of head coach Paul Paniccia.
William Floyd boys’ varsity soccer head coach Paul Paniccia recently reached a personal milestone – his 100th career victory – in a 3-1 road victory over North Babylon. In the game, the Colonials offense was fueled by a tremendous effort from senior Derlis Aguilar, who recorded a first half hat trick in the win. Junior and 2025 Newsday top 100 selection Christian Jones also had a great game, recording two assists. Senior goaltenders Myles Von Brook and Kevin Ramos combined for nine total saves to secure Coach Paniccia’s 100th win.
“Coach Paniccia has been the bedrock of the boys’ varsity soccer program since he took over the program in 2012,” said Brian Babst, athletic director, William Floyd School District. “Through his hard work, dedication and steadfast leadership, the boys’ soccer program has become a perennially successful program helping to develop an amazing group of student athletes along the way. Congratulations to Coach Paniccia on this milestone.”
Coach Paul Paniccia (right) with assistant coach Desmond Megna recently celebrated 100 career victories.
In 2015, Coach Paniccia led the Colonials back to the playoffs for the first time in 24 years, the first season of 10 consecutive playoff berths (2015-2024). This included an incredible 2019 campaign that saw the Colonials finish with a 10-4-3 record and advance all the way to the semifinal round of the Section XI playoffs. The Colonials have made the semifinals twice in the past 10 years.
Desmond Megna, a former student-athlete who was a member of that last playoff team in 1992 and now serves as the assistant coach, has been with Coach Paniccia every step of the way since taking the helm in 2012. “Under Paul’s guidance and hard work, he was able to build a winning culture that culminated in our first playoff appearance in 24 years,” he said, noting how they won their first playoff game that year and recounting how Paul led the team to the county semifinals twice during that time. “This win signifies a sense of pride in a program that needed an infusion of it,” he added. “Paul’s work is tireless and he has given so much to make this program what it is today.” Assistant coach Megna also serves as the head coach of the boys’ varsity lacrosse team and reached the 100-win milestone for that program last spring.
Coach Paniccia, who also serves as a Leveled Literacy lnterventionist teacher at Tangier Smith Elementary School and Dean of Students, shared in his own words what this program has meant to him.
My coaching journey began in 2012 with about 14 players trying out for the team. Coach Megna also helped by recruiting a few players from his lacrosse program to help build the team. Due to the small number of players and my initial lack of varsity coaching experience, I was committed to strengthening the program. While I often wondered if we could become competitive or even win games, last night’s experience confirmed that I made the right choice.
I was especially moved by the young players, some of whom had only been [just] born when I started coaching, congratulating me and Coach Megna. Parents took photos and made a banner to honor us. I received heartfelt messages from several former players – three from my first season – David Rivera, goalie Brandon Geraghty, and Kevin Quituizaca, who helped us achieve our first win. That season, we finished with a record of 1-15, having been 0-15 before our final game against Sachem North. In that game, tied in overtime, Kevin asked if he could wear a Spiderman mask if he scored, and he did, celebrating by running off with the mask. Now, 14 years later, with 99 more wins, we stay in touch. Brandon recently got married, David is coaching professionally, and Kevin owns a pool service business.
There are so many stories and players who helped us reach 100 wins, and everyone contributed, but it was nice to reach that milestone with these boys, my assistant coaches, and friends Tony Guma and Mike Podstupka, who put in endless hours practicing and mentoring these boys. And of course, my longtime coaching partner who was there from the beginning, Coach Megna. These coaches and players seemed to want that 100th win more than I did, and that’s what makes this milestone special.
This district and community have been very good to me and my family. They took a chance on me 25 years ago as a young teacher and then stuck with me to earn 100 wins as a varsity coach. It just makes me want to give back even more. I may not be able to reach another 100 wins, but I’d love to be on the sideline when the next coach does.
On a personal note, my two sons, Sebastian and Darius, followed the team, Coach Megna, and I, to every game to witness this milestone. Both boys played and graduated from William Floyd, Sebastian in 2019 and Darius in 2023, and they were present for the 100th win.
Congratulations, Coach Paniccia!