STEVE DEMATTEO

Head Men's Soccer Coach

Steve DeMatteo was named TCNJ's men's soccer head coach in March of 2025.

DeMatteo becomes just the third full-time head coach for the program since 1982, and the first since the retirement of George Nazario, who coached the team from 1995 to 2023. P.J. Ringel '21 served as interim coach for the 2024 campaign.

"I am extremely honored and excited to become the Head Men's Soccer Coach at The College of New Jersey," DeMatteo said. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Liz Shatkus and the entire search committee for entrusting me with this incredible position. Throughout the process I felt a strong connection with the college and athletic department, and have full belief in the men's soccer program. I am very eager and excited to work with our men's soccer student-athletes, as I am committed to their development both on and off the field.

"TCNJ Men's Soccer has a fantastic history and tradition of success that I know many are very proud of. I am excited to engage with our proud alumni, and work tirelessly with our players, staff, and support staff to create an extremely special culture and environment that can provide a platform for the program to compete at a high standard. My family and I are very much looking forward to becoming a part of the TCNJ community."

DeMatteo comes to Ewing after six seasons as the top assistant at Penn, where he helped the Quakers become a mainstay on the national stage. Penn won the last three Ivy League regular-season championships, which was the first three-peat in program history. The 2024 Penn team were a perfect 7-0-0 in Ivy League play and were the No. 6 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. DeMatteo has been part of a coaching staff at Penn that has been recognized with Ivy League Coach of the Year Honors for the past 3 seasons, and United Soccer Coaches Regional Staff of the Year honors twice during that time.

DeMatteo began his playing career at Drew before spending his last three seasons at William Paterson. He started 45 of his 46 appearances for the Pioneers, scoring eight goals and tacking on five assists. He remains tied for the program's all-time lead in both starts and matches played in a season, starting all 22 appearances in 2008 for the ECAC Metro Tournament champions. Additionally, in 2010 DeMatteo played 1 season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) for the New Jersey based club NJ Blaze.

DeMatteo currently holds licenses from the United States Soccer Federation as well as the United Soccer Coaches Association.

"I am thrilled to announce Steve DeMatteo as the next head men's soccer coach at TCNJ," Shatkus said. "Steve is a driven leader who understands the importance of establishing a great culture and has a deep passion for the game with strong roots in New Jersey. I am confident that he will lead the program to success while continuing to build upon the program's tradition of excellence and guiding our student-athletes on and off the pitch."

VINCENZO PUGLIESE

Assistant Men's Soccer Coach

Vincenzo Pugliese joined new head coach Steve DeMatteo's staff in the spring of 2025.

Pugliese was a standout at Rutgers, where he made 36 appearances with 26 starts in the midfield and served as team captain in 2021. From there, he went on to play for VSK Aarhus of the Danish 3rd Division during the 2021-22 season, and currently plays for Real Central NJ of USL League Two (USL2).

Pugliese is a club coach at Match Fit Academy in the ECNL. Prior to TCNJ, he served as an assistant coach for three seasons at The Peddie School, helping to lead the varsity boys team to the New Jersey Prep-A semifinals in 2022. He holds a 'B' license from the U.S. Soccer Federation and recently earned his UEFA 'C' diploma through the Scottish FA.