McNair Academic’s DePierro enjoys unbelievable scoring streak
Alberico DePierro. Just the name rolls off the tongue like a famous Italian movie star, like Marcello Mastroianni or Roberto Benigni. It’s a name that sounds like it belongs in lights on a movie marquee, instead of the sports pages.
Maybe it’s a name of a famous head of Italian state, like an ambassador or a prime minister. Or an opera star, one-third of the "Three Tenors," along side Pavarotti and Placido.
One thing is for sure: perhaps no one in local sports circles recognized the name a year ago, but everyone in the soccer community throughout the state of New Jersey is talking about the talented McNair Academic senior with the melodic name. Because DePierro has been on an absolute scoring tear of late, knocking home goals in a fashion never before seen, certainly not on a local level. He’s scored 22 goals in seven games, all McNair victories. But what’s more startling is that DePierro has collected at least three goals in all seven games, including six straight games when he’s scored exactly the three-goal hat trick.
Even DePierro is stunned by the scoring explosion.
"It does seem a little amazing at times," DePierro said. "I really haven’t had much time to truly think about it, because we keep playing game after game. But when I have thought about it a little, it really is something special. I just hope I keep it going."
McNair Academic coach Nick Cipriano has been around the Hudson County soccer scene for more than a decade and he’s never experienced anything quite like it.
"To be honest, we’ve never before had a player this talented," Cipriano said. "There are times that I turned to my assistant, Tom Macagnano, and I asked him, ‘How did he do that?’ I can’t believe some of the things he’s done."
The scoring streak enabled DePierro to be selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
After opening the season with four goals against Marist, DePierro has scored exactly three goals in each of the last six games – a remarkable streak, helped in part by Cipriano’s coaching style.
"Once a player scores three goals, I either take him out of the game or move him to defense," Cipriano said.
Because without that personal coaching philosophy, there’s no telling how many goals DePierro might have.
"The first thing some people might think when they see his goal totals is that he’s selfish with the ball, but that’s not the case," Cipriano said. "I yell at him sometimes for passing when he should be shooting. But he just makes things happen out there."
DePierro was a key contributor for the Cougars a year ago, scoring 24 goals in 12 games, leading the Cougars to the HCIAA Seglio title game.
But the senior returned this season with a different sense of purpose.
"I practiced harder over the summer," DePierro said. "Plus, I knew that if I wanted to become a better player, I knew I would have to use both feet more. My father [Giovanni] told me that I needed to use my left foot more. If I utilized both feet, it would be more difficult for opponents to stop me."
"He does have a lot of power with both feet," Cipriano said. "He’s always had the talent. I think it was a question of when to use what foot, when to switch feet, when to switch field direction. Because of it, he’s become a better all-around player."
Cipriano also thinks that DePierro has become more of a thinker on the field.
"He definitely came to camp more focused and more mature this year," Cipriano said. "He’s much more of a leader. He’s telling kids who never played the game before where to go, and I attribute that success to Alberico. He’s constantly communicating on the field and that has been a big help."
It also has enabled DePierro to collect 10 assists, to go along with his 22 goals.
Despite the success, Cipriano said that DePierro is still the same enjoyable young man.
"What’s even more amazing than the goals is the way he handles himself," Cipriano said. "He doesn’t think that he’s anything special and never focuses any attention upon himself. He is a very modest player and that makes him even more attractive."
"Scoring a lot of goals doesn’t really matter to me, as long as we win," DePierro said. "I don’t care if I don’t score a single goal. Winning is more important."
However, DePierro knows that if he doesn’t score, the Cougars’ chances for winning decrease immensely.
"Hopefully, I can just keep it going," DePierro said. "I think it’s helped to build my confidence, knowing that if I did it the last game, then I can definitely do it the next game."
DePierro is also a fine student and hopes to play soccer in college. A few schools have expressed moderate interest.
"I’d love to play soccer in college, but it’s not the only focus," DePierro said. "I’d like to major in history or perhaps pre-law."
And perhaps becomes an attorney someday like his father.
"I’ve always wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father," DePierro said. "I’ve wanted to do that since I was a little boy."
"He can do whatever he wants," Cipriano said. "He’s a great kid, well-mannered and respectful. And on the field, he produces so much."
Like no one ever before or perhaps ever again. He’s the King of the Hat Tricks, the kid with the movie star name. Chances are that Alberico DePierro will see his name in lights for other accomplishments down the road.