Mercy University

Mercy University Athletics
555 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Division 2 New York Northeast

Private Medium Competitive team

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Pedro Velazquez

Pedro Velazquez was named head men's soccer coach on January 5, 2016 and enters his seventh season as head coach in 2023.

The 2022 season saw the Mavericks go 12-3-5 overall and 4-1-3 in ECC play. Mercy won their second ECC Championship in three seasons and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons under Velazquez. The Mavericks hosted their first ever NCAA Tournament game and Velazquez oversaw the development of ECC Defensive Player of the Year Ben Van Buren, ECC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Eirik Elvestad and ECC Rookie of the Year Mathias Schilbred-Eriksen. In total, the Mavericks had nine All-ECC selections and Van Buren, Vasco Baptista and Elvestad received All-Region recognition. The success has not only come on the field but also in the classroom under Velazquez. The program posted a department best 3.72 GPA during the spring 2023 semester and four Mavericks were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

During the 2021 season Velazquez led the Mavericks to a 9-5-2 record overall and 5-2-2 mark in ECC action. Mercy just missed out on qualifying for the ECC Tournament due to a tiebreaker. Under Velazquez's leadership, the Mavericks had four named to the ECC All-Conference Teams and Matthias Kuhn and Pau Echarri were tabbed All-Region. Kuhn was also named All-American, CoSIDA Academic All-American, ECC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and ECC Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

In 2019, Velazquez was named ECC Co-Coach of the Year after leading the Mavericks to a 14-4-3 record and second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Mercy finished with their most wins in a season since 1986 and won the program's first ECC Tournament Championship since 2004. Velazquez also led Mercy to the ECC Regular Season Championship and the Mavericks had a school-record nine named to the ECC All-Conference Teams, highlighted by senior Gaston Rozenblum being named Defensive Player of the Year. Under his leadership, five Mavericks were named All-Region by the United Soccer Coaches and senior Manuel Achondo was named United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American. Sophomore Aaron Denk-Gracia also earned the ECC Men's Soccer Elite 19 Award and he was named CoSIDA Academic All-District.

The 2018 ECC Coach of the Year led the Mavericks to a 13-4-1 record and first NCAA Tournament appearance and win since 1989 in 2018. Velazquez led Mercy to the ECC Tournament for the second straight year and the Mavericks won a share of the ECC Regular Season title for the first time since 1992. He also led the Mavericks to the ECC Championship Game for the first time since 2004 and a No. 25 ranking nationally in the final United Soccer Coaches Poll. Under his leadership, junior Manuel Achondo was named Second Team All-American and five were selected All-Region by the United Soccer Coaches. Six Mavericks were named to the ECC All-Conference teams and Gaston Rozenblum was tabbed Defensive Player of the Year.

After going 9-4-3 in his first year as Head Coach in 2016 and just missing out on the ECC Tournament, Velazquez guided the Mavericks to a 13-5 record in 2017 earning a spot in the ECC Tournament. The 13 wins were the most for the program since 1998 and Mercy qualified for the ECC Tournament for the first time in four years. Under Velazquez's leadership, the Mavericks had a school-record six All-ECC performers and three All-Region selections. Velazquez also oversaw two All-ECAC recipients and the team also excelled in the classroom having been named an ECC Academic Team of Excellence.

Velazquez is no stranger to Dobbs Ferry having served on previous coach Chris Smith’s staff for five seasons after an outstanding playing career as a Maverick. In his first season as a volunteer assistant he proved to be a valuable member of the coaching staff and became the first assistant for the next four seasons.

"I am thrilled to continue the traditions that have been set forth by our alumni and a talented current group of student-athletes. I have always prided myself on the relationships with the players and look forward to developing good men of character both on and off the field," added Velazquez.

"A special thanks to Chris Smith, who always believed in me and ultimately gave me my college coaching start five years ago. I look forward to continuing what we built together and reaching new levels of success."

The resident of Queens was a member of the coaching staff when the Mavericks advanced to the ECC Tournament in back-to-back years during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The former standout goalkeeper for the Mavericks also served as Smith’s lead recruiter where he was responsible for evaluating and contacting for all unofficial and official visits. Additionally, Velazquez assisted with all daily operations of the program, including conducting training sessions and organizing game day warm ups.

“Pedro is an up and coming, energetic, passionate young coach that clearly deserves this opportunity,” stated Kilcullen. “His passion for Mercy College and the development of student-athletes was very evident during the interview process. We look forward to an exciting future for the men’s soccer program with Pedro Velazquez as the head coach.”

"I am truly honored to be named head men's soccer coach at Mercy College,” said Velazquez. "I want to thank Director of Athletics, Matt Kilcullen Jr., and Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Bill Sullivan, for giving me the opportunity to lead this program. Mercy has been my home for the last six years and I have always felt privileged to be involved with this program. Mercy has always been a special place for me and I am excited to take the next step as head coach."

Also, as an assistant for Smith, Velazquez served as the liaison with all departments including PACT, Financial Aid, Housing and Admissions.

Before turning to coaching, Velazquez played for the Mavericks where he ranked in the Top 50 in Division II in saves per game and save percentage, as well as earning ECC Defensive Player of the Week recognition during the 2010 season. Velazquez transferred from Ulster County Community College where in 2007 he posted a goals-against average of 0.42 in 19 games and earned All-Region Second Team honors for the NJCAA National Finalists.

Velazquez graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science from Mercy in 2012 and holds a USSF National D Coaching License. He resides in Queens with his wife Amanda and daughter Lorena.

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Juan Gatti

Juan Gatti joins the Mercy College men's soccer coaching staff ahead of the 2016 season.

Gatti‘s roles will be academic monitoring, assisting with international recruiting and player development - on the field, in the classroom, in their personal lives and within our Mercy Community.

“Through his time here as a player, Juan has shown tremendous passion and leadership. I believe he will have a smooth transition and become a valuable asset to the coaching staff. I look forward to his growth and development within his first year.”

Gatti played three seasons for Mercy College and was the captain in his last two seasons. The Buenos Aires, Argentina native led the team in points in his last two seasons accumulating seven goals and ten assists during his career. He started all 52 games in his career and was named Second Team All-ECC in his senior year. Academically, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Mercy in May 2015 finishing with a 3.97 GPA. He finished his degree as part of the Mercy Honors Program and made it to the dean’s list every year. Gatti currently resides in Tarrytown and is enrolled in the MBA program at Mercy with a concentration in Finance.