Tar Devils SC One Win Away from UPSL Title Triumph
Conversation with founder Alessandro Racioppi ahead of final.
This Sunday, Chapel Hill’s Tar Devils Sporting Club will host Liberty Arsenal at Herndon Championship Field. The game will mark the UPSL Mid-Atlantic Division 1 Final.
After we featured a piece on the Tar Devils in advance of their maiden season back in August; the Southeast Soccer Report’s Calum Ewing recently spoke with Devils’ founder and player Alessandro Racioppi (on December 3) about their season so far and their upcoming playoff final this Sunday.
Can you tell us how your season has gone since we last spoke?
Racioppi: Undefeated! We are regular season champions for the Mid-Atlantic D1. Our record is 8 wins, 1 tie, 0 losses. The only tie was when Mint Hill brought their premier team guys to play us at their home, a game we could have won nonetheless. Very proud of the players and their commitment this season. Going undefeated on our opening season is no small feat!
This is an important point. After dominating the North Carolina State League and other local leagues since 2021, the Tar Devils only made the jump to the UPSL this Fall. Their dominating steamrolling of the Mid-Atlantic was unprecedented.
Racioppi: The proudest part for me is our defensive record. It goes to show how much work the team puts in to fight for each other. Our goal differential at this point is 27 goals for, 3 against. I believe the next best defense and team has 13 goals against. We have 3 goals against the whole UPSL season. I believe based on last 5 years we are on track to potentially set the Mid-Atlantic Division 1 league record if we keep it up!
Of course, since Alessandro spoke to the Southeast Soccer Report, the Devils went on to win their last regular season game, beating bottom-of-the-table Rush United 6-1 at home. They finished, with 9 wins and a goal difference of +29, on 28 points, twelve ahead of second-place River City.
What results stood out this season?
Racioppi: Our biggest results would have to be the ones against our closest competitors. Early in the season we faced a Liberty team that has consistently wanted to take their best game to us, we had a great 4-1 win. Then came River City, the next closest team at the time. We won 3-0 against a direct competitor. Then came Combine Academy, closest at the time…we won 2-0. Then ILM came up, we won 4-0. I wouldn’t pick one result per se, but I would say that any time a direct competitor challenged us, we won convincingly!
Another result to be noted since this interview is the Tar Heels’ triumph as Carolinas Cup Champions, the amateur soccer State Cup tournament for North and South Carolina. Winning their group stage matches against USL2’s Tobacco Road FC, UPSL Premier’s Gastonia FC, and FC Boone, the club won the final 4-1 against Wilmington FC.
What players were most responsible for the team’s success?
Racioppi: Michael Pasca, the longtime captain of this team, who started his journey with the Tar Devils as my first player years ago. He has been the first to set the tone for the team in challenging times. I would also highlight Archie Filliter and Johnny McNeill who have provided a key presence with their experience and setting the tempo for some of the younger guys. Bilal Nachet up top is the current UPSL Mid-Atlantic D1 top scorer!
Our entire backline has been excellent, though a standout would certainly be Dante Shuler with his throw-in contributions and overall leadership in the team. Chris Taylor is also worth noting with three goals from outside back. Caleb Bullock, Nic Gunyon, the list could go on. Both our goalies, Jacob Smith and Trevor Fess, have done an excellent job keeping clean sheets. The newest difference-making addition has been Tyler Moczulski, a true workhorse in the midfield.
Can you spot the trend? This is a group effort, not a one-man-team!
What can you say about the team’s growth throughout the year?
Racioppi: I am extremely proud of this team, with its regular season championship decided multiple match days ahead of the season end. The boys have worked as a unit. More than even the sporting accomplishments, I am proud of the people we have brought together to form a strong community that has expanded its recognition all over the area and beyond! We are just getting started!
What do you think of your chances in the playoffs?
Racioppi: I don’t like to predict things before we decide it on the field, but I promise you with or without any key players, we will give it our all to prove, on top of the regular season championship, that the Tar Devils brand of football is the best in the region!
On December 21, Alessandro’s boys won their playoff semi-final game in emphatic fashion, with a 4-0 trouncing of Wilmington’s ILM Football Club. Moczulski and Abubaker Mayanja each scored a brace to set up Sunday’s showdown with Liberty Arsenal.
The game at Herndon Championship Field kicks off at 5pm (ET). Tickets are $10.