Marcelo Antonelli enters his seventh season on head coach Brenda van Stralen’s staff in 2013. Along with assisting in everyday activities such as training and recruiting, he has direct responsibility for goalkeepers while also aiding van Stralen in developing offensive strategy.
Since arriving at Saint Francis University, Antonelli has mentored three of the best goalkeepers in program history. Lauren Fearer, Brianna Butcher and Jessica Boyer represent the top three in Saint Francis history in terms of career goals-against average with .89, .97 and 1.17, respectively.
Butcher – who tended goal for the Red Flash from 2009-12 – tied for first in the SFU career record book with 19 shutouts.
Under his tutelage, Red Flash keepers have earned eight Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week nods, two All-NEC second team selections (Boyer, 2008; Butcher 2012) and Fearer was named to the NEC All-Tournament Team in 2010 after helping the team to its first-ever league title.
Since arriving on campus in 2007, the Flash has posted 45 shutouts – including nine apiece in 2012 and 2011, which is tied for the second-most in school history.
Antonelli spent his first two seasons with the Red Flash as a graduate assistant coach before being promoted to the post fulltime in 2009.
A native of Brazil, Antonelli grew up playing soccer in regional leagues and futsal in the State Confederation representing his club, Guarani. He also played in his city (Campinas) Futsal selection, in the several competitions among cities organized by Brazilian government.
In 1995 he was admitted into the physical education program at Campinas State University (Unicamp) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. During his time there, Antonelli earned a job as the soccer team’s goalkeeper, and in his third year at the college, he also became coach of the Unicamp Futsal team.
After college he rejoined the Guarani Futebol Club in the capacity of physical trainer for the U-17 male team and head coach of the girls’ program. Highlighting his accomplishments with the girls was a U-15 national championship and a U-15 Brazil Futsal Cup.
In 2001 Antonelli traveled to Italy where he played professional futsal for five seasons, winning two Italian Cups. He was elected the best goalkeeper in league competition in 2004. He played three seasons for the GIEMME (Reggiana Calcio a 5), one season for Pescara and one season for A.S.D. Regalbuto, located in Sicily.
Antonelli is a member of the NCSAA Region I coaching staff and also holds an advanced national diploma from the organization.
