Canton High grad to play for Bulldog alum at Wentworth

The Canton High School boys soccer program is excited to announce that Paolo Ruggeri, Class of 2019, is beginning his college soccer career this week at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Paolo Ruggeri (center) with coaches Danny and Connor Erickson at Canton Soccer School

Ruggeri becomes the first Bulldog to join the Leopards under coach Connor Erickson. Ruggeri’s decision to join the WIT program is a big story in Bulldogland as he moves from playing for CHS coach and graduate Danny Erickson to playing for Erickson’s younger brother — former CHS student-athlete Connor Erickson.

Coach Danny Erickson had this to say about Ruggeri and his move to WIT. “Paolo is one of the best soccer minds I’ve ever coached. He joins my brother Connor’s team this fall — another one of the greatest soccer minds I’ve coached here at CHS. We should all be proud of both of these CHS soccer grads.”

Connor Erickson, now entering his seventh season as head coach of the Leopards, was a standout soccer player in the early 2000s at CHS and went on to play for NEWMAC power Wheaton College, where he was part of four consecutive NCAA tournament teams. He returned to his high school alma mater in 2008 as JV boys soccer coach and has also had assistant coaching stints at Wheaton, UMass Boston, and Bridgewater State University.

“We could not be more excited to have Paolo join our program,” said Connor Erickson. “He is an excellent soccer player and hard worker and he obviously comes from an elite high school program. I have been watching Paolo for many years and I expect him to make an impact on our team right away.”

Ruggeri, a team captain in his senior season, excelled as a defensive midfielder for the Bulldogs and was praised by coach Danny Erickson as the “heart and soul” of the 2018 squad. He joins fellow CHS ’19 soccer alum Griffin Roach in entering the college soccer ranks this fall, with Roach headed off to D1 Boston University to play for the Terriers.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Aug 24 2019. Filed under Beyond CHS, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.