3 Players Return for USL W League Season

Written by Michael Lewis

The Long Island Rough Riders today announced they have signed three vital members of last year’s women’s team that reached the USL W League playoffs.

They are Nina Carlomusto, Kim Marra and Nikki Bermudez.

“The club and I are extremely excited to welcome back these three players,” Rough Riders head coach Matt Lannon said. “They really made a difference in our season last year leading us all the way to a first-round playoff match. It really was a no brainer to invite them back.”

Carlomusto, a defender, was a major reason was Long Island allowed only seven goals in 12 regular season matches in 2022. Not surprisingly, she was a first-team selection to the USL W League team of the year. Carlomusto demonstrated her versatility by starring at left back and center back. The Hicksville, N.Y. native also scored two goals before returning to Fairleigh Dickinson University for her senior season.

“Nina is coming off a successful collegiate season at FDU after backstopping the team to the NCAA tournament,” Lannon said. “Last summer she was essential in our backline and a really great player to coach.”

Bermudez, who was named the Rough Riders’ player of the year, scored a team-best 10 goals last year while finishing fifth in the league. The Oceanside, N.Y. resident is coming off a fine season at Mercy College, where she tallied nine goals and added seven assists for a Mustang squad that reached the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament. Bermudez was selected to the 2022 Division II Conference Commissioners Association Women’s Soccer Third Team All-American squad.

She also was a scholar, being named to the 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Division II women’s second team, as selected by the College Sports Communicators. Bermudez had 4.0 grade-point average as a Human Resource Management major in graduate school.

“She’s a tough player to defend which makes her really fun to watch and coach,” Lannon said. “I’m excited to have her back up top this year.”

Marra, who calls Sayville, N.Y. home, was another reason why the Rough Riders’ defense was so stingy She completed her senior season at Iona College last fall, playing as a defender. Marra made 18 starts in the 19 matches she played.

“Kim has been with the Rough Riders for a few years now and has always been a leader on the team,” Lannon said. “As our captain last year, she had a big presence both on a off the field. She’s quite an athletic and versatile player. I’m looking forward to have her back to help lead the team.”

The team finished the 2022 USL W League season with an 8-2-2 record as runner-up to Morris Elite SC in the Metropolitan Division. They were eliminated in the playoff quarterfinals, dropping a 2-0 decision to Greenville Liberty SC.

The Rough Riders will kick off their season with a home game against the Westchester Flames on Saturday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. It will be the first game of a doubleheader with the men’s squad, which plays Westchester in the nightcap at 8 p.m.

It will be the first of four doubleheaders with the men’s team.

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