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Maurizio Grillo Leads SLC Women’s Soccer to New Heights in NCAA Skyline Conference

January 10, 2020

Grillo Named Back-to-Back Coach of the Year as Sarah Lawrence College Women’s Soccer Rises

With an impressive 14-5-0 record and a berth in the Skyline Conference Championship, the Sarah Lawrence College (SLC) women’s soccer team is on the rise under the leadership of head coach Maurizio Grillo. Recognized as the NCAA Skyline Conference’s Coach of the Year two years in a row, Grillo has built the most successful program in SLC women’s soccer history.

Grillo’s approach goes beyond wins and losses. As a coach dedicated to player development and fostering a positive team culture, he has guided the Gryphons to earn their first-ever five All-League selections, while instilling a deep sense of pride and accomplishment at this prestigious liberal arts college just outside New York City.

“I’m grateful to the SLCGryphons athletic department, my SkylineConfD3 colleagues, and most of all to the brilliant women student-athletes who pushed boundaries and delivered for @SarahLawrence,” Grillo said after receiving the honor.

Located just 20 minutes from Manhattan, Sarah Lawrence College is renowned for its academic excellence, recently earning accolades such as “Best Professors” on NBC’s TODAY and “Best Classroom Experience” by The Princeton Review.

In this exclusive SoccerToday interview, Grillo reflects on the Gryphons’ season, shares what it takes to develop top collegiate players, and talks about how he’s helping SLC women’s soccer thrive both on and off the field.

SoccerToday Diane Scavuzzo Interview with SLC Head Coach Maurizio Grillo

Diane Scavuzzo: It is great to see you again. How was the Sarah Lawrence Women’s Soccer season?

Maurizio Grillo: Coming off our 2018 record-breaking season, we were highly motivated to demonstrate that we really are a top conference contender.

OUR RESULTS IN 2018 AND 2019 ARE TRULY TEAM RESULTS — THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT CONTRIBUTED BY EVERYONE ON THE TEAM.

I think we demonstrated to the conference, and more importantly, to ourselves, that we are, in fact, a team that can consistently deliver and grow.

The program appeared in the NCAA Skyline Women’s Soccer Championship Semifinals again and we had an overall standing of 14-5 for back-to-back winning campaigns, reflecting a five-win improvement from 2018.

We ended the season as the number 3 seed, earning a second straight first-round home playoff game advantage.

Diane Scavuzzo: Are you pleased with your team’s collegiate performance?

Maurizio Grillo: I couldn’t be more proud.

The girls arrived in August eager to learn about each other, their new surroundings, and the Sarah Lawrence community as a whole. I believe that collegiate performance means thriving on the field and in the classroom. True collegiate athletes find this balance and use these experiences to propel them forward as young adults, students, and athletes.

A great example is Tiffany McBrayer who added another accolade to her outstanding 2019 campaign, landing a spot on the 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III All-East Region Third Team. McBrayer is the first Gryphon in program history to earn this recognition.

OUR TIFFANY MCBRAYER HAS BEEN NAMED ON THE UNITED SOCCER COACHES 3RD TEAM ALL-EAST REGION IN ADDITION TO THE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT FIRST TEAM.

Diane Scavuzzo: What are your goals for the upcoming season?

Maurizio Grillo: We’re not done growing and evolving. We want to be stronger and elevate the bar again, setting new program records and playing at least one additional game in the postseason.

It is also important to keep in mind the truth that we are a young program building a winning culture that will sustain our long-term goals. The most critical task ahead is to remain committed to excellence across all domains, ranging from the little things — like the matching collegiate practice gear to the big things — like recruiting top talent who fits our unique SLC community.

Diane Scavuzzo: What do you look for when you recruit? Has it gotten easier to recruit girls now than when you first arrive?

Sarah Lawrence College head women’s soccer coach, Maurizio Grillo, at Surf College Cup

Maurizio Grillo: Of course the core attributes — technical skills, intensity, sportsmanship, and intellectual curiosity — are clearly “must haves,” but I’m really looking for a recruit to convince me that they want more than just to play soccer.

I WANT PLAYERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO PROUDLY REPRESENT SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE.

Recruiting for this special fit has become a bit easier over time, but the reality is that every recruit has a unique story to tell and reason for being interested in our special institution.

Our recent results on the field have led to greater interest in our school and team — and I am very proud as this is an exciting development for the entire Sarah Lawrence College community.

Diane Scavuzzo: Do you believe that the incoming freshmen are more skilled than players who have graduated in the past?

Maurizio Grillo: I am very proud of the incredible freshmen we were able to recruit in 2019 and am equally optimistic that our next season will be defined by another incoming cohort of high caliber Sarah Lawrence student athletes.

IT’S A CYCLE — STRONG FRESHMAN GROW INTO EXCEPTIONAL TEAM LEADERS WHO IMPART WISDOM AND DEPTH TO THE TEAM.

These freshmen, in turn, help us recruit greater talent next year.

Diane Scavuzzo: Are you able to help players continue their path of player development?

Maurizio Grillo: Student-athletes thrive in an environment that is both challenging and encouraging. It is my responsibility to create this environment and provide challenging and repetitive drills that build confidence and skill mastery. My program is committed to continuing individual player development.

Diane Scavuzzo: Who do you think is right for your program? Can you describe the characteristics of a student-athlete that would do well on your squad?

Maurizio Grillo: Our President, Cristle Collins Judd, once said that being part of Sarah Lawrence “is to step forward to engage another with intentionality and with the quintessential deep inquisitiveness, openness, and knowledge-seeking that personifies a Sarah Lawrence education”.

That intentionality and knowledge-seeking mentality are also core aspects of my soccer program. It is crucial for all athletes considering Sarah Lawrence to have a holistic passion for the game of soccer that will lead them to embrace all non-field related activities too.

Diane Scavuzzo: How supportive is the president of the college?

Maurizio Grillo: Extremely supportive and actively engaged. If we are hosting a game, you will see her on the field cheering on the team, talking to parents, posting live game updates, and taking selfies with the athletes.

WE DON’T TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED, NOT FOR ONE MINUTE.

Diane Scavuzzo: What accolades have your players received this season?

Maurizio Grillo: Sarah Lawrence sophomore Tiffany McBrayer added another accolade to her outstanding 2019 campaign, landing a spot on the 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III All-East Region Third Team. McBrayer becomes the first Gryphon in program history to earn all-region recognition.

Read: Grillo at SLC: Bringing the Beautiful Game to The Liberal ArtsSLC WOMEN’S SOCCER HEAD COACH GRILLO ON RECRUITING AND BUILDING A WINNING TEAM

Highlights of Sarah Lawrence College’s 2019 Women Soccer Season:

United Soccer Coaches: Tiffany McBrayer ( All-East Region )

All-Conference/Honors: Niki Dalrymple (Rookie of the Year; First Team), Tiffany McBrayer (First Team; CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team), Lainie Cadieux (First Team), Haley Willibey (Second Team, Maurizio Grillo (Coach of the Year)

United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award + Merit Sportsmanship Award: Sarah Lawrence College (2017, 2018)