Kickin' It With Lorenz Esposito
10/27/2017 3:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Photo Credit: Marquise Pointer / CofC Athletics Communications
CHRIS CHANDLER
COFC ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Since he was a kid, College of Charleston senior Lorenz Esposito has been a fighter on-and-off the pitch.
A starting defender on the men's soccer team, Esposito is part of a 7-5-3 squad that has gone undefeated in seven-straight games this season and looks poised to make waves in the upcoming CAA Tournament.
Aside from soccer, Esposito competed at an early age in
taekwondo, a Korean martial art centered on kicks as its primary focus. With a father and grandfather, who both had fighting backgrounds, it was a natural fit for the youngster from Westport, Connecticut.
"Being a third-generation fighter, it kind of ran in my family," he said. "Originally, taekwondo started off with my parents signing me up for a self-defense class to be able to protect myself. As I stuck with it, my master, who was a three-time world champion, started to notice I was getting pretty good at it. I was able to kick high and was crisp with my movements. He spoke to my dad (Lorenzo) and convinced him I should start sparring in tournaments. I did really well and was able to progress to a national level."
In fact, Esposito was so good that he rose through the taekwondo ranks and eventually competed in the Junior Olympics. He was just nine years old at the time.
"One of my biggest life accomplishments was competing in my first Junior Olympics in Atlanta," he said. "I made it to the finals against a kid from California and we went into the second round tied 2-2. I met with my master in my corner and he laid out some stern tactics for my approach.
"I got back to it and thought it was close. While you don't really know when you're fighting, if it's close or not, next thing you know, the final whistle blows. I looked back at the final score and it read, 'Esposito wins 6-2.' At that point, I just breathed a huge sigh of relief and realized that I had just won the Junior Olympics."
The following year, Esposito would go on to win it again as a 10 year old to become a back-to-back champion. But just as soon as he climbed to such amazing heights in the sport, he was moving on. The very next year, Esposito walked away from martial arts to pursue other interests.
"What I did in those two years of fighting is probably the greatest accomplishment I've pulled off in my life so far," he said. "At the time, I don't think I realized how big of a deal that was, because it's not every day that somebody wins two Junior Olympics and gives it up the year after.
"If I could go back, I might have stuck with it more and seen how I could have progressed. It's something I miss and something I probably walked away from too soon. Still, I'm happy with how things have turned out for me with soccer, so I have no regrets."
At the age of 13, Esposito began playing soccer seriously – something he'd only dabbled with in the past. He says his late start in the sport was a result of him wanting to master himself as an individual first.
"Before you can really hop into a team sport successfully, I think it's important to learn what your capabilities are on an individual level," he said. "It's different for every kid. But for me, being able to just focus on myself, my strength, my flexibility and my athleticism without having to worry about anything else was really helpful. I always liked soccer, but it was something I wasn't ready for."
And that choice paid noticeable dividends early on when Esposito started playing soccer competitively.
"When I started playing soccer, I noticed right away that I was more flexible and I had a stronger kick than most of the other kids," he said. "It really carried over well, because taekwondo is like 99 percent kicking. It's a lot of stuff above the waist, sometimes even head level, so it really helps develop your core strength. It was something that helped give me an advantage right away. I also think my background probably saved me from a lot of injuries I might have gotten otherwise."
Esposito played well throughout his youth career, so much so that he earned a spot out of Staples High School at the University of Connecticut. However, an injury during his freshman year with the Huskies made him realize it wasn't a good fit.
"I began to look around at other programs," said the business administration major and black belt. "That's when the College of Charleston came onto my radar."
Esposito met with CofC Head Coach Ralph Lundy as well as his assistants Keith Wiggans and (former assistant coach) Jamie Guyan, who let him know there were some openings in the starting lineup. They also said nothing would be given to him and that he would have to fight for his playing time and earn it.
"That was fine by me," Esposito said. "I just wanted the opportunity to come in and show what I had. I pounced on the chance, was able to earn a starting spot and been moving around ever since."
Since joining the Cougars, Esposito has logged-in three successful years at The College and become a leader on the team.
"Lorenz leads by example," Lundy said. "He always wants to improve, grow and develop. Every day, he comes to practice and lifts the team. It is contagious. He is very tough and never quits. That's his personality and where the taekwondo (training) comes in. He loves the challenge."
On the field, Esposito has started 34 of his 46 career games played and has logged nearly 3,400 minutes of action on the back line and the midfield.
"Coming from UConn to CofC has been night and day," he said. "Being from the north, the biggest change for me has been there's no cold winters down here. You're also in walking distance of the beach. I couldn't have asked to transfer to a better city. The friends I've made and the teammates I have – these are relationships I'll carry with me for a lifetime. All the smiles and joy I've had from winning with this team has been unbelievable."
Yet despite everything Esposito's accomplished, his job isn't done. There's still the CAA Tournament looming over the end of his collegiate soccer career and he has big plans of how he would like it to play out.
"Our program hasn't won a conference championship title in seven years," he said. "My goal and our team goal is to break that dry spell and help us win the tournament. Winning a ring with the Cougars, a team that I play a big role on, would mean the world to me. It would be something I'd be able to look back on with pride for the rest of my life. To do it would be surreal."
If the Cougars and Esposito can kick that dry spell, it would mark the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.
"This year is our best chance," he said. "We have nine seniors on our team and we're hungry. The time is now."
CHRIS CHANDLER
COFC ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Since he was a kid, College of Charleston senior Lorenz Esposito has been a fighter on-and-off the pitch.
A starting defender on the men's soccer team, Esposito is part of a 7-5-3 squad that has gone undefeated in seven-straight games this season and looks poised to make waves in the upcoming CAA Tournament.
Aside from soccer, Esposito competed at an early age in
taekwondo, a Korean martial art centered on kicks as its primary focus. With a father and grandfather, who both had fighting backgrounds, it was a natural fit for the youngster from Westport, Connecticut."Being a third-generation fighter, it kind of ran in my family," he said. "Originally, taekwondo started off with my parents signing me up for a self-defense class to be able to protect myself. As I stuck with it, my master, who was a three-time world champion, started to notice I was getting pretty good at it. I was able to kick high and was crisp with my movements. He spoke to my dad (Lorenzo) and convinced him I should start sparring in tournaments. I did really well and was able to progress to a national level."
In fact, Esposito was so good that he rose through the taekwondo ranks and eventually competed in the Junior Olympics. He was just nine years old at the time.
"One of my biggest life accomplishments was competing in my first Junior Olympics in Atlanta," he said. "I made it to the finals against a kid from California and we went into the second round tied 2-2. I met with my master in my corner and he laid out some stern tactics for my approach.
"I got back to it and thought it was close. While you don't really know when you're fighting, if it's close or not, next thing you know, the final whistle blows. I looked back at the final score and it read, 'Esposito wins 6-2.' At that point, I just breathed a huge sigh of relief and realized that I had just won the Junior Olympics."
The following year, Esposito would go on to win it again as a 10 year old to become a back-to-back champion. But just as soon as he climbed to such amazing heights in the sport, he was moving on. The very next year, Esposito walked away from martial arts to pursue other interests.
"What I did in those two years of fighting is probably the greatest accomplishment I've pulled off in my life so far," he said. "At the time, I don't think I realized how big of a deal that was, because it's not every day that somebody wins two Junior Olympics and gives it up the year after."If I could go back, I might have stuck with it more and seen how I could have progressed. It's something I miss and something I probably walked away from too soon. Still, I'm happy with how things have turned out for me with soccer, so I have no regrets."
At the age of 13, Esposito began playing soccer seriously – something he'd only dabbled with in the past. He says his late start in the sport was a result of him wanting to master himself as an individual first.
"Before you can really hop into a team sport successfully, I think it's important to learn what your capabilities are on an individual level," he said. "It's different for every kid. But for me, being able to just focus on myself, my strength, my flexibility and my athleticism without having to worry about anything else was really helpful. I always liked soccer, but it was something I wasn't ready for."
And that choice paid noticeable dividends early on when Esposito started playing soccer competitively.
"When I started playing soccer, I noticed right away that I was more flexible and I had a stronger kick than most of the other kids," he said. "It really carried over well, because taekwondo is like 99 percent kicking. It's a lot of stuff above the waist, sometimes even head level, so it really helps develop your core strength. It was something that helped give me an advantage right away. I also think my background probably saved me from a lot of injuries I might have gotten otherwise."
Esposito played well throughout his youth career, so much so that he earned a spot out of Staples High School at the University of Connecticut. However, an injury during his freshman year with the Huskies made him realize it wasn't a good fit.
"I began to look around at other programs," said the business administration major and black belt. "That's when the College of Charleston came onto my radar."
Esposito met with CofC Head Coach Ralph Lundy as well as his assistants Keith Wiggans and (former assistant coach) Jamie Guyan, who let him know there were some openings in the starting lineup. They also said nothing would be given to him and that he would have to fight for his playing time and earn it.
"That was fine by me," Esposito said. "I just wanted the opportunity to come in and show what I had. I pounced on the chance, was able to earn a starting spot and been moving around ever since."
Since joining the Cougars, Esposito has logged-in three successful years at The College and become a leader on the team.
"Lorenz leads by example," Lundy said. "He always wants to improve, grow and develop. Every day, he comes to practice and lifts the team. It is contagious. He is very tough and never quits. That's his personality and where the taekwondo (training) comes in. He loves the challenge."
On the field, Esposito has started 34 of his 46 career games played and has logged nearly 3,400 minutes of action on the back line and the midfield.
"Coming from UConn to CofC has been night and day," he said. "Being from the north, the biggest change for me has been there's no cold winters down here. You're also in walking distance of the beach. I couldn't have asked to transfer to a better city. The friends I've made and the teammates I have – these are relationships I'll carry with me for a lifetime. All the smiles and joy I've had from winning with this team has been unbelievable."
Yet despite everything Esposito's accomplished, his job isn't done. There's still the CAA Tournament looming over the end of his collegiate soccer career and he has big plans of how he would like it to play out."Our program hasn't won a conference championship title in seven years," he said. "My goal and our team goal is to break that dry spell and help us win the tournament. Winning a ring with the Cougars, a team that I play a big role on, would mean the world to me. It would be something I'd be able to look back on with pride for the rest of my life. To do it would be surreal."
If the Cougars and Esposito can kick that dry spell, it would mark the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.
"This year is our best chance," he said. "We have nine seniors on our team and we're hungry. The time is now."
Players Mentioned
MF/D
/ Men's SoccerOn the Prowl with Charleston Athletics: Christian Michner, Head Women's Soccer Coach
Wednesday, May 13
On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics: Ellis Chang, Baseball
Wednesday, May 06
On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics: Mackenzie Mathis, Softball
Wednesday, April 29
On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics: Mitch Krywulycz, Head Men's Golf Coach
Wednesday, April 22
