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University of New Hampshire Athletics
João Catafesta Joins UNH Men’s Soccer
7/26/2024 4:57:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Catafesta played for Sport Club do Recife and Chapecoense in Brazil.
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire men's soccer program has announced the signing of freshman midfielder João Catafesta (Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil).
"João is a central midfielder from Brazil," said head coach Rich Weinrebe. "He has great vision, and 360 awareness, is technically strong, and shows a good passing range that will help move the ball into higher positions quickly. We also love his ability to win the ball back. João has shown the right mentality to have an extremely successful career in Durham."
Catafesta played for Sport Club do Recife from 2022-24, serving as a team captain in 2023. He won the Most Promising Player of the State in 2022. The team won the State Championship in 2022, made the Sweet Sixteen of the Brazilian National U23 Tournament and the Sweet Sixteen of the Viareggio U19 Cup in Italy.
Catafesta was a member of Chapecoense from 2018-22 where he was a team captain from 2020-2022. He earned 2018 First Team Brazilian National Tournament honors and was named Man of the Match in the 2020 Brazilian National Tournament. The team won the state championship in 2018 and were 2019 finalists. He also played the most minutes of anyone on the team for three straight years.
He graduated from Pedro Maciel High School in 2021.
Previously announced additions to the 2024 Roster:
The Wildcats open the season at Boston University on Thursday, Aug. 22, followed by the home opener at Wildcat Stadium versus Western Michigan on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.
"João is a central midfielder from Brazil," said head coach Rich Weinrebe. "He has great vision, and 360 awareness, is technically strong, and shows a good passing range that will help move the ball into higher positions quickly. We also love his ability to win the ball back. João has shown the right mentality to have an extremely successful career in Durham."
Catafesta played for Sport Club do Recife from 2022-24, serving as a team captain in 2023. He won the Most Promising Player of the State in 2022. The team won the State Championship in 2022, made the Sweet Sixteen of the Brazilian National U23 Tournament and the Sweet Sixteen of the Viareggio U19 Cup in Italy.
Catafesta was a member of Chapecoense from 2018-22 where he was a team captain from 2020-2022. He earned 2018 First Team Brazilian National Tournament honors and was named Man of the Match in the 2020 Brazilian National Tournament. The team won the state championship in 2018 and were 2019 finalists. He also played the most minutes of anyone on the team for three straight years.
He graduated from Pedro Maciel High School in 2021.
Previously announced additions to the 2024 Roster:
| Name | Yr. | Pos. | Hometown | Previous Team |
| Reed Cash | Fr. | M | Hampton Falls, N.H. | Seacoast United |
| Matthew Goncalves | Gr. | F | Everett, Mass. | Cornell University |
| Terry Makedika | Jr. | M | Paris, France | Arizona Western College |
| Aidan Miller | Fr. | F | Richmond Hill, Ga. | South Georgia Tormenta FC |
| Fede Tellez | Gr. | F/M | Miami, Fla. | Northeastern University |
| Michael Tsicoulias | Jr. | F | Newton, Mass. | University of Virginia |
| Harry Way | Gr. | GK | London, England | University of Oxford |
The Wildcats open the season at Boston University on Thursday, Aug. 22, followed by the home opener at Wildcat Stadium versus Western Michigan on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.
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