YOUNGSTOWN — It’s not that Sam Ricotta wasn’t impressed with Mike Curatolo in the past. In fact, the first-year head varsity and former modified and assistant boys soccer coach at Lewiston-Porter has always liked Curatolo’s skill set. But during this, his senior year, Curatolo has taken another area of his game to the next level.

“While his speed and strength have continued to increase, it’s been his knowledge of the game that’s been most important to his development as a player this year,” Ricotta said. “In the past he would react to a ball — and react very well. But now instead of reacting, he’s much more instinctive on balls. You can tell he’s just gotten soccer smart.”

Curatolo, who was called up to the varsity early on during his freshman year, attributes his improvements to both his travel soccer experiences and familiarity with the Lancers’ system.

“All my years playing for Buffalo United and winning the state championship twice with them helped a lot with the thought process of the game,” he said. “And getting more comfortable with my position on varsity helped as well.”

Curatolo plays center-midfielder for the Lancers, taking on the responsibility of distributing the ball up the field to the team’s forwards. After working with reigning Niagara Gazette Player of the Year Zach Eoute the last two years, Curatolo has had to adjust to a more inexperienced group of forwards in Rob Minicucci, Max Braun and Zach Rougeux.

“Zach (Eoute) and I worked really well together, so it’s been different this year,” he said. “I’m still trying to create that same bond that I had with Zach.”

Ricotta agreed that it’s been a work in progress for Curatolo, although he did note that his tri-captain has been in on almost every assist of late. He also said that if Curatolo can find the net with the same regularity he was near the beginning of the year, the team will have an even greater chance at success down the stretch.

Curatolo agreed with his coach’s assessment.

“I need to be more consistent putting the ball in the net and then things will come for us,” he said. “I think this team is still getting better and we’re going to surprise some people in sectionals.”

Next fall, Curatolo plans to play soccer at a local college while studying business.

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, Ext. 2262.