Marquee Goalie Rastivo Signs with UNC

from press release

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Steven Rastivo, a goalkeeper from Ward Melville High School on Long Island and a transfer from Penn State, has signed a national letter of intent with the North Carolina men's lacrosse program during the early signing period just concluded. Rastivo will join the Tar Heel team in January and be eligible to play during the 2010 season.

"Steven is a terrific goalie who is a welcome addition to our Carolina lacrosse family. He will add tremendous talent and depth to the goalie position and defense. He has great quickness and athleticism both inside and out of the cage and will help in our clearing and tenacious riding game as well," said UNC head coach Joe Breschi. "The staff's expectation is for Steven to compete with James Petracca and Chris Madalon the first day of practice (January 11th) for the starting job"

Carolina will announce the remainder of its recruiting class, the student-athletes who will enroll in August 2010, during the spring signing period in April.

Rastivo is 5-10, 170 pounds and he graduated from Ward Melville High School in East Setauket, N.Y. in 2008. He is the son of Cynthia Rastivo and Russell Rastivo. The 19-year-old Rastivo has two younger siblings, Michael, age 15, and Alexandra, age 12.

Rastivo was named to the Under Armour All-America North Team in 2008 and was tapped as the UA All-America Game MVP that year. He earned All-League, All-County and All-America honors as a senior in 2008 after being named All-League and All-County the previous year. As a sophomore in 2006, Rastivo was named the Rookie of the Year in Suffolk County.

He led Ward Melville to an undefeated season in 2008 as well as Suffolk County division championships three straight years (2006-08). Ward Melville was a Suffolk County finalist each of those years as well. In 2007, he was a member of the Empire State Games gold medal winning team.
 
His extracurricular activities included being a member of the Global Language Honor Society, serving as a volunteer for the Three Village Wildcats Community Football League, serving as a volunteer coach for the Long Island Express Lacrosse Club Team and working in the St. Gerard's Soup Kitchen.