2 seniors sign National Letters of Intent

It’s the dream of just about every student-athlete.

In the senior year of high school, sit behind a table, surrounded by family, teammates, classmates and friends and sign a National Letter of Intent.

That dream came true for two members of the Woodstock Academy athletic community on Tuesday.

Senior Kelvin Da Costa, a member of the Woodstock Academy prep 1 soccer team, officially committed to play Division I soccer for Syracuse University.

Woodstock Academy girls soccer keeper Rebecca Nazer signed on the dotted line to play for Division II Florida Southern in Lakeland, Fla.

“Very happy,” said a beaming Nazer.

But that happiness was not only due to being able to play soccer at the next level.

“At the same time of getting a chance to play Division II soccer, I will be majoring in marine biology which is the major that I have wanted to do since I was a little kid,” Nazer said.

Da Costa was born in Mozambique where his parents still reside.

So Tuesday was an event that he will remember.

“It was a special moment for me and my family. I just want to thank my teammates, coaches, friends, for getting me to the point where I needed to be and for making me a better soccer player and person,” Da Costa said of his

But New York is familiar ground for Da Costa as he spent much of his growing years in Queens, N.Y.

Growing up in New York, he felt Syracuse fit his personality.

It’s also a school for quality soccer.

The Orangemen have won four Division I national titles including the most recent one in 2022.

“It’s a lot of pressure (to have committed to the defending National Champions), but, honestly, I don’t feel it. I feel like I can go there, make a good impact and help the team and school move forward,” Da Costa said.

The program has also made him feel comfortable in that regard.

“The coaching staff made me believe that they are the right fit for me and I believe that, too. I feel like I can help out the team in upcoming tournaments,” Da Costa said.

While Da Costa is heading a little closer back to a familiar environment in New York, Nazer is leaving the comfort of home.

“I’ve always kind of been around Woodstock and I want to go out and see new things and figure out who I am as a person,” Nazer said. “I love what I have got from Florida Southern. The coach Is great. They’re very organized. They respond immediately. In January, I’m going to go and visit, meet some of the team. I’m very excited to see the environment.”

Woodstock Academy girls soccer coach Dennis Snelling said he is always happy to see his players move on to the next level and continue to play.

“Rebecca has been a leader since joining the team,” Snelling said. “A four-year starting goalie is unique and it’s great that she will be able to continue to play at a high level. It has always been a safe feeling, looking at our defensive net and seeing Rebecca in front of it for the last 70 or 80 matches.”