Myrtleford's Fletcher Caponecchia to captain US college WVU Tech in 2021

Myrtleford and Murray United export Fletcher Caponecchia has impressed in his two years at West Virginia University Institute of Technology and was named vice-captain this year, before he was informed he would take on the captaincy when competition resumes in February.

"It was a bit surprising because normally they give it to some of the older boys, but I was named vice-captain for this semester and next semester I get to move into the full captain's role," Caponecchia said.

"We had two captains and they graduated this semester, so I was next in line.

"I feel really privileged and humbled and I'm ready to take on that role."

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Caponecchia, 20, returned to Australia in March and was set to play with Myrtleford before the AWFA season was postponed after one round due to COVID-19.

The season was later cancelled by the pandemic and Caponecchia was at the crossroads, but, with his college set to resume play in September, he made the decision to fly back to the US and managed to get eight games in before the semester break.

"Basically I thought there was no chance that I'd be back here," Caponecchia said.

"Throughout the year I saw other conferences and divisions of soccer slowly but surely shutting down and I thought it was only a matter of time before the league my college plays in did the same, but it never did.

"I was toing and froing a lot and it got to early September and I could get back so I decided to go.

"A few games here and there got postponed and some were moved to next semester, but overall it was a good decision to come back and I played a lot more football than I would have if I had stayed back in Myrtleford."

Caponecchia said the plan was for the college to play all of its conference games in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athleticism (NAIA) competition before the Christmas break, but due to some postponements, it hasn't quite panned out that way.

However, the midfielder found the back of the net five times, which included at hat trick in his side's 15-0 win against Carlow in October.

Caponecchia also had three assists as WVU Tech finished the year with a with seven wins and one loss.

"I feel it's a completely different game over here," Caponecchia said.

"I would say the quality is of NPL 2 (Murray United's league) standard. We definitely come up against teams that are much better and we also meet teams that are worse.

"Overall, I would say it's a slight step up in quality because everyone is of college age (18 to 24) and we have kids out of professional academies in Spain and England."

Caponecchia said he is committed to four years of study in the US to complete his business administration and marketing degree, but it may not necessarily be at the same college.

"I'm happy here at the moment, we have a good football team and it's a great school," he said.

"I can't say I'd be here at WVU Tech for my four years because it's one of those industries where things can change in a second.

"It's been a bit challenging this semester with it all being online, but I'm happy and I'm really enjoying the course work as well."

Caponecchia will restart training from January 12.