Provenzano honing craft overseas
Goalkeeper Carson Provenzano is heading to Italy this month to play for Foligno Calcio. Photo by: RUTH WANLESS.
Carson Provenzano was perhaps the busiest of the four members of the St. Catharines Club Roma Wolves who trained for six weeks last year in Italy.
The 21-year-old former St. Francis Secondary School student quickly noticed the difference in the practice habits and talents between Canadian and Italian athletes.
“To actually be over there and to train with the guys, at first it was a little eye-opening to see the difference in the level they train at, what they do compared to what we do and how they train and the culture,” Provenzano said. “They live and breathe it over there.”
As a goaltender, Provenzano immediately found out there is no time off in net during practice.
“The big difference over there for me being a goaltender were the strikers,” he said. “Every time in practice, those strikers, even in practice, hit the net every time. They don’t miss when they get a chance. If they miss it was rare. For me it was a little different. I saw a lot of balls.
“I remember doing one shooting drill and over 200 balls hit the net in 15 minutes. It was ridiculous.”
Provenzano, who started playing in goal for the Roma Wolves U9 rep team, feels the training was a success.
“Honestly, it helped me a lot,” he said. “The first few days I was there a lot of balls were going in. Over there, they only need half a yard of space to shoot. Here, our players will take one extra touch to get a little more space, but there, as soon as they have a little space, boom, a shot.
“As a goalkeeper I have to always be ready — not that I’m not always ready over here — but even more so.”
Provenzano, who played at Bridgton Academy Preparatory School in North Bridgton following high school, loved having nothing on his plate other than to go to the pitch every day and get to work.
“It was great for me,” he said. “It was something I always wanted to do since I was a little kid. I think any soccer player growing up, (thinks) wouldn’t it be great if I could play soccer my whole life. To actually get to realize those dreams is something else. It feels great.”
Provenzano used the skills acquired in Italy when he returned to Canada last summer and suited up for the Roma Wolves of the League1 Ontario Men’s Premier Division.
“I loved it,” he said. “It’s my hometown and I’ll always have an attachment. This season was fantastic seeing so many people come out and support it. It exceeded expectations.”
Roma coach Federico Turriziani has high praise for his goaltender.
“Carson Provenzano is one of the best goalkeepers that I coached in Canada,” Turriziani said. “He has great agility catching shots during game situations. Carson is surely one of the most reliable goalkeepers in League 1.”
Provenzano will be heading back to Italy near the end of the month to play to play for Foligno Calcio, a Serie D team.
“That’s a good start for me,” Provenzano said. “My goal is to play at the highest division I can wherever.”
This is the second in a series of profiles of Roma players who trained in Italy last season. Next week: Christian Piccolotto.
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