Lacrosse on Long Island has become an identity of the region. From youth leagues to high school, generations of Long Islanders have found opportunities to play collegiate lacrosse.
One of those is freshman goalkeeper, Denis Fargione.
Fargione grew up playing in an area with some of the country’s best talent. It was often hard to separate oneself from all the other players but his composure in front of the goal helped Fargione find his way.
“Ever since I was five years old I was always playing with my older brother and all his friends,” Fargione said. “Seeing the harder shots from the older guys growing up and at the varsity level definitely helped me translate to the college level because a lot of the kids on Long Island all play Division I lacrosse so seeing their shots really helped me.”
While the majority of Fargione’s talent resulted from his hard work and playing against older competition, some of it may have been inherited.
Fargione’s father, Michael, also played Division I lacrosse in the 1990s at The Ohio State University.
“My dad has been my role model my whole life,” Fargione said. “He always knew [because of my size] that I was going to be the goal from earlier on. He would always train me in the backyard and have a catch with me and take me to the field. I still call him after every single game and we’ll talk about it.”
Just like his father, Fargione also played lacrosse at Garden City High School. At Garden City, he was also a member of the football and basketball teams and he earned eight varsity letters.
“From basketball season going into lacrosse season my footwork was 100% better,” Fargione said. “I was also better at communication because in basketball I played the middle of the two-three zone. Basketball’s also an up-and-down game so I felt those skills translated to the field.”
During lacrosse season, Fargione had a 68% career save percentage. He was a two-time All-County selection as a goalie.
In his four years on the team, the Trojans won two New York Lacrosse State Championships. Fargione was also the 2023 County Championship MVP.
In his senior season, Fargione was named a 2023-24 Academic All-American and was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Arriving at Villanova, it was expected that Fargione would play behind redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Anthony Wilson, but that changed on Feb. 22.
With the team trailing Colgate by eight goals, head coach Mike Corrado brought on Fargione for the second half. Despite a 16-5 defeat, Fargione recorded 11 saves.
Six days later, Fargione made his first career start against Lehigh. Despite an 11-7 loss, he had eight saves and picked up four ground balls. He also held the Mountain Hawks under .500% on extra-man opportunities.
CAREER DAY FOR FUDGE!
Monday’s performance locked Denis Fargione in the history books tying him for the fifth most saves in a single game in program history!#GoNova #NovaLax
pic.twitter.com/eaRWHYbBjr
— Villanova Men’s Lax (@NovaLacrosse) March 18, 2025
Fargione has started every game since.
In his first start against a nationally ranked opponent, [No.18 Penn] the Wildcats lost 11-8 but Fargione recorded nine saves.
“I was very nervous at the start of the [Penn] game,” Fargione said. “I tend to get nervous before most games but every single one of my teammates was so supportive of me. It was definitely a big step up because the other players were a lot bigger, faster and stronger.”
His best performance as a starter came in the 16-9 win over Brown. Fargione recorded a career-best 19 saves and helped the Wildcats lead for the entire game.
On March 21, Fargione earned an honorable mention on the USA Lacrosse Midseason Lacrosse All-Freshman Team.
“[Fargione] can make big saves,” Corrado said. “He’s good one-on-one. When it looks like we’re gonna give up a goal, he makes a save. He’s good at stealing goals from other teams and turning them into goals for us. When he does that it ignites our team.”
With one win in the last three games, Villanova is in need of a statement win. While games against top-ranked opponents have been good challenges, the challenge of the Big East is just beginning.
The Wildcats open conference play on Saturday, March 29 against the University of Denver. Last season the Wildcats beat the Pioneers 10-9 in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.
Despite the pressure of the rematch and the pressure of opening day in the Big East, nine saves against a top 20 opponent, 19 saves against Brown and his Long Island roots have shown Fargione is more than ready to take the field.
“It’s been a while since we had someone come in as a true freshman and start,” Corrado said. “It’s not common but Denis’ background and playing [on Long Island] have helped him come here and compete right away. I know [Denver’s] a big game and he knows that. I don’t have to tell him much, he’ll be ready to play.”
