Nicholson Fontilus found his goalkeeping talent in Haiti and now aims for success at Upstate United

Nicholson Fontilus held a unique pregame ritual. While engaging in goalkeeping drills and warming up, he listened to his favorite song, "In The End" by Linkin Park, on repeat in his earbuds. Just seconds before kickoff, he tapped the goalposts on either side and the crossbar three times, then knelt in prayer to God.

“I treat a game like a war,” Fontilus explained. “I spoke with my family (before the game) to get the why I’m going to do what I want to do and when I should perform my best.”

After former goalkeeper Antonio Costas left, Fontilus stepped up to take his place as Upstate United searched for a replacement. With a 0.82 save percentage in his college career up to now, the Bryant & Stratton goalie has become UUFC’s starting keeper, showcasing his skills in the blue and white kit.

Fontilus’s soccer journey began in Haiti, where his love for soccer took root at a young age. As a child, he discovered a natural aptitude for diving saves that set him apart from his peers who struggled to. While his friends feared for injuries, Fontilus fell in love with every collision with the ground after blocking shots away.

“I discovered that I can play as a goalkeeper, because the first feeling that pushed me to play soccer, especially as a goalkeeper, was when I dived,” Fontilus said.

Encouraged by his family, who recognized his talent, he began training seriously as a goalkeeper. His first opportunity arose when a friend’s club invited him to a trial. Although initially told he was too short to play in goal, Nicholson persisted. 

A subsequent trial at the Organization des Jeunes Athletics de Delmas (OJAD), a Haitian football club, allowed him to reimagine his role on the field. He briefly tried center back when goalkeeping spots were limited. Yet deep down, he knew goalkeeping was his true calling. With dedicated practice under OJAD’s coaches, Nicholson refined his basics and, by 2017, earned a reputation as one of the top young goalkeepers in the region.

In 2018, he took another step forward by joining FC Toro, one of Haiti’s most prominent clubs, where he could play as a goalkeeper. Though the competition for earning playing minutes was intense, he didn’t miss every training session. 

Two years later, his hard work eventually paid off as he rose to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

“There were a lot of good goalkeepers. I wasn’t the starter, but that’s not an option for me,” Fontilus said. “I kept practicing like I was number one.”

While excelling in his soccer dream in Haiti, Fontilus also faced difficult decisions about his education. In the Haitian system, athletes often choose between pursuing a university degree and continuing in soccer. Knowing he could continue academic pursuits independently in the United States, he decided to enroll in an English language school, aiming to play soccer while attending an American college.

Being granted a full scholarship in 2022, Fontilus joined Massasoit Community College for his first two collegiate seasons. As the only goalkeeper on the team, he undoubtedly became a starter and quickly adapted to the higher pace and physicality of American soccer.

During the first two NJCAA seasons with the Warriors, Fontilus claimed 18 clean sheets in 25 appearances overall, posting 89 saves (0.856 Save Percentage). He also helped the team reach the 2022 NJCAA DII Men's Soccer Northeast District Championship final. Massasoit tied 1-1 with Schoolcraft College after two overtimes, and they both shared the title.

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“I know I'm the best. I got the chance to prove that I'm the best,“ Fontilus said. “My coaches also believed in me. When they saw my work ethic, it pushed me to believe in myself even more.”

After two successful seasons at Massasoit, Nicholson transferred to Bryant & Stratton College in Syracuse. He chose Bobcats because it offered a more competitive academic environment and a higher level of soccer. There, he crossed paths with Costas, the program’s starting goalkeeper, who challenged him daily in training. Facing another top-class goalkeeper enabled Fontilus to “find a motivation” that he never had at Massasoit.

“For me, Antonio is one of the top goalkeepers in this area. Training with him is very challenging, and I think that's what I miss when I was at Massasoit,” Fontilus said. “Because sometimes I'm in practice, I was good, though, but I think it was hard for me to fight by myself.”

When Costas departed, Nicholson saw an opening at Upstate. He wanted to help the team reach its potential by providing stability between the posts, believing his experience and work ethic could bolster the club’s mission.

Fontilus then made a statement debut as Upstate won Syracuse FC 2-0 in their season kickoff, winning the Man of the Match with four saves. In the recent rivalry battle against Amlima FC, he recorded seven saves, though Upstate didn’t survive in the last minute. 

For the remainder of the season, his goal is clear: to deliver five consecutive clean sheets and establish himself as one of the UPSL’s top goalkeepers.

“I give myself (goals) as missions, and I'm gonna work really hard to make them happen, because I know I can make them happen.”

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