New Jersey City University senior forward Chris Rosenthal and Rowan University senior back Rich Dominiak have been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year respectively for the 2005 season. In total, 42 student-athletes earned all-conference recognition in NJAC men’s soccer in 2005. All selections were determined by a vote of the league’s 10 head coaches.

A two-time NJAC all-conference selection, Rosenthal currently leads the NJAC in points per game (2.50), goals per game (0.81) and assists per game (0.88). With an overall record of 16-6-0, Rosenthal led the Gothic Knights to their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament via an at-large selection. NJCU will open NCAA play on November 12 against DeSales at Virginia Wesleyan.     

A four-time NJAC all-conference selection, Dominiak was a key factor on a Rowan defensive unit that currently ranks fourth in the NJAC in goals allowed (23) and fifth in the conference in goals against average (1.11).

The College of New Jersey sophomore net-minder Matt Kasperavicius was honored with the newly instituted Goalkeeper of the Year award. A two-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Week selection, he currently ranks second in the conference in both goals against average (0.79) and save percentage (.831). As champions of the NJAC, Kasperavicius and the Lions earned the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament. TCNJ will open NCAA play on November 12 when they host Rogers Williams in a second round contest at Mercer County Community College.

TCNJ senior midfielder Matthew Connor was named the recipient of the conference’s David Logar Award, given annually to a player who best displays the attributes of leadership and courage.

A two-time NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, NJCU freshman forward Juan Espinoza was tapped as the league’s Rookie of the Year. Espinoza currently leads the NJAC in total goals (18), and is tied with his teammate Chris Rosenthal in total points (40).

TCNJ head coach George Nazario was selected as the NJAC Coach of the Year by his peers. In 2005, Nazario guided the Lions - who were selected to finish ninth in the league’s preseason coaches poll - to both the NJAC Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. Now in his 11^th year at the helm of the Lion program, Nazario has posted a record of 124-73-19 in a career highlighted by an NCAA Division III National Championship in 1996.

2005 NJAC MEN'S SOCCER ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS