New Jersey City University placed fourth in the poll and received one first place vote. The Gothic Knights posted a 17-7-1 overall record in 2005 before advancing to the semifinals of the NJAC Tournament en route to earning an at-large selection to the NCAA National Championship Tournament. NJCU returns four all-conference players from its 2005 side including junior goalkeeper Bruce Neves, senior back Ronnie Sanchez, and a pair of sophomore midfielders in brothers Edison and Jonathan Bilbao. Under the direction of ninth-year head coach Kevin East, the Gothic Knights have posted an overall record of 106-60-8.

The coaches’ dark horse selection, Rowan University, was selected to place fifth. Under the leadership of 31st-year head coach Dan Gilmore, the Profs posted a 9-8-3 overall record in 2005. Gilmore has accumulated a career coaching mark of 480-118-43 during his tenure in Glassboro.

Ramapo College was tapped to place sixth. Third-year head coach DJ Pinton led the Roadrunners to a 14-4-3 overall record in 2005 en route to the semifinals of the NJAC Tournament and a championship match draw in the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament. During his tenure in Mahwah, Pinton has produced an overall record of 26-10-4. Ramapo returns four all-conference players from its 2005 side including sophomore midfielder Benji Eggart, sophomore back Ryan Lahey, sophomore forward Jim Scillieri, and senior midfielder Kevin Bradley.

Kean University was selected to place seventh by the league coaches and received one first place vote. Under the direction of 31st-year head coach Tony Ochrimenko, the Cougars have produced an overall record of 397-171-39. Kean returns a league-high five all-conference players from a squad that finished 8-8-5 in 2005 including junior back Konrad Kruczek, senior forward Jorge Montesinos, sophomore midfielder Thomas Azdzik, junior midfielder Damien Serafin, and junior back Martin Garrido.

After finishing the 2005 season with an overall record of 15-5-1 while advancing to the championship match of the NJAC Tournament, Rutgers-Camden was tapped to place eighth. The Scarlet Raptors, who received one first place vote, will be led by new first-year head coach Tim Oswald. Rutgers-Camden will return a pair of all-conference midfielders from last year’s squad in junior Pat Baldiserra and senior Michael Reed.

William Paterson University, under the direction of 15th-year head coach Brian Woods, placed ninth in the poll. The Pioneers return a trio of senior all-conference performers from a 2005 squad that finished 9-7-3 overall including forward Jay Hooper, back Michael Petracca, and back Matt Osman.

Rutgers University-Newark was tapped for 10th place in the poll. Under the guidance of third-year head coach Nansha Kalonji, the Scarlet Raiders return one all-conference player in sophomore forward Vinny Porta.

NJAC league play will get underway on Saturday, September 16 with all 10 teams in action.

The top six regular season finishers will advance to the 2006 NJAC Championship Tournament, with all matches played at the site of the highest seed. The NJAC Tournament first round will take place on Saturday, October 28 with the first and second-seeded teams receiving byes. The league semifinals will be held on Tuesday, October 31, and the 2006 NJAC Championship Match will take place on Friday, November 3.

The NJAC Tournament Champion receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA
Division III National Championship Tournament.