August 25, 2008

MONTCLAIR STATE SELECTED AS MEN'S SOCCER FAVORITE
IN POLL OF LEAGUE'S HEAD COACHES

TWO-TIME DEFENDING NJAC CHAMPS SEEKING THEIR NINTH CROWN SINCE 1961

After capturing the past two NJAC Championships while advancing to the third and fourth rounds of the NCAA Tournament in the 2006 and 2007 seasons respectively, Montclair State University was selected as the 2008 preseason men's soccer favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Red Hawks, who have posted an overall record of 39-4-2 over the past two seasons including a mark of 19-3-1 in 2007, are seeking their ninth conference crown since 1961.

Montclair State was selected to finish first on seven-of-the-ten ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under the direction of seventh-year head coach Brian Sentowski, the Red Hawks have posted an overall record of 91-25-12. MSU notched a 7-2 league record in 2007 and captured its second consecutive conference crown with a 1-0 championship match road win at top-seeded NJCU. The Red Hawks return four all-conference players from their championship side including senior forward Tyler Masterson, junior midfielder Joseph Cullen, senior back Eric Pfeifer, and the 2007 NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year in senior Nick Mele.

New Jersey City University, which captured the 2007 NJAC regular season championship with a 7-1-1 league mark before advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, was selected to finish second and received three first place vote. Led by 2007 NJAC Coach of the Year Cristian da Silva, the Gothic Knights posted an overall mark of 18-5-1 in their first campaign under the rookie head coach. NJCU returns three of the league’s 2007 NJAC major award winners including the Offensive Player of the Year in senior forward Cristhian Acuna; the Pat Baldiserra Midfielder of the Year in senior Edison Bilbao; and the David Logar Leadership Award recipient in junior back Jean Mombrun. In addition, the Gothic Knights return an additional pair of all-league standouts in senior midfielder Jonathan Bilbao and junior back John Bernal.

Richard Stockton College, which advanced to the semifinals of the ECAC Metro Tournament in 2007, was selected to place third. Led by 11th-year head coach Jeff Haines, the Ospreys have posted an overall mark of 168-52-16 during his tenure, including a record of 11-8-2 in 2007. Stockton returns four all-conference players from its 2007 squad including senior back Jon Kopytko, senior back Ray Nelson, junior forward Sean McCallum, and the 2007 NJAC Rookie of the Year, sophomore forward Rafael Duarte.

Rutgers University-Camden, led by third-year head coach Tim Oswald, was selected to place fourth. In 2007, the Scarlet Raptors captured their second consecutive ECAC Metro Tournament Championship en route to a 13-7-3 overall record. Under the leadership of Oswald, Camden has notched a 26-11-9 overall record. The Scarlet Raptors return one all-league player from their 2007 ECAC championship squad in senior forward Andrew Dorsey.

The College of New Jersey, which posted a 10-6-3 overall record in 2007, was selected to place fifth. Under the direction of 14th-year head coach George Nazario, the Lions have accumulated an overall record of 143-88-23. TCNJ returns one all-conference player from its 2007 squad in junior forward Kevin Luber.

Ramapo College, led by fifth-year head coach DJ Pinton, was selected to place sixth. In 2007, the Roadrunners finished 12-5-2 while advancing to the semifinals of the ECAC Metro Tournament. Under Pinton’s leadership, Ramapo has posted a 48-22-7 overall record. The Roadrunners return three all-conference players for their 2007 squad including junior goalkeeper Ian Tighe, sophomore forward Giuseepe Trani, and the 2007 NJAC Defensive Player of the Year in senior back Ryan Lahey.

Rowan University, led by 33rd-year head coach Dan Gilmore, was selected to place seventh. The Profs have posted an overall record of 502-134-46 under Gilmore, including a mark of 12-8-1 in 2007. Rowan returns a pair of all-conference backs from its 2007 side including senior Eric Campesi and sophomore Randall Kohr.

Kean University, under the leadership of 33rd-year head coach Tony Ochrimenko, was selected to place eighth. The Cougars have notched an overall record of 416-189-44 under Ochrimenko, including a record of 9-10-0 in 2007. Kean returns one all-league player from 2007 in senior back James Doherty.

Rutgers-Newark, which posted a 9-10-1 overall record in 2007, was selected to place ninth and was tapped as the coaches’ dark horse selection. The Scarlet Raiders are led by second-year head coach Kevin East, who has accumulated an overall head coaching record of 132-76-12.

William Paterson University, under the leadership of 17th-year head coach Brian Woods, was selected to place 10th. Woods has posted an overall head coaching mark of 115-154-17 in Wayne, including a record of 8-9-1 in 2007. William Paterson returns one all-conference player from 2007 in sophomore back Chris Belan.

The 50th season of NJAC men's soccer will kickoff on Friday, August 29 with four league teams in non-conference action. Conference play will begin on Saturday, September 20. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Saturday, November 1. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Tuesday, November 4, and the league championship match will be played at the site of the highest remaining seed on Friday, November 7. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.