Brick’s Kathy DeTata chooses
to play soccer at Seton Hall
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer
Kathy DeTata of Brick Township has been recruited for basketball by many colleges but has ended the process to accept a scholarship to Seton Hall University, South Orange, for the other sport she plays — soccer.
"I wanted to play at a high level," said DeTata, who will sign later this week for a full scholarship — half academic and half athletic — and plans to study biology. "With soccer, I have a chance to play in the Big East, but for basketball, the offers are from (NCAA) Division II schools."
DeTata said it was down to Lehigh (Bethlehem, Pa.) and Seton Hall and said the idea of matriculating at a college close to home "also is a factor. Lehigh is over two hours away."
Interestingly, her sister, Marissa, is competing in cross country and track and field as a freshman at another Big East college in New Jersey — Rutgers. DeTata has been one of the biggest scorers in the Shore in both sports. Her efforts helped Brick Township’s soccer team to a winning season, a berth in the state tournament, a split with Brick Memorial during the regular season by 3-2 scores, and then a 4-3 overtime loss in the state tournament to eventual state champion Brick Memorial.
"When I talked to the Seton Hall coach, they have a very good defense but not good scoring opportunities and they’re looking for goal-scorers," said DeTata. "This year probably was my best for soccer. I was better taking players on one-on-one and have better foot skills."
DeTata says making the decision now has helped take off the distractions from basketball, where she is second in the Shore in scoring (18.3 ppg) and second in steals (6.1). DeTata led the Shore in scoring last season.
"There’s less pressure worrying about where I want to go [to college]," said DeTata. "I can concentrate on playing basketball and having more fun with it."
DeTata is looking to help Brick Township’s girls basketball team, which comes into the week with a 7-6 record, to qualify for the state tournament with six games left before the state cutoff.
"It’s her decision and I support her 100 percent on it," said Brick Township girls basketball coach Mark Truhan, who had organized the college basketball recruiting process.
DeTata also soon will begin training with F.C. Vision Blackthorn, the club soccer team with which she will play at forward and midfield in the spring for the third straight year. The team reached the State Cup quarterfinals last spring.
"I definitely want to run more in the spring and to get faster and stronger, which will help me get better at shooting," said DeTata.