Rutgers soccer team has a local feel to it

BY MIKE McDONALD Staff Writer

BY MIKE McDONALD
Staff Writer

The Rutgers men’s soccer team (4-5) has not gotten off to the best start, but after the team’s latest victory against the University of South Florida, the Scarlet Knights’ fortunes may be changing.

The win Saturday against the Big East opponent has head coach Bob Reasso optimistic about the rest of the year.

Every team has games during the season where they are considered “must wins.” This was Rutgers’ first “must win” of the year, and the victory sure got Reasso’s attention.

“It was a great win for us,” Reasso said. “USF is a good team, and to beat them on their ground was just what we needed after Wednesday’s loss [to Villanova]. All of the alumni and Scarlet R Club members who stayed to watch our match really helped us in the last 28 minutes when we were playing a man down. I couldn’t be prouder of the guys.”

Reasso is coaching in his 26th season and has amassed 337 career victories, ranking him 15th all-time. He has been very passionate and committed to every team he has coached at Rutgers since 1981.

This year’s soccer team has a lot of New Jersey ties to it. Ryan Breznitsky, Sean Cameron, Ravi Gill, Kyle Grato, Amir Haghshenas, Dylan Hastings, Nick Labrocca, Adam Lloyd, Kevin O’Connor, Joey Sorrentino and Adam Sternberger all attended New Jersey high schools, and are now attempting to carry over their stardom at the high school level to the college ranks.

Sean Cameron, a junior defenseman out of North Brunswick, is playing in his last year of college eligibility. After transferring from University of Connecticut, he quickly impressed the coach with his versatility.

“Sean is a very gifted, physical player,” the coach said. “He is very technical, can play in a lot of positions and is a very instrumental player for us.”

Cameron so far this year has one goal and two assists.

Sophomore defenseman Breznitsky, of Scotch Plains, who is playing in his second full season at Rutgers, proved last year that he belongs and that he has a bright future ahead of him.

“He was hurt a bit his freshman and sophomore years but proved he can play on this level. He should be fighting for playing time,” said Reasso.

So far this year, the defender has started every game and taken two shots, but has not scored any goals yet.

Junior defenseman O’Conner, of Freehold, played in 19 games last year, and Reasso expects a lot out of him the rest of the way.

“Kevin has very good skills and balance. We put him at left back last season out of desperation, and he embraced it,” the coach said. “He’s someone we can rely on.”

Senior midfielder Labrocca, of Howell, who attended Christian Brothers Academy, started all 18 games last year and earned All-Big East and NCAA All-Region second-team honors. With one more year of experience under his belt, he should have another great year this fall. The coach believes how well the team does depends on his star player.

“Nicky is probably our most experienced player. As Nicky goes, we will go,” Reasso said.

Labrocca has one goal so far this season.

Junior defenseman Grato, of Princeton Junction, played well last year off the bench. This year, the coach has been trying to get Grato more playing time to give him more of an opportunity to show what he can do.

“Last spring, he impressed us when we moved him to centerback. His strength and size can make him a major factor this year,” said Reasso.

Sophomore midfielder Lloyd, of Warwick, is a very versatile player who played well in his freshman season, but Rutgers needs him to contribute even more to be successful this year.

“He may be the best athlete on the team, and his athleticism allows him to play multiple positions,” Reasso said.

Sternberger, a junior forward out of Mays Landing, is probably the team’s best offensive scoring threat. “He was our leading scorer last year and we expect him to pick up where he left off,” said Reasso. Sternberger has two goals and one assist so far this year.

Freshman forward Sorrentino, of Trenton, “is a proven international player. He has a great deal of experience, which will make his transition that much easier,” Reasso said.

Hastings, a sophomore goalkeeper out of Tabermeade who transferred from Kean University, looks to give the team some depth in goal.

“He started at the end of the season last year for Kean College, so he’s a goalkeeper with experience. I’m looking forward to watching him,” said Reasso.

So far this season, Hastings has started one game and did not allow one goal. He made two saves and he now gives Rutgers a chance to rest the team’s starting goalie Matt Vanoekel a rest, while not having to worry about suffering a loss.

Another sophomore goalkeeper, Amir Haghshenas, of Wyckoff, was a first-team All-State player at Ramapo High School. Last year, he missed most of the year because he was hurt, but this year Haghshenas is healthy, and the coach already knows what he is capable of.

“He was hurt last year so we didn’t see much of him, but we know he’s got great hands, great agility, and is very courageous,” Reasso said.

Freshman goalkeeper Ravi Gill, of Morganville, had a very successful high school career at Marlboro High School, but now he looks to translate that success to the college level. He certainly has his new coach excited.

“He’s a pure freshman and I’m excited to see what he can do for us,” Reasso said.

This year’s team has not gotten off to the best of starts, but the latest win against the University of South Florida may be just what the doctor ordered. Rutgers currently stands in fourth place in the Red Division of the Big East, but is 3-4 and first-place Cincinnati University is only 5-2.

Needless to say, the Scarlet Knights will have plenty of opportunities to emerge as one of the Big East’s teams to beat.