Emily Jurcsek of Middlesex Academy has made her verbal commitment to Kean University, which will make her the first girl from the school to play soccer in college. She played on the boys varsity team during her high school career. Emily Jurcsek is not the first girl to play on the Middlesex Academy’s boys soccer team. She will, however, become the first to play in college. The senior recently committed to play at Kean University.
Middlesex Academy, a small school in Edison officially named the Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies, doesn’t have enough students to field a girls team. For the girls talented enough to play on the varsity level, it means playing with the boys.
Eagles head coach Kathy McNulty pointed out that her center midfielder earned her way onto the soccer pitch.
“It’s the result of her effort,” Mc- Nulty said. “She has a solid foundation and technical understanding of soccer.
“She played multiple positions and has a complete understanding of the game,” she added.
According to Jurcsek, playing for the boys made her a better player.
“It’s a very different game,” she said. “The boys are physically stronger and faster.”
That didn’t stop her from leading the Eagles in scoring this past fall.
Jurcsek, who lives in Edison, said speed is her greatest strength when she plays with the girls for the FC Coba travel team. It was a weakness against the guys, forcing her to do other things that, in turn, made her a better all-around player.
The Eagles’ boys were very accepting of Jurcsek and fellow girls player Joanne Dallagnese. At first, Jurcsek, a three-year starter for the Eagles, said there was some resentment from the other teams, but “once they realize you can play, they back off,” she said. Used to being an attacking forward, Jurcsek noted that she benefited from playing center midfield for the Eagles. That made her play with her back to the goal at times, and everything went through her at Middlesex Academy. Instead of going straight ahead to attack the goal, it required her to see the entire field. It made her tactically a better player, she said.
Jurcsek is aware of the historic importance of her achievement. She has paved the way for future Middlesex
Academy girls.
“It shows they can do whatever they want,” she said.
It was while she was in middle school that Jurcsek began to think about playing in college. She said players from FC Copa that she looked up were going on to play in college, and that made it a goal for her. Now, she is the player others are looking up to and using as their role model.
Soccer is a year-round commitment for Jurcsek. The severe weather this winter hasn’t kept her away. She’s currently playing Futsal with her club team. It is an indoor game that combines soccer and basketball. Jurcsek pointed out that it requires “more passing and footwork.” Players also have to make decisions quicker.
Jurcsek began her path to college soccer at an early age. She moved up the ranks from recreation ball to travel ball with FC Copa.
Both Jurcsek and Dallagnese, who lives in South River and played center back, received postseason recognition for their play with the Eagles last fall. Dallagnese was All-Greater Middlesex County, and Jurcsek was named to the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association’s All-State Team.
“I’m happy that we did get recognized for our efforts,” Jurcsek said.
With her high school career behind her, Jurcsek said she is “anxious” to begin her college career playing for Kean.