Men's Soccer Hands Out Awards at Postseason Banquet
Nov 29 | Men's Soccer
SOMERSET, NJ – The Rutgers men’s soccer team held its annual awards banquet on Monday evening at the Holiday Inn in Somerset, NJ.
Sophomore Nick LaBrocca (Howell, NJ), a 2004 All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, was named the team’s Most Valuable Player, taking home the Bob McNulty Award. LaBrocca was one of three Scarlet Knights to start all 18 games this season. He finished the year with three assists. The midfielder served a perfect lob feed to forward Chris Karcz (Clifton, NJ) in the Scarlet Knights’ final game of the Philips/adidas Rutgers Classic against No. 18 Hartwick, setting Karcz up for the goal. He earned a spot on the All-Tournament team for his efforts. He also assisted freshman Tommy Gray (Middletown, NJ) on two separate occasions in victories over Monmouth and Lehigh.
Karcz and Wes Kirk (Bloomfield, NJ) shared the Alfred Sasser Trophy, awarded annually to a member of the senior class who has demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership, initiative, team spirit and loyalty, who participated as a member of the varsity soccer team for three years.
Karcz suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left leg last spring and, following surgery, spent the entire summer rehabilitating. He missed the first six games of his senior season before making his first appearance in the first half against Villanova on Sept. 22. He returned to the starting lineup for RU’s next match against third-ranked Michigan at Yurcak Field on Sept. 24. The striker scored two goals in Rutgers’ 3-0 victory over the Wolverines, earning College Soccer News National Player of the Week honors on Sept. 27. Karcz added a goal against No. 18 Hartwick in the Philips/adidas Rutgers Classic, earning All-Tournament honors. The forward ended his career with 18 goals and 13 assists, playing in 76 games with 71 starts. He finished with six game-winning goals to tie for 10th on the school’s all-time list. He is a three-time All-BIG EAST selection, earning third-team honors in 2002 and 2004 and second team laurels in 2003. He is also a two-time NSCAA All-Region selection, earning the award in 2002 and 2003.
Kirk started every match the past three seasons since transferring from the University of Maryland for the start of the 2002 campaign. Due to injuries to his teammates, he was moved to wing back where he starred the past two seasons. He registered an assist in a 1-1 tie with William & Mary this season to earn a spot on the Old Dominion Classic All-Tournament Team.
Junior Scott Gahagan (Old Bridge, NJ) was the recipient of the Art Brinkmann Award. The honor is awarded annually to the top goal scorer on the team. The midfielder finished the year with four goals, including the game-winner in overtime to lead Rutgers to an upset of No. 12 Boston College on Oct. 9. He also tallied scores against third-ranked Michigan, Lehigh and Monmouth. All four of his goals came in the second half.
The George Dochat Award for Sportsmanship is handed out to the player whose character, both on and off the field, best exemplifies the virtues of courage, honor, and fair play. Senior Gustavo Mora (Asuncion, Paraguay) was this year’s recipient. He appeared in 16 of Rutgers’ 18 games, making 13 starts. He tied for fourth on the team in scoring with one goal and two assists. The versatile Mora was utilized at a number of different positions this season due to injuries to his teammates.
The Richard Ferraro Award is annually handed out to the player who was most inspirational to the team’s success and demonstrated the dedication, spirit and values of the Rutgers soccer program. Senior Anthony Schiavino (North Hunterdon, NJ) took home the 2004 award. Schiavino, who started every match in 2002 and 2003, was sidelined for several games this season due to injury. He appeared in 14 games this season, making nine starts. A true distinction of this award, Schiavino traveled with the team and supported his teammates when he was unable to compete. He set up the winning score in an early-season victory over Providence.
The banquet also honored Rutgers’ nine-member senior class, which included Karcz, Kirk, Mora, Schiavino, Brian Johnson (Marshfield, MA), Pablo Ponce (La Paz, Bolivia), Andrew Herman (Oceanside, NY), George Vasilakis (Toms River, N) and Jon Bruno (Millstone, NJ).
Rutgers ended the 2004 season 6-8-4 overall and 2-5-4 in the BIG EAST. The Scarlet Knights’ youthful squad returns 23 members in 2005, including its top two scorers from this season. Head coach Bob Reasso will enter his 25th season at the helm of the Rutgers program in 2005.
Award Recipients
Bob McNulty (MVP) Award – Nick LaBrocca
Alfred Sasser Trophy – Chris Karcz, Wes Kirk
George Dochat Certificate – Gustavo Mora
Art Brinkmann (Top Scorer) Award – Scott Gahagan
Richard Ferraro Award – Anthony Schiavino
