Karcz, LaBrocca Selected to NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region Team
Dec 03 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, NJ – Rutgers senior forward Chris Karcz (Clifton, NJ) and sophomore midfielder Nick LaBrocca (Howell, NJ) have each been selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of American All-Mid-Atlantic Region Team, the group announced on Friday. LaBrocca earned second-team honors, while Karcz was a third-team pick.
The honor is the third for Karcz in as many years, as he earned second team honors last season while earning a spot on the third team in 2002. 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 goal gave him at least one point in each of his four years of participation in the tournament. He finished his career in the tournament with four goals.
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 this season and in 2002 and second team laurels in 2003.
LaBrocca was one of three Scarlet Knights to start all 18 games this season. He finished the year with three assists. LaBrocca fed a perfect lob to Karcz in the Scarlet Knights’ final game of the Philips/adidas Rutgers Classic against No. 18 Hartwick, setting Karcz up for the goal and 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. It was LaBrocca’s third post season honor as he was also selected to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, while earning MVP honors at the team’s awards banquet.
Rutgers ended the 2004 season 6-8-4 overall and 2-5-4 in the BIG EAST. The Scarlet Knights return 23 members in 2005 and RU’s youthful squad will head into next season’s campaign more experienced and determined to recapture the success of past years.
