Rutgers Men's Soccer Names Captains For 2008 Season
Nov 12 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers veteran head coach Bob Reasso has announced that current redshirt-juniors Ryan Breznitsky (Scotch Plains, N.J.) and Amir Haghshenas (Wyckoff, N.J.) will serve as co-captains for the upcoming 2008 season.
"It's time to turn the page and start thinking about next year," said Reasso. "The guys have elected Amir and Ryan as captains. Amir was Matt's [VanOekel] understudy at goalkeeper and played very well during our Holland tour. Ryan was a medical redshirt this year and he also played very well this past spring. Neither one of them were big factors this year, but when you elect captains, you're looking for guys who work hard and have great characters. I think they are both honest, hard-working guys who are great leaders and I'm delighted both of them were named captain."
Breznitsky, who was coming off a solid showing during the team's tour of Holland this past spring, appeared in just one game this season before being forced to the sideline with a nagging injury. He played in the first half of the Scarlet Knights' contest against then-No. 3 Notre Dame on Sept. 21. For his career, Breznitsky has played in 22 games, making 15 starts at back.
Haghshenas served as the backup goalkeeper this season. He also had a terrific outing during the Holland tour and is poised to replace the graduated VanOekel as the starting goalie for the 2008 schedule. Haghshenas has appeared in just one game as a Scarlet Knight, seeing time between the posts against Cleveland State in 2006.
"What we're trying to do right now, even though we had a disappointing fall is look toward the future and this is the first step," Reasso added. "The guys are already working hard playing pick-up games, lifting and doing all the things they have to do."
The Scarlet Knights ended the 2007 season 7-11-1 overall and 4-7-0 in BIG EAST play. RU finished just one spot out of qualifying for the conference tournament.
