Rutgers Ranked 24th by College Soccer News
Aug 03 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers men's soccer team was ranked 24th in the nation by College Soccer News, it was announced. The Scarlet Knights are coming off of a brilliant 2006 season which concluded the with a nine-game unbeaten streak and berths in the BIG EAST Championship and NCAA Tournament.
"It's is nice for our fans, but the only thing that matters is winning," said head coach Bob Reasso, of the team's preseason ranking.
Among the key returnees this fall is senior All-American candidate Chris Moore (Gosforth, England). Moore helped spark the offense last season with a team-best five assists. He will look to classmate Adam Sternberger (Mays Landing, N.J.) for help in the attacking third, as Sternberger has been the team's leading goal scorer for the past two seasons.
Joining Moore and Sternberger will be fellow senior Kevin O'Connor (Freehold, N.J.), who was third on the team with three goals and a pair of assists.
Senior Kyle Grato (Princeton Junction, N.J.) along with redshirt juniors Jake Martenson (Winchester, Va.) and Ryan Breznitsky (Scotch Plains, N.J.) will also return to help anchor a traditionally tough Scarlet Knight defense. The group provides a solid core and should add experience and leadership on the back line this fall.
Senior goalkeeper Matt VanOekel (Chesapeake, Va.) looks to work his way back from injury and maintain the starting role. He had a standout junior campaign, finishing the season with a goals-against-average of 0.83, while allowing multiple goals in just three of RU's 19 games and posting six shutouts.
The Scarlet Knights will also welcome a stellar 13-member class which was rated 27th in the nation by College Soccer News.
Rutgers will open play for the 2007 season on Tuesday, August 21, when it hosts the University of Montreal in an exhibition match at 7:00 p.m. at Yurcak Field. The regular season officially begins on Friday, August 31, as the Scarlet Knights travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. to take on the Wolverines at 7:30 p.m.
