Men's Soccer

Cougars Tabbed Third In NJAC Preseason Poll

Pitman, N.J. (8/22/07) - The Kean University men's soccer team was selected to place third and received two first place votes as the New Jersey Athletic Conference preseason poll was released today. Under the leadership of 32nd-year head coach Tony Ochrimenko, the Cougars have posted a mark of 407-179-44. In 2006, the squad posted a record of 10-8-5 while advancing to the semifinals of the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament. The Cougars returns a league-high five all-conference players including the reigning NJAC Offensive Player of the Year in senior forward Anthony Tuesta. In addition, the Cougars return all-league performers in senior back Konrad Kruczek, senior midfielder Damien Serafin, senior back Thomas Fink, and senior goalkeeper Kyle Crego.

The 2007 Kean University men's soccer team has high hopes as they return 18 players from last season, including eight starters. The Cougars hope to blend their veteran experience with talented newcomers and improve on their 2006 season in which they finished 10-8-5 and reached the semifinals of the ECAC Metro Tournament.

At forward, the Cougars should find offensive threats from several players, including the 2006 NJAC Offensive Player of the Year, Anthony Tuesta (Clifton, N.J.).  Tuesta notched a team-high 13 goals last season, including four game-winners, as he earned D3kicks.com All-American Second Team honors.  Damian Serafin (Wallington, N.J.) enters his senior season after recording six goals and three assists in 2006, good for second on the team, while junior Cory Wilson (Woodbury, N.J.) registered eight points with three goals and two assists a year ago.

In the midfield,  Kean has a wealth of talent and experience as 10 Cougars return for the 2007 season.  Senior Konrad Kruczek (Clifton, N.J.), a three-time All-NJAC selection as well as two-time All-Region recipient, anchors the position after tallying four goals last season.  Seniors Mark Wallis (New Grenta, N.J.) and Thomas Fink (Hamilton, N.J.) return with valuable experience from last year while Edgar Chaves (Bridgewater, N.J.) will enter his senior season after recording five goals and an assist in 2006.  

On defense, the Cougars will return four players who combined not only for solid defense last season, but also a touch of offense, combining on two goals and four assists.  Senior Jeff Fisher (Lawrence, N.J.) returns with the most experience from last season appearing in 18 games while junior Thomas Azydzik (Clark, N.J.) started in 10 games and tallied five points.  Sophomore Thomas Bodyziak (Clifton, N.J.) rounds out the returners with significant playing time last season.  Several other newcomers will challenge for playing time on defense this season.

Kean will return senior Kyle Crego (Ocean City, N.J.) on the back line after he tallied a career high 110 saves last season.  Crego, who ranks third all time in program history with 164 saves, has appeared in 38 games in three seasons as he enters his senior campaign.