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| NJIT MEN’S SOCCER SIGNS SIX TO LETTERS OF INTENT New Jersey, New Hampshire, Texas and Ontario Represented In Class of 2009 NEWARK, N.J. – New Jersey Institute of Technology head men’s soccer coach Pedro Lopes announced today the signing of the following six high-school seniors to national letters of intent: Rafael Barrera of Red Oak, Texas; Kevin Blanco of North Brunswick; Dylan Broadley of Milford, New Hampshire; Kayo Emojong of Whitby, Ontario; Scott Rietze of Bowmanville, Ontario; and Clay Smith of Plano, Texas. The NJIT men’s soccer program has a .542 winning percentage in its 53-year history, including the NAIA national championship in 1960. The Highlanders have made 17 postseason appearances and can boast of 17 all-Americans. In 2005, they will embark on their second season as members of NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Soccer Conference. Barrera, a central defender, attends Red Oak High. His club team, the River Plate Soccer Club, was ranked second in North Texas in 2004. He will study business management. “Rafael is very good with the ball and loves to start the attack,” Lopes said. “What makes him special are his great instincts to win the ball before the attacker receives it. Rafael loves to tackle and always makes sure the opponent worries about him.” Blanco attended North Brunswick Township, leading his team to the Greater Middlesex Championship. He also plays for the Jersey Knights Soccer Club, and is a National Honor Society member. He expects to major in business management. “Kevin is the prototypical New Jersey soccer player – a blue-collar team player,” Lopes said. “He likes to attack and normally plays forward or wide midfield. With his leadership and versatility, I expect him to fight for a starting position.” Broadley was a three-time all-state selection at Milford High, including first-team honors as a senior. A three-year captain, he scored 53 goals in his scholastic career. He has three years of Olympic Development Program experience, and his club team, Hampshire FC, advanced to the Region I championships the last two years. He will major in business management. “Dylan brings great quickness and the attitude to go to goal,” Lopes said. “He will be asked to help our attack right from the start of his career.” Emojong plays for the Toronto Lynx of the Super Y League. With Emojong as a midfielder, the Lynx’s attack outscored their opposition, 60-2, during their recent run to the Y League national semifinals. He will soon graduate from Sinclair Secondary School, and will study business management at NJIT. “Kayo is very athletic, good with the ball and has tremendous work rate,” Lopes said. “He will be expected to make an immediate impact.” Rietze was a teammate of Emojong on the Toronto Lynx, helping them to a 13-0-0 season and a Heartland Division championship in the Super Y League. A defender, he was an instrumental member of a Lynx unit which allowed two goals all season. He was a three-time team MVP for Courtice Secondary School, and intends to study biology. “Scott is tenacious and good with the ball,” Lopes said. “He is another player who could have an immediate impact for us.” Smith, a three-year captain for Plano High, was honorable-mention all-district as a senior. He played club soccer with Dallas Inter. “Clay is a very good athlete,” Lopes said. “He has the technical and tactical ability to play numerous positions.” -- MARK MENTONE Coordinator of Sports Information Services, New Jersey Institute of Technology Information Director, Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (973) 596-8324 FAX (973) 596-8440 |
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