PITMAN, NJ --- Rutgers-Newark junior forward Franco Catania (Elmwood Park, NJ/Elmwood Park) and Stockton University senior James McCombs (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) have been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year respectively for the 2021 season. Additionally, Montclair State’s Josiah Crawford (Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) is named the Pat Baldiserra Midfielder of the Year; Ramapo’s Joshua Schaffer (Ringwood, NJ/Lakeland) and Rutgers-Newark’s Andres Medina (Howell, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep) are Co-Goalkeepers of the Year; and Montclair State’s Amer Lukovic (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) is Rookie of the Year. MSU’s Gene Carlo Altamirano (Garfield, NJ/Garfield) earns the David Logar Leadership Award.

In total, 49 student-athletes garnered all-conference recognition. All selections were determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches.

Catania led Rutgers-Newark to a 5-1-3 NJAC record and a quarterfinal round bye in the conference tournament. The three-time all-conference selection was the league leader in conference-only points (19), conference-only goals (9), overall goals (18), and overall points (40).

McCombs anchored the Stockton back line this season, helping the Ospreys limit conference opponents to just five goals. The three-time all-conference pick led a Stockton squad that ranked first in the NJAC in team goals against average (.541) in conference play and tied for the conference low in total goals yielded (5).

Crawford earned his first career postseason honors after leading the Montclair State midfield as the Red Hawks won the conference regular season title and top seed in the tournament. He was second in the NJAC in conference-only assists (4) and tied for third in overall assists (6), while helping the Red Hawks achieve a national ranking as high as No. 5 this season.

Medina, a four-time all-conference selection and now two-time Goalkeeper of the Year, went 9-4-3 with six shutouts this season. His four shutouts in conference play ranked second among NJAC keepers. He also ranked third among NJAC keepers with a .911 conference-only goals against average.

Schaffer, a four-time all-conference keeper and now three-time Goalkeeper of the Year, posted a league-best .828 overall save percentage this season. He put together a 1.45 goals against average in conference play and a .806 conference-only save percentage.

Altamirano was the recipient of the conference’s David Logar Leadership Award. The award is presented annually to the player who best displays the attributes of leadership and courage. The sophomore midfielder started 11 of 17 games this season, including every conference game. He is a First Team All-Conference honoree who posted 12 points on five goals and two assists this season.

Lukovic was selected as the NJAC Rookie of the Year. A three-time Rookie of the Week and one time Offensive Player of the Week selection, Lukovic led the NJAC in game-winning goals overall (6) and in conference play (4). He also ranked second in conference-only goals (7), conference-only points (150, overall goals (16), and overall points (37).

Montclair State head coach Todd Tumelty was tapped as the NJAC Coach of the Year by his peers for the third time in his career. He has guided the Red Hawks to a 16-2-1 overall record and the NJAC regular season title. Now in his 12th year at the helm, Tumelty has guided the Red Hawks to an overall record of 177-42-17.
 

2021 NJAC MEN'S SOCCER ALL-CONFERENCE