WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University senior back Matt Jeffery (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) has been selected by the Colorado Rapids in the fourth round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft (No. 78 overall). He becomes the fifth Hawk selected by an MLS team in the last five years, following Bryan Meredith (No. 29, Seattle), Ryan Kinne (No. 42, New England), RJ Allen (No. 43, Chivas USA) and Ryan Clark (No. 39, New York Red Bulls), and the seventh overall, also joining Hugh MacDonald and Tom Gray.

“It's a dream come true to be drafted,” said Jeffery. “It's something every player dreams of when they're young and trying to develop and shooting to become a professional soccer player. I'm thankful and very blessed to be given this opportunity to go out to Colorado and try to prove myself. I can't say enough about the program and coaching staff at Monmouth for helping in my development. I'm thankful for the past four years in helping to put me in position to be where I am today with the potential of signing a professional contract.”

A three-time All-Region selection, Jeffery earned his second-consecutive MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award this season, joining current Monmouth Associate Head Coach Hugh MacDonald as the only two Hawks to earn multiple conference defensive player of the year honors. He also earned his second-straight All-MAAC First Team selection and ECAC All-Star Second Team honors after anchoring a Hawks defense that led the nation in save percentage (.883) and goals-against average (0.48) en route to Monmouth's fifth conference tournament championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in the last nine years.  

“We are very happy for Matt,” said Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt. “Matt has had a fantastic career here at Monmouth University and is deserving of this opportunity in Major League Soccer. Matt is a very coachable player and has grown as a player over the past four seasons. Matt's training habits mirror that of a young professional which should help him progress through the next stage of his career. “I am excited to watch him play at the next level.”  

Jeffery also made a strong contribution offensively, assisting on goals against then-league leading Rider on Oct. 29 and in the NCAA Tournament at Xavier, while also scoring a goal in the MAAC Semifinals against Iona. Jeffery also helped Monmouth to the 2011 NCAA Tournament Second Round, starting on the Hawks' back line and scoring a goal at No. 5 Connecticut in the tournament.