WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University Men's Soccer Head Coach Robert McCourt has announced the addition of ten student-athletes for the 2019 season. In 15 seasons at Monmouth, McCourt has compiled a 159-84-52 (.627) record while leading the Hawks to five conference championships and nine regular season titles.

"We are excited about the 2019 recruiting class," said McCourt. "This class brings a wide range of talented players that will add quality and experience right away. There is a balance of top-level high school players, international players, and transfer students. The core of last year's team will return, and we're looking forward to preparation for the fall as a full group."

The Hawks will open the 2019 season on August 30 against West Virginia. It will be the first of eight home contests on the year.

MEET THE CLASS

Anthony Arena
Holmdel, NJ
5'10, 170 lbs
Forward
High School: Holmdel
Club Team: NJX
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Scored 65 goals with 49 assists in his high school career…Two-time First Team All-State…Two-time First Team All-Conference… Two-time Shore Conference Player of the Year… Led team to two state championships… Played in High School All-American game and scored a goal… As a junior, recorded 35 goals and 25 assists, both single-season school records
 
Pablo Fonseca
San Jose, Costa Rica
6'2, 175 lbs
Defense
High School: Saint Clare
Club Team: Uruguay de Coronado
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Scored six goals in a U-20 Tournament… Won U-20 National Championship in fall of 2018… Reached U-20 National Semifinals in spring of 2018
 
Julian Gomez
Fairview, NJ
5'11, 165 lbs
Forward
High School: St. Benedict's
Club Team: Cedar Stars Academy
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Scored 55 goals in his high school career, including 28 during his junior and senior season at St. Benedict's… In his first two years at Cliffside Park, he earned First Team All-League, First Team All-County, Second Team All-Group, and was named MVP of the league… First Team All-Prep as a senior… Was part of St. Benedict's team that won two national championships and was ranked No. 1 in the country
 
Declan McStravick
Keansburg, NJ
6'3, 160 lbs
Defense
High School: Mater Dei Prep
Previous School: St. John's
Club Team: Cedar Stars Academy
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Attended Mater Dei Prep as a junior and senior after starring for Christian Brothers Academy… As the only underclassman on the varsity team, helped lead CBA to a Shore Conference Championship and a Non-Public A Sectional Championship in 2015… helped Cedar Stars reach the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs in 2016… Trained with Linfield United Football and their U-18 Academy Team in Belfast, Northern Ireland
 
Ryan Nigro
Morganville, NJ
5'8, 150 lbs
Midfield
High School: Christian Brothers Academy
Previous Team: NJIT
Club Team: PDA
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Started in 11 games at NJIT… At CBA, started 50 games and appeared in 65 with 13 goals and 20 assists... A Third-Team All-State, First-Team All-Non Public A and First Team All-Shore in 2015… Guided the Christian Brothers Academy to the Non-Public A State Champions as a senior
 
Robin Oswald
Bavaria, Germany
6'2, 187 lbs
Defense
High School: Maristen-Gymnasium Furth
Club Team: SpVgg Landshut
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Club was named regional Team of the Year in 2016… Was the 2014 Youth Player of the Year in regional district Landshut in Germany
 
Sebastian Rodriguez
Cartago, Costa Rica
6'1, 180 lbs
Forward
High School: Mont Berkeley
Previous School: Virginia Tech
Club Team: Club Sport Cartagines
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Won the goal scorer trophy of U20 Costa Rican league… Two-time Costa Rican U20 League Champion… Played in seven games at Virginia Tech as a freshman, scoring a goal against Longwood
 
Alex Sencion
Passaic, NJ
5'6, 125 lbs
Forward
High School: Passaic
Club Team: TSF
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: In two years of high school, scored 34 goals with 33 assists… First Team All-Conference, First Team All-County, First Team All-State after both junior and senior seasons… Won a state championship with TSF club team
 
Griffin Tomas
Seymour, CT
5'9, 160 lbs
Midfield
High School: Seymour
Club Team: Academica FC
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Four-year varsity starter… Scored 45 career goals with 53 career assists… Two-time First Team All-Conference… All State Senior Year… Senior Captain… Connecticut Senior Bowl Selection… High School's Most Valuable Player… 2x Offensive Player of the Year… Led team to two division championships
 
Ben Zakowski
Glen Rock, NJ
5'8, 140 lbs
Forward
High School: Glen Rock
Club Team: TSF
 
BEFORE MONMOUTH: Scored 51 career goals at Glen Rock with 20 assists… Led the team in goals during sophomore, junior, and senior seasons… Two-time First Team All-League honors… Second Team All-League honors as a sophomore… First Team All-State and First Team All-Bergen County as a senior… Selected to Northeast Regional All-American Team… Named Bergen County Tournament MVP… As a senior captain, led Glen Rock to a 23-1-1 overall record and won state sectional final