October 1, 2007 - Tramontana/Cotes Honored by the MAAC
October 1, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s College Soccer
Rider’s Tramontana MAAC Co-Player of Week
Cotes Rookie of the Week
LAWRENCEVILLE-- Nico Tramontana, a sophomore on the Rider University soccer team, was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Week for all games played the last week of September with freshman Andrew Cotes receiving MAAC Rookie of the Week honors. “We are ecstatic that we are getting guys recognized on the conference level,” said head coach Russ Fager. “It’s a tribute to their work ethic on the field and a tribute to their teammates working hard as well.”
Tramontana (Vineland/Sacred Heart) a 6’0”, 175 pound midfielder, scored three goals last week to lead Rider to a pair of victories.
“It was a surprise to receive the award,” Tramontana said. “I’m pretty happy to be recognized. It was a good week for us and we are playing well heading into conference play. We’ve done a better job of building on a lead when we get it and maintaining a game especially in the second half. We’ve done a better job finishing.”
Cotes (Selden, N.Y./Newfield) a 5’9” midfielder/forward had a goal and an assist in Rider’s 2-0 week.
Tramontana scored two goals to lead Rider to a 4-1 victory over La Salle Saturday, leading Rider to its fifth win in the last six games. Tramontana received a corner kick and scored just 3:27 into the game for a 1-0 lead, and scored again with 16 minutes left in the second half to build a 4-0 lead.
In a 3-1 win at NJIT on Tuesday, Tramontana took a pass at the top of the box and shot the ball into the upper left corner of the net to give Rider a 1-0 lead just 6:14 into the game.
“We originally had Nico as an outside back last season,” Fager said. “We saw him as being a little more talented and creative so we moved him into the midfield. In the spring, he blossomed as an attacking player and we put him up front some more and since he has been up there, he has been growing into the position and he has been doing quality things for us and putting the other guys in quality positions. He sees the game very quickly and can deliver the ball into places where others might not be able to.”
Cotes scored his first collegiate goal with seven minutes left in the NJIT game to secure the Broncs’ 3-1 victory and also assisted on the goal that gave Rider a 3-0 lead in the 4-1 win over La Salle.
“I’m really happy about the award,” Cotes said. “The week went well. The La Salle win was big for us.”
“Cotes has been a tremendous find,” Fager said. “I liked his spunk and the way he works on the field. I thought it would take him a little longer to get into the mix because I had only seen him one or two times coming out of high school. What he has done over the last three games has been great. He has given us the dimension of having just some flat out speed. He is just a young athlete who is doing what he can to do everything right. He is lifting everybody to be just a little bit better and play a little bit harder.”
Tramontana now leads Rider with four goals.
“I knew that I would have to put a lot of work in to attain this goal and I’m glad I did,” Tramontana added. “It’s exciting and the recognition gets people to look at Rider University overall and the soccer team and see that we have a solid program here.”
Cotes is third on the team among rookies in scoring and is the third Bronc in 2007 to receive Rookie of the Week honors. Freshman Jim Bradley (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township) was honored for the period September 10-16 and Tom Antonucci (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) was honored for the period September 17-23.
“The recognition around the conference is good for our program,” Cotes added. “Nico had a great week and did really well for us. Even though everyone is faster and stronger on the collegiate level, I’ve been working hard to make the adjustment to the college game as have all of the freshmen and being the third recognized by the league shows that we are putting the work in that we need to in order for the team to succeed.”
“This early in the season, to have four players recognized by the conference is pretty good,” Fager added. “I think that internally, it has pushed everyone a little because they see others getting recognized and they also have the goal for conference recognition. It’s been great for everyone’s attitude and work ethic and it has also brought the team together a little more as well.”
Rider has completed its non-conference portion of the schedule with a 5-4 record, and travels to Marist for the first MAAC game of the season Friday. “The five wins out of six games have been great,” Fager added. “We’ve been in every game and assistant coach Jilian Richens pointed out to them that if they keep up the work ethic, good things will happen. It’s been an enjoyable run and we hope to keep it going coming into the conference schedule.”
-RU-
