Freshman midfielder EDISON BILBAO (Newark, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep) has been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Rookie of the Week, after collecting six points with two goals and two assists in NJCU’s 6-0 rout of Farmingdale State University on October 10, and became the second different Gothic Knight to earn NJAC Rookie honors this season. For the first time in his career, Bilbao has also been named the NJCU Men's Student-Athlete of the Week. He is the fifth different member of the men's soccer team to score the accolade this season.
Bilbao's NJAC award, which marked the second consecutive week an NJCU player has earned the conference's Rookie of the Week, is for week seven of the 2005 season. Juan Espinoza (New Brunswick, NJ/Buen Pastor (Lima, Peru)) previously received the honor for week two on September 12 and week six on October 10.
In the victory over Farmingdale, Bilbao’s perfect corner kick set up the eventual game-winning goal at 8:17. He gave the Knights a 2-0 lead at 27:18 with his third goal of the season. After an NJCU shot missed wide right, but did not cross the endline, Bilbao buried a one-timer.
Bilbao made it 4-0 at 33:05 as he finished the first two-goal game of his young career. He gained control of a ball at the top of the box and launched a laser one-timer that bent in midair, over the FSU keeper, and inside the crossbar. The goal was unassisted and NJCU led 4-0 at the half. He later assisted on a second half goal.
Although he didn’t score, Bilbao also played a prominent role in NJCU’s 2-1 victory over #14 ranked The College of New Jersey on October 15, marking only the second time in school history the Knights defeated the Lions in Ewing. He started and played 65 minutes in that contest. His twin brother Jonathan scored the game-winner in that victory.
Bilbao also logged 32 minutes in a starting role at center midfield in NJCU’s 4-0 win against St. Joseph’s College (LI) on October 16.
Through games of October 16, he ranked fourth on the club in scoring with four goals and five assists for 13 points, and was tied for sixth in the NJAC in assists and tied for 10
