New Jersey City University Athletics

JERSEY CITY, NJ… CHRIS ROSENTHAL (Kearny, NJ/Kearny), the greatest scoring striker in New Jersey City University men’s soccer history, had many goals when the 2005 season started. Among his two most notable, he wanted to lead NJCU to the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever, and he hoped to be named to the All-America team. Mission accomplished for the senior forward who owns every major offensive record at the University.

 

Rosenthal, who previously was named to the 2005 NCAA Division III Metro Region First-Team—the second consecutive year he has earned All-Region distinction—has been selected to the 2005 NSCAA/adidas Men’s NCAA Division III All-America Second Team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America Committee.

 

“I am very proud of CHRIS ROSENTHAL,” said eighth-year head coach KEVIN EAST. “I know being named to the NSCAA All-America Team was a goal of his and I don't know of anyone who deserves it more than he. Chris has been a special player for us for the past three years and got better each year.”

 

“Every team we would play against would focus on trying to shut Chris down but nobody could. He almost scored at will and could take a game over at any moment. We could count on at least a goal per game with Chris in our line-up; we were a little spoiled in that sense. After games most coaches would ask me, "Where did you find that kid?" or "How many years does he have left?", because no one wanted to have to face him again. I think those were the highest compliments a player can receive.”

 

Perhaps the greatest men’s soccer player in the 47-year history of the program, Rosenthal, widely considered as one of the most dangerous offensive players in the nation, was selected as the 2005 New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year after scoring 17 goals with 14 assists for 48 points in only 19 games. He scored one game-winner, added one game-tying goal, and four times scored the first netter of a contest for the Knights. Overall, 39 of his 91 shots were on goal. His 14 assists were a single-season school record.

 

He led NJCU to a record-breaking season in which the Gothic Knights (17-7-1) were selected to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in school history, registered a 6-2-1 record against nationally ranked opponents, and finished the season with a No. 11 national ranking, the best ever for the program. He helped the club establish a single-season record for goals (91), as NJCU ranked sixth in the nation in goals per game (3.64).

 

Rosenthal led the NJAC in virtually every offensive category, ranking first in points, points per game (2.53), goals per game (0.89), assists, assists per game (0.74), shots, and shots per game (4.63). Of the eight major offensive categories, the only one he did not lead the NJAC in was goals; he was second to teammate Juan Espinoza.

 

The two-time NJAC Player of the Week finished the season ranking fourth in the nation in points per game, sixth in assists per game, and 18^th in points per game, despite missing six of NJCU’s 25 contests, including five with injuries. He also ranked tied for third among all players in scoring during the 2005 NCAA Tournament with four goals (eight points) in three games, as NJCU reached the sectional semifinals.

 

Last year, Rosenthal scored 25 goals (nine assists) for 59 points, setting single-season school records for goals and points, and ranked fourth in the nation in both categories. He was Second-Team All-Region in 2004.

 

In only three seasons as NJCU, he owns every major offensive record. Rosenthal has 51 goals and 26 assists for 128 points in just 57 games, and is the all-time leader in points, points per game (2.25), goals, goals per game (0.89), assists per game (0.46), shots (280) and shots on goal (137). He is second all-time in assists and game-winning goals (8).

 

“He was the best player I have seen in our conference in over 15 years,” East noted. “Chris played at a different level and I hope he gets an opportunity to play somewhere professionally, because I think he will do very well."