These South Jersey Soccer Players Will Play For The Nor'easters

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The following South Jersey soccer players will suit up for the Ocean City Nor’easters this season, according to news releases announcing the team's lineup:

GOALIE
James Brett (Palmyra, NJ / Rutgers - Camden): Brett brings a wealth of experience after three years at Rutgers University at Camden where he plays under Ocean City Nor'easters Sporting Director Tim Oswald. Brett has been the starter for the Raptors program since arriving on campus in 2015. Among his accomplishments, both on and off the field, he was named the 2016 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Goalkeeper of the Year and is likely to finish his college career with numerous school records.

"James has done exceptionally well in the NJAC and has proven to be one of the very best in the country at the NCAA Division III level," said Thompson. "His size, lateral quickness, and athleticism adds value to the Ocean City roster. We are looking forward to seeing him compete this summer with the tremendous core of goalkeepers we have brought in."

DEFENDERS

Matt Fahey (Williamstown, NJ/Rowan University): Fahey has one year of college soccer under his belt as he arrived on the Rowan University campus with an impressive high school resume. Fahey, a native of Williamstown, NJ, was an All-State selection and won multiple state player of the year awards as a senior at Williamstown High School. He won the starting job in his freshman year at Rowan University and, along with fellow Nor'easter Modou Sowe, was part of a defensive unit that was second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference in goals against average (0.92) and shutouts (10).

"Matt is an imposing center back standing at 6'4 who can ping the ball with great accuracy," said Thompson. "He has bundles of potential and the more he plays men's football, the quicker that potential will grow."

Modou Sowe (Gambia, Harrison, NJ/Rowan University): Originally from Gambia, Sowe came to the states as a 14-year-old and was dominant for Harrison High School. He played four years for them and was a First Team All-State selection as a senior and was named the Star-Ledger Player of the Year and was named an All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He signed with Rowan University where he played in all 22 games for the Profs (starting 20) and scored two goals and has one assist and was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Defender of the Year as a freshman.

"Modou is a very technical center back who can also play as a defensive center midfielder," said Thompson. "From what I saw of him play last season, he has it all. Great on the floor and in the air with great athleticism and reads the game very well."

Read more about the team's goalies and defenders here.

MIDFIELDERS

Ismail Kaya (Williamstown, NJ): Ismail Kaya returns for his second season with the Nor'easters. Last year, he enjoyed limited playing time in what was a talented and crowded midfield. He was a high school teammate of Matt Fahey at Williamstown High School where he dished out 12 assists during his senior season.

"Ismail had a great couple of games for us toward the end of last season. He is dynamic on the ball and has the ability to create time and space to deliver crosses," said Thompson. "He played for me since he was a 14-year-old in club soccer and, in my opinion, was the most creative players to come out of South Jersey in the past 10 years. He just never knew when and where to use that skill. Now that he has matured, he has simplified his game and uses his creativity at the right times. His soccer IQ has finally caught up with his natural ability and he will push for a starting job at left wing or left wing back this year.

Read more about the team's midfielders and forwards here.

The Nor’easters hit the road this week to compete in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. Read more here: Nor’easters Travel To Michigan For Start Of U.S. Open Cup.

The team opens the regular season this weekend.

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