Galloway, N.J. – Five Stockton University men's soccer players received NJAC all-conference honors for 2019, with four of them earning postseason accolades for the first time in their careers. Senior
Larry Abanilla (Union/Union Catholic), the lone repeat selection, was voted to the NJAC First Team. Abanilla was an NJAC Honorable Mention choice a year ago.
Senior
John Maxted (Middletown/Middletown North) and sophomore
James McCombs (Brick/Brick Memorial) were selected to the NJAC Second Team. Juniors
Ervin Gjeli (Hasbrouck Hts./Hasbrouck Hts.) and
Dino Gromitsaris (Bordentown/Bordentown) rounded out the group with NJAC Honorable Mention recognition.
Abanilla has scored two goals and dished three assists for seven points on the season, with all three of his helpers coming in NJAC play. A solid two-way player on the flank, Abanilla also has contributed defensively for a Stockton team that has nine shutouts and a 0.70 goals against average.
Maxted has tallied six goals on the season, which is tied with Gjeli for the team lead. He also has one assist for 13 points. Maxted tops the Ospreys with three game-winning goals, which is tied for fourth in the conference. He was named NJAC Offensive Player of the Week on September 16.
McCombs has solidified the defense with his stellar play. A transfer from St. Joseph's University (Pa.), the sophomore has helped Stockton post nine shutouts, which is tied for the NJAC lead, plus a league-best 0.70 goals against average. McCombs scored his first career goal on October 9 against St. Joseph's-LI.
Gjeli leads the team with six goals and four assists for 16 points. He is tied for seventh in the NJAC in assists and tied for 10th in points. Gjeli has two game-winning goals, second on the team behind Maxted in that category. His game-winners were the lone goal in a 1-0 upset of #17 Franklin & Marshall and a tally that snapped a 2-2 tie in the 69th minute of a 3-2 win over Kean.
Gromitsaris has had a breakout season in net. He has started 18 games and recorded 45 saves, six shutouts and a superb 0.75 goals against average. The keeper leads the NJAC in goals against average and is tied for the conference lead in shutouts. Gromitsaris has been selected NJAC Defensive Player of the Week twice this year.
