24 Individual Awards, A Conference Title and More: Recaping the Fall 2024 Season For FC Monmouth Players
Written By Chris Dailey
This past fall, dozens of FC Monmouth players graced pitches all around the country representing their respective colleges in NCAA action. A few other players, meanwhile, wreaked havoc on the Shore Conference, marking their legacies in the high school scene. The fall 2024 season saw FC Monmouth players earn 24 total individual awards, from all conference, all rookie, All American awards, to academic scholar accolades. Lets take a look at some of FC Monmouth’s most notable performers from this past fall.
Mike Willis - UMass Amherst
Mike Willis, a key contributor to FC Monmouth’s 2024 campaign, logged 1627 minutes for UMass Amherst throughout the Minutemen’s historic season. Willis’ one goal and three assists helped propel the Minutemen to the NCAA Elite 8 in a run that included wins over #6 University of Pennsylvania and #11 University of Virginia.
“It was a good year for me,” stated Wilis, “I came into the year with a hamstring injury so was easing back into things during preseason and used as a sub in our first regular season game and then found my way into the lineup for the rest of the year after that.”
Willis spent most of the year at fullback, a shift from his traditional role as a left midfielder.
“I was happy to make the move back to help the team. Our back line did a great job keeping shutouts in our three wins in the NCAA tournament, so I was glad I could be a part of that.”
Willis is currently in his fifth year at UMass as he completes his graduate degree.
Reece Paget - Lacey High School
Reece Paget, part of FC Monmouth’s inaugural women’s team, scored 18 goals and tallied 14 assists for Lacey High School.
Paget was the difference-maker for Lacey as the squad advanced to the Shore Conference semi-finals and the South Jersey Group 3 quarterfinals.
Paget, who has suffered several injuries during her first three years of high school, was ecstatic to finally have a healthy year to show off what she can provide on the pitch.
“I’ve been unlucky for the past three seasons with a lot of ankle injuries, the biggest one being in my junior seasons where I dislocated my ankle in the first couple games of the season, so it was really hard for me to have a full high school season and I was really excited this year because it ws my senior year and I was excited to play with all my friends. For me, I always play the best when I’m relaxed and not thinking and everything just started to click, especially during the summer when I had a good summer season I was playing some fot he best soccer I’ve evre had,” stated Paget.
With her stellar performances, Paget earned herself a spot as a member of the first-team All Shore Conference and All state team.
Committed to Seton Hall, Paget will continue her development with both PDA North and FC Monmouth prior to her freshman season.
“I’m really excited to be part of the WPSL women’s squad because I’m excited to play at a high level of competition and excited to play with all my friends again.”
Grace Crowley - Toms River East
Another First Team All Shore Recipient, Grace Crowley held down the back line for Toms River East.
“It’s an honor to be named first team all shore and I am so happy for it to be in my last season” Crowley stated.
Grace had many moments throughout the fall, including a stellar free kick that was featured on Jersey Sports Zone. Of her own favorites Crowley says
“It had to be the first round of states and winning on PKs against Mainland. We were the lower seed and winning gave us a lot of confidence that we needed.
Heading into the summer now Crowley is looking to carry that momentum into FC Monmouth’s inaugural WPSL season. Crowley, the youngest FC Monmouth player last year, is looking forward to be able to compete with her older peers again this summer.
“I am so excited to be a member of FC Monmouth’s team again this summer and I’m excited to be challenged. I can’t wait to play with my teammates again that graduated last year!”
Andrew Araya - NJIT
Andrew Araya carried his impressive summer form into the fall season with NJIT, earning a place on the America East All-Rookie team.
Araya a tempo-setter for the Highlanders from the defensive midfield position.
“The season went well for me. I knew it was going to be a challenge to step in as a freshman and play at the highest college level there is in the country. It was a great feeling to get my first collegiate goals and assist and also get weekly conference awards. This season definitely boosted my confidence up and helped me gain that experience I needed playing at the division 1 level,” said Araya.
Araya later stated, “Working hard is something I truly believe in. From years of studying film, working on my weaknesses, being consistent with the things I feed my body, going to the gym, and so much more all lead to the successes I have in my career. I set a couple of goals I wanted to achieve and I knew this would require a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Therefore, after the season seeing hwo I achieved a lot of my goals is showing how this work is paying off. This not only gives me confidence but it also gives me that drive to keep pushing for more.”
Araya, an Ocean Township native whose youth career saw him play for both PDA and Orlando City as well as train in Germany with Hertha Berlin, will look to continue his drive for success this summer.
Sunni DiElmo - La Salle University
Sunni DiElmo finished off her 2024 collegiate campaign with an impressive 14 starts, 4 goals, and 1 assist. The Tuckerton native proved to be a key player for the La Salle squad both on and off the pitch.
“Throughout the season, I achieved a lot on and off the field. On the field, I found myself scoring key goals, adding assists, making big plays, and putting in significant minutes on the field to help my team. While being a senior on the team I also had a big role of learning leadership and being a better role model. I really enjoyed this season because I was able to contribute a lot to my team and be there for my teammates,” said DiElmo.
DiElmo continued, “My favorite moment from the season was when I headed the ball into the net after a free-kick. This ended up being the game-winning goal as we won 2-1. It was a funny core memory because I don’t head the ball usually so my teammates, coaches, and myself all enjoyed the header goal and talked about it a lot.”
DiElmo will seek to carry her fine form from the collegiate season into the summer as she will return to Count Basie to be a member of FC Monmouth’s WPSL squad.
“I am very excited to play in the WPSL because me being a senior, I do not want to hang up the boots just yet. I can’t wait to get back on the field with my teammates and score more goals,” stated DiElmo.
On the team level Rowan men’s soccer returned to glory claiming the NJAC conference title once again. A feat that was captured from them in the previous season by Montclair State and FC Monmouth players Osbin Mendez and Andre Shelton. This year, the Profs took the conference by storm, coming off a brutal non conference schedule that was ranked #1 in difficulty across the nation. FC Monmouth players Jake Homowitz, Davide Caputo, Mason Martelloni, and All American Johnny Troiano led the way. Troiano, FC Monmouth’s 2nd all time leading goal scorer is now Rowan’s 9th all time leading goal scorer after this season.
Our 2024 women’s captain Cammie Kennet and Rutgers made an unprecedented run to the Big 10 championship. The Scarlett Knights Ultimately fell short in the final but received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament in the process.
Kennet’s partner in the sticks this past summer, Saige Santa Cruz led all FC Monmouth keepers in total saves this past season. Santa Cruz, the daughter of FC Monmouth women’s head coach Lou Santa Cruz, stopped 76 shots in her freshman season at DeSales University.
Overall, FC Monmouth players were spectacular across the board. These players highlight just a small percentage of the Blue and Gold who found success this past fall. FC Monmouth is excited to welcome them all back to Count Basie as the Men’s team competes in the first-ever season of the League for Clubs and the Women’s side officially enters league play in the WPSL.
To keep up with all FC Monmouth players make sure to be following the club @WeAreMonmouth