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The Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey maintains a membership group representative of all sections of the state of New Jersey. This organization assumes the responsibility of developing conducting, and promoting the game of soccer. It strives to foster and encourage the playing of soccer at the highest tradition of interscholastic competition and to correlate the game of soccer with the general objective of education.
We as an organization represent 325 plus public, private, and parochial high schools in the state of New Jersey and have been active for over 50 years. SCANJ is the voice of the boy’s high school in the state and we reach out at both the local and national levels.
Activities sponsored by SCANJ are:
PARTICIPANTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BANQUETS
COACHES
The Executive committee is composed of the officers and five area representatives. Anyone interested in serving on the Executive Committee please contact [email protected].
Evan Brosniak is committed to the overall betterment of soccer in American. He has served as the president of The Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey since 2010. Evan has had many accolades in his career. He is currently a Physical Educator at Southern Regional High School. Evan Brosniak is currently on the Stockton University staff as an Assistant Coach after spending time coaching at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
Brosniak is a former Associate head coach at Atlantic City FC, a former Academy Coach with the New York Red Bulls and was the head coach of Southern Regional High School from 2009-15. Coach Brosniak was named Ocean County Coach of the Year in 2009, rebuilding the program at Southern Regional. He received Coach of the Year honors in 2009 with an increase of 13 wins in the first season alone.
Brosniak was the head coach of Raritan Valley Community College and rebuilt the program in 2007 and 2008 before taking the helm at Southern. He started his coaching career at Bound Brook High School, serving as head coach for four seasons and assistant for two years. In 2004, Bound Brook won the Central Jersey Group 1 title, the first in school history which was also named 2004 Coach of the Year.
Evan Brosniak currently has multiple coaching professional licenses. He has the United Soccer Coaches (Formerly NSCAA) Premier License, NSCAA Goalkeeping Diploma, Multiple United Soccer Coaches Diplomas, USSF “E’ license, English FA License, English FA Talent Identifier, holds multiple NFHS Diplomas, & is an American Red Cross CPR, AED, and First Aid Instructor.
Brosniak played soccer on the collegiate level at Division III Curry College before finishing his playing career at Syracuse University. He led North Brunswick Township High School to a state championship in 1993, and was named to their Hall of Fame in 2003.
After playing soccer for four years at Kearny High School, Michael Rusek received an athletic scholarship in 1991 to Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He finished his bachelor’s degree at Montclair State University and spent four years in the late 1990’s coaching the Kearny High School boys’ freshmen soccer team. In the year 2000, he began his career as a head coach at Harrison High School. Coach Mike Rusek now currently 435 victories, seven State Championships, twelve Sectional Championships, two Hudson County Championships, and eighteen league titles. Harrison High School now holds the national record for most high school state championships overall with 25 total. Since 2000, Harrison HS also has the most state championships in New Jersey with seven total in ten trips to the state finals this century. In 2014, Coach Rusek won his 300 overall victory with a 4-0 state championship victory. Numerous soccer players at Harrison High School have gone on to play college soccer, all across the state, and even the country. During this time of coaching, Michael has also received a Graduate Degree in Administration/Supervision from St. Peter’s University, and this past June, he finished his twenty fifth year of teaching history at Harrison High School. Michael Rusek has been married for over 12 years to Lisa. They have three beautiful children, a nine year old son, named Christian, a six year year old daughter, named Hailey, and a six month old daughter, named Madelyn. Below are some accolades Coach Rusek has achieved at Harrison High School:
* Overall Coaching Record (435-63-22)
* (2002) Top season (24-0-1/Ranked the Number One Team in New Jersey)
* Coached 2 NJ – Players of the Year (2004-Cristhian Acuna & 2013-Modou Sowe)
* Coached 1 All-American Player, 7 Regional All-American Players, 10 First Team All- State Players.
* (2014) Most goals scored in one season – 151
* (2008) Fewest goals allowed in one season – 6
* (2002 and 2014) Most wins in one season – 24
* (2013 and 2014) Most shutouts in one season – 19
* State Championships – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014
* Sectional Championships – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2022
* Hudson County Championships – 2009 and 2013 (Hudson County did not allow Harrison & Kearny into their county tournaments until 2009)
Chris have been the varsity soccer coach at South Brunswick High School since the fall of 2003. Over that time period, South Brunswick has won 6 Division titles, 2 GMC county titles, reached the state tournament 19 times and reached the sectional finals in 2013. He currently has over 200 career wins during his 20 years in charge. As a player, Chris played for George Nazario at TCNJ from 1997 – 1999. In addition, he has been a math teacher at South Brunswick high since 2000. He currently resides in East Windsor with his wife Elizabeth and daughters Madeline and Josephine.
Damon Petras has been coaching at Rancocas Valley High school since 2000. He became the head varsity coach in 2004. With a dedication to the game, we all love, Coach Petras has also been involved with high school and the club level in multiple areas in the state of New Jersey. Damon Petras is the former Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey President and currently involved at the executive level. Coach Petras is the current Director of Coaching and head trainer at Rancocas Valley Soccer Club.
During Coach Petras’ tenure his teams have had much success on the field. In 2004, RVRHS won the Central Jersey Group IV Championship as well as the New Jersey Group IV State Championship. In 2008, RVRHS were the 2008 South Jersey Group IV Champions and became the 2008 New Jersey Group IV State Champions (RVRHS). The squad was ranked 20th in the nation by United Soccer Coaches/NSCAA. His teams were South Jersey Coaches Tournament Champions in 2009. During his tenure his teams were the following: South Jersey Coaches Tournament Runner-Up 2007-2008, 2010, & 2017, South Jersey Coaches Tournament Semi-Finalist from 2004-2006, and 2016-2017, and finally, his teams were the Burlington County Liberty Division Champions 2004-2009, 2014-2015 respectively.
Damon has been named 2018 Burlington County Times Coach of the Year and 2004 Burlington County Times Coach of the Year. Coach Petras was named to coach the following games 2007 Red Bull NY North-South All-Star Game, 2007 All-State All-Star Game, 2006 Burlington County All-Star Game, 2006 All-South Jersey All-Star Game, 2006 All-State All-Star Game, 2005 Burlington County All-Star Game, 2005 All-South Jersey All-Star Game, 2005 All-State All-Star Game, 2004 Burlington County All-Star Game, 2004 All-South Jersey All-Star Game, and 2004 All-State All-Star Game.
Coach Petras also has multiple diplomas and certifications. He currently holds a USC (Formerly NSCAA) Advanced National Diploma, USC Director of Coaching, USC 4v4, 7v7, and 9 v 9 Diplomas, USC Futsal Diploma, USSF National Youth and D License, US Goalkeeping License, Tovo 7 -a-Side, and BRUSA C License (Brazilian C License). Damon also holds other diplomas/certificates from the United Soccer Coaches such as Club Development, Mental/Physical Diploma, and Attacking Principles. He also holds s a KNVB Dutch Youth Certification, LaLiga Training Methodology: Daily Application and Coaching Intervention, LaLiga Training Methodology: Building and Implementing a Game Model in Youth Soccer Development, LaLiga Training Methodology: Analyzing a Player Profile in Training & Competition, & LaLiga Training Methodology: Sports Psychology & Team Management in Women’s Soccer.
Additionally, Coach Damon Petras was also honored as Philadelphia Union Playmaker of the Game by the Philadelphia Union! Damon Petras was nominated by Miller Subaru and approved by the Philadelphia Union and Subaru Park as a community playmaker who makes our area better by his dedication through his great efforts at the RVSC, coaching at RVHS, teaching at RVHS and his various other community outreach programs.
Coach Damon Petras has developed many high-level players that include 3 players drafted in the MLS, 3 High School All-Americans, 9 High School Regional All-Americans, over 28 Top 50 Players in the State, over 80 All-State Players, and over 12 South Jersey Players of the Year. In addition, our players have gone on to play at many colleges and universities, such as Notre Dame, Duke, West Virginia, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Marshall, Wilmington University, LaSalle, VCU, Lafayette, Rider, Rowan, Rutgers-Camden, Montclair, Fairley Dickson, Chestnut Hill, Wesley, Rutgers-Newark, Stockton, Arcadia, Iona, Chicago University, York, Immaculata, and many, many more. Coach Petras currently resides in Lumberton, NJ with his wife Nicole and they have three beautiful children (Cameron, Damon, and Gavin).
A 2013 graduate of Kean University, Coach Torre is currently the Head Coach at his alma mater Lacey Township High School. While at Lacey, Coach Torre has been named SCANJ sectional coach of the year, NJ.com’s Shore Conference coach of the year, and ocean county coach of the year. Coach Torre is currently a staff member for Cedar Stars Ocean while previously serving roles as Director of Operations for NJ Wildcats South and Girls Academy Director at USCFA. He is the co founder/owner of Lions Soccer Camps and serves on the board of the Shore Conference Soccer Coach’s Association.
Bryan Fisher has been an educator and coach in New Jersey for over 20 years. A 1996 graduate from West Windsor Plainsboro High School, he was an All State soccer player in 1994 and 1995. Bryan is a 2000 graduate from Gettysburg College with a degree in Political Science. Coach Fish is currently a history teacher at West Windsor Plainsboro HS South. From 2010-2020 Bryan was the WWPHS South Boys Head Soccer coach. While at the helm he guided the Pirates to 93 wins, 2 division titles and 3 trips to the Mercer County Final. Since taking over the Notre Dame HS boys program, he has had immediate success and was named the CVC, Non Public and SCANJ Boys Soccer Coach of the Year in 2021. His teams have won 2 division titles and have made trips to the Mercer County Tournament and South Jersey Non Public A championship game. In the spring, Bryan is the Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach at Notre Dame High School where his Irish are 2 time Mercer County Tournament Champs and 2 time Central Jersey Group III Champions. He and his wife Cassandra have 2 daughters Mckenna and Reese. He is also a faithful and loyal NY Jets fan.
Jeff Soares is an accomplished figure in the world of soccer and education. With a background as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Ocean Township High School since 2011, Jeff has been dedicated to shaping young minds both in the classroom and on the field. Holding a Masters in Administration, he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his roles.
Jeff’s coaching journey began as a coach, then camp director, with Coerver United. It lead him to be a varsity assistant soccer coach at Ocean Township High School, a position he held from 2012 to 2018. During this time, he contributed significantly to the team’s success and growth, helping to cultivate talent and foster a winning culture.
In 2019, Jeff Soares assumed the role of head varsity coach at Rumson Fair Haven High School, marking a new chapter in his coaching career. With his expertise and passion, he continues to inspire and guide his players towards excellence both in soccer and in life.
His remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed, as Jeff was rightfully honored as the 2021 Shore Sports Network Coach of the Year. This honor reflects his dedication, strategic acumen, and positive impact within the soccer community.
Coach Jeff Eppright, “Jiffles,” is entertaining his 36th season as the head coach at Haddon Heights High School. Since he has become the coach of the program he has 8 conference titles, 2 Sectional Titles in 2010 & 2012. He also won the Group I New Jersey State Championship in 2012. He currently has over 400 wins.
Coach Cesar Blacido is a passionate soccer coach that emphasizes the development of people through the means of soccer. Cesar has been coaching youth soccer for 10 years and high school soccer for 7 years. He served 3 years as a JV coach and is currently the varsity soccer coach at Ramsey high school. In addition, he is a PE teacher in the Ramsey School District.
As a varsity coach, Cesar has led his high school team to 3 State Sectional Championship, 2 State Championship appearances and 1 Bergen County tournament championship appearance. In 2020 he was named Bergen County Coach of the Year and in 2021 he was named North 1 State Coach of the Year.
Cesar played soccer at Ramsey high school and club soccer for the New York Red Bulls. He led Ramsey high school to their only state championship in 2007. His senior year while playing at NYRB he was voted a U.S. U-18 Academy top 11 player in the nation. After high school he attended Monmouth University where he played Division 1. During his time at Monmouth, Cesar was a starter all 4 years and the program had a record of 48-15-12. Monmouth was ranked as high as #5 in the country his junior year.
Coach Blacido was just recently married to his beautiful wife Kim and resides in Franklin Lakes.
Coach Mike Mugavaro is presently the current Varsity Boys Soccer Coach with over 20 years of experience at Morris Knolls. In 2016 & 2018, Coach Mugavaro earned “Coach of the Year,” from Morris County NJAC Conference as well as NJ High School State. Morris Knolls were also NJAC Champions in 2017. The following year Morris Knolls won the NJSIAA North I, Group 4 State Championship.
As a player was an All-State player at the school he currently coaches at, Morris Knolls. After graduating he continued playing at Division I at the University of Massachusetts. After completion of college he later on to become the Head Coach at Stetson University. He currently holds a USSF “C” license as well as the NSCAA /United Soccer Coaches National Diploma. Coach Mugavaro has coach multiple players who have gone onto the next level and a United Soccer Coaches High School All-American and New Jersey Player of the Year in 2017 & 2018.
Coach Evan Weller is the current Phillipsburg High School Varsity Boys Soccer Coach and has been since 2003. Coach Weller is the winningest Phillipsburg soccer coach in School History in both wins & highest winning percentage.
Since taking over at Phillipsburg he has done the following; led team to four consecutive State Tournament Appearances, First ever NJSIAA regional semifinalists, First ever H/W/S finalists, First ever division championship (’13), First ever NJSIAA tournament win, First ever to defeat NJ Ranked opponents (#5, #12, #15), Fewest goals allowed in school history ’10, Most wins and most goals scored in school history ’13, and Most collegiate players developed.
Coach Weller has been named Express Times Coach of the Year and the Star Ledger West Jersey Coach of the Year in 2013.
Steven MacKenzie is entering his 25 th year as the Head Mens Soccer Coach at Monroe Township High School. During his tenure he has amassed 351 wins, 4 twenty-win seasons enroute to 7 conference championships, 2sectional championships, an appearance in the Group IV State Final in 2012, as well as participating in multiple other conference and sectional finals. Coach MacKenzie led the first undefeated team in school history in 2020,
finishing the season 14-0-1 and a 3-2 OT win over Elizabeth in the sectional final.
Coach Steve MacKenzie is a 5-time conference coach of the year, 4-time Central Jersey Sectional Coach of the Year, 2014 NJ State Coach of the Year as well as National Coach of the Year nominee. Coach MacKenzie has extensive camp and club experience at all levels of youth soccer. He has guided many teams to the top of the state rankings and most recently led the Jersey Knights U-20M team to the Super-20’s national championships in 2015. As a graduate of the University of New Haven, Coach MacKenzie was a four-year scholarship athlete, whom scored a goal in his first college game. Prior to his time in college, Coach MacKenzie lettered in Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball at Metuchen High School, earning All-State honors in soccer. He has received an Advanced National License from the USC (NSCAA) and is also licensed by the USSF.
Coach Chase Barberi took over the program in 2012. Coach Barberi has rebuilt the Vorhees program in the Skyland Conference.
Barberi is a former Division one player from Monmouth University. He was a college standout who was on the Herman Award watch list in both his junior and senior year. He also played for PDA which is one of the most deep rooted clubs in the state of New Jersey. Barberi is also a former standout at Hillsborough High School.
The 2023 season marks Eric Puma’s 28th year at HHS where he began his coaching and teaching career in 1996. After six seasons of serving as varsity assistant, in 2002 Coach Puma became the third head coach of the Raider Boys Soccer program. Since that time, the Raiders have been Skyland Conference Champions in 2002, 2003, 2008, 2018, and 2019 as well as Somerset County Champions in 2006, 2012 and 2018.
Coach Puma holds the USSF National “A” license, the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma, USC Director of Coaching Certification and USC Coach Developer Certification. Earning his Bachelor’s In English from Trenton State College in 1994 and his Masters of Arts in Teaching from the College Of New Jersey in 1996, Coach Puma teaches AP Language & Composition at Hillsborough High School. He and his wife, Alysia, who is also an English teacher at the high school, live in Flemington, New Jersey.
Eric Shaw is entering his 11th year at the helm of WHS Boys Soccer program with a record of 122W-43L-18T. Eric has guided the Blue Devils to 5 Union County Champions in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022 and the Section 2 Group 4 title in 2022. Eric is a graduate of Seton Hall University where he was a 4-year starter from 93-96. Eric continued his playing career with the NJ Imperials semi-pro team from 97-00. He started his coaching career at SHU as assistant/goalkeeper coach in 97. Eric then coached at his Alma Mater, Union High School with the boys program from 98-04, then moved to St. Benedicts prep from 04-05 Eric then moved back to UHS to be the head coach of the girls program from 06-12. Eric played his youth soccer for the Union Lancers who were state cups champs from 88-93. Eric is entering his 22nd year as an Elementary Health and Physical Education Teaching in Union and resides in Cranford with his wife Ana, son and 2 daughters.
$115
What you will receive:
This membership includes SCANJ Membership
Attend the SCANJ All-Star Game
Will allow student athletes post season In-state honors
Ability to attend Workshops
Ability to Engage in sessions
Access to New Jersey Coaches
Access to discounts on SCANJ official gear
This membership can be purchased online
(COMING SOON!)
Check
or
Can be purchased through a school PO.
All PO’s must be communicated via E-Mail at [email protected]
SCANJ FORMS
$125
BEST VALUE FOR COACHES & SCHOOLS
What you will receive:
SCANJ Membership
Membership for the The United Soccer Coaches
1 Million Dollar Insurance Policy
Workshops and Engage sessions
Access to allow student athletes for post season honors
Access to Coaches throughout New Jersey & Nationally
Access to discounts to United Soccer Conference
Too many benefits to name. Please click this link to find out more information about the benefits of this membership.
High School Coaches Association Member Benefits (unitedsoccercoaches.org)
High School | United Soccer Coaches
This membership can be purchased online
(COMING SOON!)
Check
or
Can be purchased through a school PO.
All PO’s must be communicated via E-Mail at [email protected]
$55
BANQUET TICKETS
SCANJ pricing is for SCANJ members
Coaches & players can only attend when their respective coach is a member through SCANJ
All pricing is until the due date
There will be a $20.00 upcharge for parents, coaches, schools, & administrators if past the due date to cover the cost through our distributor.
The SCANJ Banquet is a first come first serve.
Please commit as soon as possible to ensure your seat.
All seating is completed by our Banquet Chairman.
Any additional questions of the banquet can contact, Chris Hayston at [email protected].
This membership can be purchased online
(COMING SOON!)
Check
or
Can be purchased through a school PO.
All PO’s must be communicated via E-Mail at [email protected]
SCANJ SENIOR ALL-STAR SHOWCASE GAME
The All-Star Game will be held at Capelli Sports Complex on December 9th, 2023
Location: Capelli Sports Complex
Address: 1659 Wayside Rd, Tinton Falls, NJ
GAME TIMES 11:30AM AND 2:00PM
PLAYERS SELECTED FOR THIS GAME WILL RECEIVE A PHONE CALL OR EMAIL FROM THEIR SECTIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
All players must sign a waiver to participate in the Senior All-Star Showcase games.
Players should arrive at least 45 minutes before game time.
SCANJ WAIVER for SENIOR ALL-STAR SHOWCASE
T-shirts will be provided for all players by the Pines Manor of Edison, New Jersey but players must supply their own: cleats, shin guards, shorts, and socks.
2023 SENIOR ALL-STAR SHOWCASE GAMES
NORTH I (Black Shorts/White Socks) vs. NORTH II (Black Shorts/Black Socks) 11:30AM
SOUTH (Black Shorts/Black Socks) vs. CENTRAL (Black Shorts/White Socks) 2:00PM
North I vs. North II 11:30AM
South vs. Central 2:00PM
MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS OF THE 2023 SENIOR ALL-STAR SHOWCASE GAMES
CENTRAL: TBA
NORTH I: TBA
NORTH II: TBA
SOUTH: TBA
Congratulations to the Boys who had a fantastic display of their abilities during the Senior All-Star game. We wish all the seniors who participated in this amazing Showcase the best in their future endeavors on and off the field.
FUTURE SENIOR ALL-STAR SHOWCASE GAMES
In the upcoming years, the following All-Star match schedules are set:
2023 North I vs. South and North II vs. Central (times TBD),
2024 North I vs North II and Central vs. South (times TBD),
2025 North I vs. Central and North II vs. South (times TBD),
2026 North I vs. South and North II vs. Central (times TBD),
2027 North II vs. South and North I vs. Central (times TBD)
Congratulations to your following players who have been chosen to be honored at the 2023 All State Banquet. Your players will be honored at the 54th annual All State Banquet, which will be held on Sunday, January 7th , 2024 at 11:00 AM at Pines Manor in Edison, NJ.
All State honorees from North 1, North 2, and Private School teams will be honored at this banquet. Please make sure your player’s name is spelled correctly on our SCANJ website which is www.scanj.org . If you have a question concerning this matter or your name is spelled incorrectly
please email Evan Brosniak at [email protected] by Sunday, December 3rd .
The price of each ticket is $55.00, which is non-refundable. All people who attend, coaches, players, and their parents, as well as anyone else attending must purchase a ticket for the banquet. Please include with your check a note stating the players name, school, and number in you party which should match the amount of tickets you purchase. If your school is paying for the player, please indicated that in your note as well so our reservation is accurate. Reservations will only be accepted by mail and checks should be made payable to Soccer Coaches Association of NJ (SCANJ). If you want confirmation of your reservation, you must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Remember, when making your reservations send your checks by Saturday, December 23rd , 2023 and indicate your name, school, number in your party, and telephone number to on a separate piece of paper:
Chris Hayston
7 Bristol Way
East Windsor, NJ 08520
[email protected]
Congratulations to your following players who have been chosen to be honored at the 2023 All State Banquet. Your players will be honored at the 54th annual All State Banquet, which will be held on Sunday, January 7th , 2024 at 2:00 PM at Pines Manor in Edison, NJ.
All State honorees from Central 1, Central 2, and South Sectional teams will be honored at this banquet. Please be aware that senior players invited to play in the all star game will be individually contacted and players on this list are invited to the banquet only. The players listed below were named to one of the 2023 All State Teams.
Please make sure your player’s name is spelled correctly on our SCANJ website which is www.scanj.org . If you have a question concerning this matter or your name is spelled incorrectly please email Evan Brosniak at [email protected] by Sunday, December 3rd .
The price of each ticket is $55.00, which is non-refundable. All people who attend, coaches, players, and their parents, as well as anyone else attending must purchase a ticket for the banquet. Please include with your check a note stating the players name, school, and number in you party which should match the amount of tickets you purchase. If your school is paying for the player, please indicated that in your note as well so our reservation is accurate.
Reservations will only be accepted by mail and checks should be made payable to Soccer Coaches Association of NJ (SCANJ). If you want confirmation of your reservation, you must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Remember, when making your reservations send your checks by Saturday, December 23rd , 2023 and indicate your name, school, number in your party, and telephone number to on a separate piece of paper:
Chris Hayston
7 Bristol Way
East Windsor, NJ 08520
[email protected]
We are always looking for players, coaches, and people who have made an impact on high school boys’ soccer and the development throughout New Jersey to induct. If you have a name, please send the name with a Bio to Steve Torre at [email protected]