Ocean City Nor’easters News Release -- www.oceancityfc.com
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
OCEAN CITY, N.J. -- The Ocean City Nor’easters have become well known for introducing young talent and allowing them to develop on the field. This 2012 PDL season will be no exception. The Nor’easters have improved their recruitment through new Head Coach Tim Oswald who has looked for youth to help improve an already hungry and talented Nor’easters squad.
The latest group of players to put pen to paper and commit to the respected franchise are five NSCAA Regional All-Americans at the D-I and D-III levels and a Junior College All-American. Forwards Frank Tweneboa, JP Correa and Stephen Baker, midfielders Steven Jakubowski and Jason Plumhoff and experienced goalkeeper Timothy VanLiew all join the squad.
Tweneboa plays out of Mercer County Community College where he picked up a JUCO All-American Team selection and as a member of PDL rivals Reading United’s U20 side was named to the USL Super 20 All-Tournament Team.
“Frank has the attributes and intangibles that most players crave. He has sensational ability and a distinct demeanor on the pitch but is still so young and growing as a player," Oswald said. "He has had success at every level -- youth, academy, college -- and we hope that he finally peaks at the PDL level as he hopes to move ahead and sign a pro contract.”
Correa was a revelation at Rutgers University last fall, earning a NSCAA Regional All-American, Big East All-Rookie Team, ESPN First Team All-State award and many more high profile accolades. Coach Oswald knows that his experience will benefit the team and all the youngsters around him.
“JP’s ability is a rare find these days," Oswald said. "He can pretty much do what he wants, when he wants, and he does it well. He can combine, take people on and finish. It’s very clear to me as to why he was such a highly touted recruit within the ACC, Big East, and Pac 12.”
Baker is a forward of some promise, already noticed as a NSCAA regional All-American freshman he started all 13 games scoring five goals and adding four assists. Baker also picked up TopDrawersoccer.com National All-Rookie Team and SoccerAmerica.com All-Rookie Team selections as his potential is there for all to see.
“Steve is just an out and out pure finisher," Oswald said. "He can score goals in bunches and has the knack that many special forwards have to just find the frame. He consistently creates opportunities in the final third and that shows with the 13 goals he has scored in an Ivy League program in just over 30 games. We expect him to come down the shore and immediately produce.”
Jakubowski has numerous awards to his name, playing at the solid Long Island University program, including All-Northeast Conference First Team, NSCAA Scholar All-American, Second Team All-NEC and NEC Fall Academic Honor roll to name a few.
“Steve is a prototype target forward," Oswald said. "Big, strong, can play with his back to goal, and can take people on. Over his 4 years at LIU, he managed to collect 20 goals in an array of attacking position in Coach Kosnecky’s shape.”
Plumhoff played in 15 games with 13 straight starts before sustaining season-ending injury. During that time he scored seven goals and had six assists, ranking him second in the Atlantic 10 in assists. This successful year saw him pick up All-Atlantic 10 Rookie team and NSCAA Regional All-American selections. After an upbringing in Germany, which saw him be part of Bayern Munich’s youth system, Plumhoff has a great understanding of the game.
“Jason is the kind of player that you watch over and over again," Oswald said, "and he is the same player. Consistently consistent, yet polished, on point, and smart in all facets of the game. I feel that he will be a huge asset this summer and we hope to have him until he graduates from LaSalle”.
VanLiew has worked with Oswald at Rutgers-Camden and now the senior is giving his experience to the Nor’easters. Twice named the New Jersey Athletic Conference’s Goalkeeper of the Year, VanLiew also earned NJAC First Team honors, NSCAA South Atlantic Regional All-American and D3soccer.com All-American. He also played more minutes in goal (5,861:13), collected more wins (37) and faced more shots (864) than any goalie in program history.
“Tim capped off his career in style as he helped lead Rutgers-Camden to an NCAA Elite Eight appearance and a post season Top Five Ranking," Oswald said. "Having played against some of the top squads in all of D3 in each of his 4 years as a starter in Camden, we feel the opportunity for him to experience and compete at the PDL stage will lead to pushing his career forward in a positive direction. His leadership on the field, shot stopping ability, and range will surely make him a valuable asset in our goalkeeping corp.”
Future player announcements are on the way, visit www.OceanCityFC.com, like us on www.facebook.com/oceancityfc or follow us on www.twitter.com/oceancityfc for all the latest news.