PITMAN, N.J. (September 11, 2017) – Freshman back Adrian Velazquez of the nationally-ranked No. 8 Rutgers University-Newark men's soccer team was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie of the Week, it was announced Monday by the league office.
 
Velazquez has been a tremendous addition to the Scarlet Raider defense so far in 2017, helping the team to four shutouts in five matches.
 
Last week, the Kearny native was instrumental in two shutouts, three wins and the 2017 Brick City Classic team title.
 
Velazquez assisted on the overtime tournament-winner by sophomore Fabio De Sousa, sending a long ball into the zone and allowing De Sousa to do the rest. His efforts in triumphs over Whitman College and Elmhurst College allowed him to earn All-Brick City Classic honors as well.
 
The freshman has seen time in all five matches for Rutgers-Newark, playing 194-of-194 possible minutes in the team's last two games.
 
Rutgers-Newark is 5-0-0 and ranked eighth in the nation. The squad has won 17-straight regular-season matches dating back to a September 17, 2016 loss at Rutgers University-Camden, and the Scarlet Raiders return to action Saturday night when they host Camden for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff from Alumni Field.