NEWARK, NJ – Kearny native John Plaugic has been named to the Rutgers-Newark Women's Soccer Staff by head coach Bill Bustamante.

Plaugic brings success as an assistant coach at the major prep school level, as a goalkeeper instructor and as a fitness trainer to his job as assistant coach for the Rutgers-Newark women's soccer program.

Plaugic, holds a bachelor of arts in education from Caldwell College. At Caldwell, Plaugic was a three-year starting goalkeeper, team captain, 2009 regular season CACC champion and a two time All-CACC Honorable Mention selection for the Cougars.

Plaugic currently is the assistant varsity soccer coach at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark. In his first year, the Gray Bee's captured the 2009 State Prep A Championship and finished No. 18 in the final national high school poll by ESPN.

Plaugic currently is a staff member for Red Bull NY Regional Developmental School (RDS). The New York Red Bulls set the pace for player development in Major League Soccer as the first professional team to boast a satellite-based, academy feeder system.

A graduate of Kearny High School, Plaugic was a 2002 NJSIAA Boys Group IV State Champion. After college, Plaugic played at the professional level with Norwegian 2. division side Kolstad FK.

Plaugic holds a NSCAA National Diploma, NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma and obtained the American Red Cross, Adult, Infant, & Child CPR, AED & First Aid Certification.