Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

If there’s one aspect of Bryan Boyer’s overall approach as a soccer player that impressed Kevin East the most, it would be the Rutgers-Newark senior defender’s fitness level.

“His level of fitness is unreal,” said East, who begins his fifth season as the Scarlet Raiders’ head men’s soccer coach as the team embarks on a two-game trip to California to start the 2011 season.

“By far, Bryan is the fittest guy in the program,” East said of Boyer. “His fitness is outstanding. Some kids can just run. Bryan is one of them.”

Boyer said that he works on his conditioning by consistently running.

“I do a decent amount of work on my own,” said the senior out of Cranford High School. “I usually run a couple miles a day. I’m also in the gym a couple times a week.”

When he was told about East’s comments, Boyer was pleased.

“It’s a very good compliment to hear,” Boyer said. “I guess it proves that my hard work is paying off.”

Boyer has been diligent in his preparation for his final season, which begins with matches against Pomona-Pitzer and the University of the Redlands on Thursday and Saturday.

For one, Boyer has a permanent slot in the starting lineup, securing a place among the Scarlet Raiders’ four backs in the defense. Boyer has played both midfield and back during his days with the program, but has now solidified his status with a spot with the back four.

“I’ve been moved around a lot and I grew up getting moved around,” Boyer said. “But it’s good to know that I have one spot now. When you get moved around, it’s hard to adjust. I’m pretty comfortable playing anywhere, but I’m glad to be where I’m at.”

Secondly, Boyer has been plagued by injuries over the last few years. He battled a hip flexor and a hamstring injury in each of the past two seasons.

“It’s extremely frustrating, getting hurt and not being able to play,” Boyer said. “I put in a lot of hard work in the offseason to try to prevent more injuries. When you get hurt, it takes a toll on everything.”

“It was tough,” East said. “We would lose Bryan for decent amount of games and that would set us back. But he came through the preseason without any nicks and looks really solid out there.”

Boyer believes his injury woes are behind him.

“I feel great,” Boyer said. “It’s the best I’ve felt in a few years.”

Boyer knows that he has an important role, being a senior on a fairly young squad.

“I think the leadership just comes with the seniority,” Boyer said. “All the seniors have stepped up and tried to lead the team. We really have a good team this year and can compete with anyone we face. So we had to all step up and lead.”

East is pleased with the way Boyer uses all of his skills.

“He has good feet and he’s tactically sound,” East said. “He is very aware of everything that is going on and sometimes kids struggle with that. But Bryan is able to win a ball and knows where to go with the ball. He knows when to hold it and then distributes it well with connecting passes that are right there. As a defender, when you win the ball, you want to be able to keep it and Bryan does that.

Added East, “He’s going to be a big part of our defense. He solidifies our back four and it’s one of our better back fours.”

East also likes one other aspect of Boyer’s game.

“He doesn’t get beat often,” East said. “I think I can remember him getting beat only one time and even then he recovered. He’s hard to get around.”

Boyer is a criminal justice major at R-N. He plans to get involved in some form of law enforcement upon his graduation in 2012.

“I’m still looking around, but I’m leaning toward law enforcement,” Boyer said.

Boyer is excited about having a healthy, fit and successful senior year, perhaps improving on the 12-9-1 record the Scarlet Raiders had last year, making another postseason playoff appearance in the process.

“It’s really exciting,” Boyer said. “We have a chance to be part of something special this year. We could even become the best team the school’s ever had. The expectations are definitely high. We have a young squad, but it’s a good one. It will definitely be the best team I’ve played on here, so I’m excited about that.

Added Boyer, “And I have to stay healthy. I haven’t had a full season here yet.”

With his fitness and offseason regimen, chances are that Bryan Boyer is poised to also have his last season at Rutgers-Newark become his best.