Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague
 
In the sport of soccer, finding a player with versatility is a godsend. If a coach can get a player who can play a multitude of positions, it makes his job as coach that much easier.
 
Diego Moraes has been that and more during his four years at Rutgers-Newark. Moraes, who was a defender during his high school days at Science Park in Newark, was converted into a forward during his freshman year with the Scarlet Raiders, scoring two goals.
 
“We needed help at forward, so we used him as a forward,” said Rutgers-Newark head coach Kevin East. “And he was able to score some goals.”
 
“I didn’t mind being a forward,” Moraes said.
 
As a sophomore, Moraes was moved to the midfield.
 
“But we moved him to the midfield so he could naturally gravitate to the back,” East said.
 
“I played center defensive midfield,” Moraes said. “I liked having the responsibility of being a defender.”
 
So when the 2014 season was ready to kick off, East moved Moraes back even more.
 
“We moved him to center back and he’s been fantastic,” East said. “Not only is he good with the ball, but he’s a good defender back there. He knows when to cut off passes and make tackles. He’s been huge for us in the back. He settles us down and is great on the ball, because he’s such a technical player. It’s like having a center midfielder in the back. He initiates our offensive attack from the back.”
 
Needless to say, it’s been beneficial to have someone like Moraes who has shown the ability to play all three positions.
 
“It’s definitely good when you have someone like that,” East said. “Diego is just a soccer player. He’s played a lot of positions for us and handled them all well. He’s just a complete package.”
 
Moraes’ transformation as a college soccer player became complete recently when he was selected to the All-New Jersey Athletic Conference First Team as a defender and was named the NJAC Defensive Player of the Week once this season.
 
Moraes helped the Scarlet Raiders secure their second straight at-large appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, as Rutgers-Newark headed to Babson Park, Massachusetts this weekend to face Babson College in the first round.
 
“He’s one of the main reasons why we’re there,” East said. “He’s one of the main pieces why we are where we are.”
 
East said that he always had faith that Moraes would develop into a major contributor with the Scarlet Raiders.
 
“I always thought he had the ability,” East said. “He just needed to mature. He needed to be calmer on the field. He would let his temper get the best of him and get penalized with yellow cards that hurt him. He just lacked a little discipline. I knew he was going to be on the field. It was just a matter of where. His biggest obstacle was himself.”
 
“This year, I worked on that a lot,” Moraes said. “Coach East helped me mature. He helped me grow up and act more mature on the field. Now, when I play, I try to stay focused and play smart. I have a job to do.”
 
“Once he got focused and realized his ability,” East said, “Diego was going to be a player. His ability and his knowledge of the game just took over from there. He always had the tools. He just got himself together. I really thought he could become one of the best players in the conference and he did.”
 
Moraes said that he loves having the key role to the Scarlet Raiders’ defense.
 
“I think I see the game pretty well,” Moraes said. “I see everything, so I can bring my skills to the other parts of the field. I enjoy playing there a lot.”
 
Incredibly, Moraes’ spectacular senior year almost never took place. He suffered a dislocated shoulder during the summer. Doctors told Moraes that he might need surgery, which would have ended his collegiate career.
 
“I decided to play with it,” Moraes said. “I wanted to play so much. I wore a brace in order to play. It wasn’t that bad.”
 
Moraes said that he worked with the R-N athletic training staff in rehabilitating the shoulder.
 
“I was really excited for this year,” Moraes said. “I had a lot of anxiety, because I thought I might not be able to play. I knew this was my last year and I didn’t want it to end that way. I wanted to do something special.”
 
It’s safe to say Moraes has enjoyed a special senior year – and then some.
 
“I really didn’t expect any of it,” Moraes said of his postseason honors. “I earned All-NJAC and Defensive Player of the Week. That was amazing. I was really happy that I got something for myself and for the team. I wanted to win the NJAC championship. Since that didn’t happen, I now want to win the NCAA championship. I just want to compete and win this thing.”
 
Moraes is majoring in criminal justice with a minor in psychology. While Moraes would love to get the chance to play soccer professionally, he might pursue law school or a career in the FBI.
 
“He’s definitely been a leader on the field,” East said. “The other guys look up to him.”
 
That’s the first start toward securing a career after soccer. Being diversified is another helpful tool. Looks like Diego Moraes is well on his way.