Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

When Kevin East took over the men’s soccer program at Rutgers-Newark in 2007, he wanted to make an immediate impact in recruiting, building a solid foundation for the Scarlet Raiders’ program.

So East knew that he had to bring in quality players who were also quality people – top-flight soccer players that would help to bring in other top players down the road.

Enter Estiven Benitez, who was an All-State performer at Watchung Hills High School in Warren, N.J., a highly-skilled player who was going to be the cornerstone of the R-N program for the years to come.

“We knew that a good midfielder would be the kind of position to build the program around,” East said. “Estiven was one of the first kids we went after when I got the job here. He’s a skilled player, a technical player who is good on the ball and can hold the ball. His ability on the ball made him a player that I wanted to have in the program. He also had a good attitude and a good head on his shoulders. I knew he would also do well academically. I thought it was a good fit for him. He was a good person to build the program around.”

Benitez said that he was impressed with East’s approach during the recruiting process.

“Coach East was one of the main reasons why I came to Rutgers-Newark,” Benitez said. “I saw him at some soccer tournaments and we spoke a few times. I was impressed with what he had to say. I knew that I would be comfortable here.”

Benitez has been a starter from the minute he arrived on campus in 2007. While he played forward in high school, Benitez knew that he was really a midfielder at heart – and East was going to make Benitez a midfielder with the Scarlet Raiders.

“I like that position and really played it for most of my whole life,” Benitez said. “When he told me that I would be a midfielder, that made me want to come here even more.”

Benitez said that he didn’t mind having the responsibilities of being a playmaking midfielder.

“At first, it was totally different in college than it was in high school,” Benitez said. “It scared me at first, but then I liked having the responsibility.”

“We used him on the outside last year,” East said of Benitez. “But this year, we moved him to the middle and he handled it very well. He’s been our center midfielder from the beginning of the season. He wasn’t quite ready for it last year, but he was ready this year. We needed to give him a little more experience, but this year, he was like our quarterback out there.”

Benitez scored two goals and had three assists a year ago. While his offensive production has dipped somewhat this year, it’s not because his play has dipped.

“He did get better from last year to this year,” East said. “He’s much better physically and he’s only going to get better. He’s only a sophomore, playing a key role. He just needs to work on some things, becoming more of a scoring threat. He needs to be able to set others up to score. We’ve talked about that. It’s all part of the process. He’s maturing and moving in the right direction.”

Benitez knows that his role will increase in his final two years at R-N.

“Last year, I stayed back more and was more of a defensive midfielder,” Benitez said.

“This year, I’ve tried to become more offensive minded and I’ve done some good things. It’s definitely going to get me ready for next year.”

Benitez also has a very likeable personality, which makes him perfect for the role of playmaker.

“He’s very serious on the field, but off the field, he’s kind of a jokester,” East said. “That’s fine. He keeps everyone loose. He really seems to enjoy playing soccer and it reflects in his approach, in training, in preparation. He really enjoys himself, but he’s still one of the hardest working kids on the team. He’s always putting the best effort in.

Added East, “But he has a personality about him that makes everyone like him. He gets along with everyone and keeps everyone going.”

Benitez believes that his affable personality has been a huge help to him at R-N.

“Everyone always gets so hyped up and serious,” Benitez said. “I want everyone to know that the game is fun. Soccer is fun. If you take it too seriously, it can get to you. I joke around a lot, but I know when to stop.”

Benitez knows that his production has to improve if the Scarlet Raiders hope to reach double digits in victories next year.

“I know I have to get better,” Benitez said. “I know that I need to improve, so everyone improves. I know that I play an important position and it’s my job to get everyone involved in the game. I think it’s all part of the process, part of me getting older and more experience. I like that idea. I think we have a good team and we’re all going to get better.”

East has high hopes for Benitez.

“I think he’s only going to get better and I really expect him to be one of the top midfielders in the league (the New Jersey Athletic Conference) next year,” East said.

Benitez is majoring in business management at R-N. He hopes to one day take over his father Victor’s successful landscaping design business.

“I help out from time to time,” Benitez said. “I work in the office, do paper work.”

He’s part of the foundation of the Scarlet Raiders’ program and part of the foundation of his father’s business. It’s safe to say that Estiven Benitez is a person of high importance in many facets.