Galloway, N.J. – Five Stockton University men's soccer players were recognized as the Ospreys received one major award and five
NJAC All-Conference kudos for the 2021 season. Senior
James McCombs (Brick/Brick Memorial) was voted NJAC Defensive Player of the Year and NJAC First Team to head the list of honorees.
Fellow senior
Ervin Gjeli (Hasbrouck Hts./Hasbrouck Hts.) joined McCombs on the NJAC First Team. Senior
Max Bond (Cherry Hill/CH West) was an NJAC Second Team selection while senior
Dino Gromitsaris (Bordentown/Bordentown) and junior
Peter Kozlej (Toms River/TR East) were chosen NJAC Honorable Mention.
McCombs became the fourth player in Stockton history to be named NJAC Defensive Player of the Year, joining Clevon McPherson (2015), Tom Ferron (2004) and Mike McAlarnen (2001-02). McCombs, Gjeli and Gromitsaris all received their third NJAC all-conference honor while Kozlej and Bond garnered their first accolades.
McCombs earned his second straight NJAC First Team selection following a Second Team nod in 2019. After missing time early in the season due to injury, the back contributed defensively by helping Stockton post shutouts in seven of the 12 games in which he appeared and limiting to opponents to one goal in two other matches.
Gjeli was elevated to the NJAC First Team after a Second Team spot in Spring 2021 and Honorable Mention in 2019. The midfielder scored eight goals and dished a team-high four assists to tie for the team lead with 20 points. Starting all 20 games, Gjeli potted four game-winning tallies and was a perfect 5-5 on penalty kicks this year.
Gjeli is tied for third in the NJAC in game-winning goals, tied for seventh in points, tied for eighth in assists and tied for ninth in goals. He ended his career with 21 goals, including nine game-winners, and 15 assists for 57 points in 84 career games.
Bond was selected for his first All-Conference recognition for his steady play. The versatile senior played multiple positions, helping Stockton to nine wins and nine shutouts. Excelling primarily in a defensive role, Bond started all 20 games and scored one goal with one assist for three points. He totaled five goals and seven assists for 17 points in 86 career games.
Gromitsaris earned his third consecutive NJAC Honorable Mention nod at goalkeeper. The senior had another solid season in net, starting all 19 games in which he appeared and leading the conference with seven shutouts.
Gromitsaris also ranks second in the NJAC in goals against average (1.07) plus third in save percentage (.762). For his career, Gromitsaris made 155 saves and stands fifth in Stockton history with 17 career shutouts in 54 games played as an Osprey.
Kozlej, a midfielder in his first season at Stockton after transferring from Fairleigh Dickinson, started all 20 games this season and scored one goal with two assists for four points. Kozlej registered 16 shots, including seven on goal, and joined with Gjeli to give Stockton a strong midfield tandem.
