HACKENSACK, N.J. – Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer senior Rocky Garretson is one of two seniors on this year's team and an NEC Champion.

The senior defender from Manalapan, N.J., has played 175 minutes thus far this season and has appeared in 23 games during his career with the Burgundy and Blue. Last season, Garretson scored his first career goal in the Knights 2-1 win over NJIT and earned a start in FDU's NCAA Tournament game against the University of New Hampshire.

"Last year was an awesome experience as growing up I knew that I wanted to play in an NCAA Tournament game," stated Garretson about his NCAA Tournament experience. "Watching the selection show with my teammates and the whole trip was something that I'll always remember. Even though losing was tough, we are motivated to get back to the NCAA Tournament."

The Knights earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament after winning their ninth NEC Championship in program history. FDU was the fourth seed in the NEC's and knocked off the top two seeds (Saint Francis U) and (LIU) in penalty kicks to punch their ticket to the dance. 

"Once we got into the Tournament, we were focused on taking things one game at a time and we believed that we could win. Saint Francis U had beat us pretty bad the first time we played them, but we were a different team the second time we played them. We had the fighting spirit it took to beat them and then LIU. When we won the NEC Championship, seeing all of our hard work pay off and the team succeed was the most gratifying feeling."

The Knights are two games into the 2021 campaign and are a young squad with 17 newcomers, so Garretson has taken on a leadership role this season. "When you have that much turnover on a team it can be difficult, but we have a lot of grit. We may have a lot of freshmen, but we think we are good enough to compete with anyone in the conference. We are taking things one game at a time and I have tried to set a good example for my teammates."

Head coach Seth Roland, in his 24th season at FDU has had a positive impact on Garretson both on and off the pitch. "He's taught me that every day is a fight. You can't let down for one day as you can always improve and coming into everyday with a fresh day with an open mind is important. He has helped create a family type environment with our team and we are a close-knit team."

Off the pitch, Garretson and the Knights have volunteered at Whittier Elementary School and were teacher's assistants. "When the kids see you, they view you as role models and setting a positive example has always been important to me."

The Business Administration for Information Systems major plans to return to the Knights next season as he is taking part in the four plus one program with an MBA in Finance. 

FDU will be back in action on Monday, March 1 at 2 p.m. when they travel to Sacred Heart to face the Pioneers.