Tuesday, April 22, 2008

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

After enjoying a brilliant career at Wayne Hills, Erica Kunzig will continue playing soccer next year at Ramapo College.

WAYNE -- For Erica Kunzig, the recruiting process was as long and confusing as it is for most high school athletes who are preparing to play on the collegiate level. Kunzig, a four-year starter for the Wayne Hills soccer team, was looking for what most student-athletes are looking for when it comes to picking a school – a perfect fit. Kunzig wanted to go to college somewhere where she could get a good education, make an impact on the pitch right away and stay close to home. She found all three things she was looking for just a short drive from home on the campus of Ramapo College, where she will be going next year.

“I’m really excited about going to Ramapo (College) for several reasons,” said Kunzig, who was also considering Wagner College and Montclair State. “I really liked the school and the coaching staff made me feel at home.”

Kunzig, an All-Passaic County selection as a marking back, was as physical as any player in North Jersey. An intelligent and experienced player, she was rock solid on the back line for the Patriots. She marked some of the area’s top players and often succeeded in shutting them down. Behind her play, Wayne Hills stayed in the upper echelon of the NBIL, one of the state’s top leagues, all four years she played.

She realized early on that she wanted to continue playing soccer in college. So prior to her senior season Kunzig's parents contracted The Recruiting Network on NorthJerseySports.com to produce a Recruiting Video. The video gave Kunzig a way by which she could showcase her skill set to college coaches, many of whom may not have been able to otherwise see the kind of talent she displayed on the soccer field.

“The video definitely helped in giving college coaches an idea of what I could do,” added Kunzig, who is currently leading all North Jersey lacrosse players in scoring this spring. “Because of different schedules, some coaches just don’t have a chance to see you when you’re at your best. The Ramapo coaches really liked the video and I guess it made a good impression on them.”

But the video served as more than just a recruiting tool for Kunzig, it also provided a priceless keepsake that she will enjoy with friends and family for years to come.

“I absolutely loved the video, I’ve watched it so many times. It was a little weird watching myself on a DVD because I never really watched myself play before, but a good weird. The video was great and my dad thought it was amazing.”

Just a little more than two months from now Kunzig’s four-year journey through high school will come to an end and a new chapter will begin. She looks forward to the challenge and will look back fondly on her high school days.

“I definitely had a great experience in high school and I’m going to miss the times I had here,” added Kunzig. “I had a great time and (head coach Lona Ozrek) was great, I really learned a lot. But I’m also really excited about going to Ramapo.

"Getting the highlight video done helped in getting me the school I wanted to go to.”

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