Freehold Township grad delivering for red-hot Rutgers men's soccer

Joshua Jerome, a Freehold Township native, has been making waves with the Rutgers men's soccer team. In June, he and his teammates had the opportunity to play against the Senegalese national team during a closed-door scrimmage at Rutgers' facility. Jerome described the experience as "unreal," praising the Senegalese team's technical skills and speed. Despite losing 3-1, Jerome gained valuable confidence, realizing that "we can hang with anybody."

In mid-September, Rutgers showed their promise by defeating top-ranked opponents, including UCLA, Princeton, and Ohio State. In the latter match, Jerome scored the winning goal in the 54th minute. He emphasized that it was a team effort, as his teammates hustled to create the scoring opportunity.

Rutgers currently holds a ranking of No. 21 nationally and is set to face a strong Washington team this Friday. Jerome believes the team has the potential to become the best in the country. Although he faced challenges adjusting to Division I soccer, Jerome was determined to improve his game. He said, "I definitely struggled at the beginning. I had to step my game up."

Jerome, who recently declared a major in journalism, aims to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. He enjoys talking to people and loves sports, and he now has some unforgettable stories to share from his Rutgers experience. Jerry Carino, a long-time sports reporter for the Asbury Park Press, covered this story.