Local Student-Athletes Find Success at the College Level

Madie Gibson, a graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School, was a fifth-year player on Monmouth University’s women’s soccer team. She started all 19 games and led the team in assists, with six, and was second on the team in goals, with eight.
The Hawks posted a 14-2-3 record, with a mark of 7-2 at home. In the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), they had a regular-season record of 10-0.
They captured the MAAC Tournament championship, with triumphs over Niagara and Fairfield, in games played in West Long Branch. From there, Monmouth advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost on penalty kicks to Providence, in a contest held in Rhode Island. Gibson is listed as a communications major.
Gibson is joined by other local athletes who had a successful season at the college level this year.
Marissa McGaffney, also a graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School, was a junior defender and midfielder for Drew University’s women’s soccer team. She competed in all 18 games, started in 17 of them, and finished the season with one goal and two assists.
The Rangers had an overall record of 8-9, with a mark of 5-4 on their home field. They had three wins in the Landmark Conference. McGaffney is listed as a psychology major, with a minor in law, justice, and society.
Aaron Cottrell and Joseph McGhee, also graduates of Lower Cape May Regional High School, were members of Kean University’s football team. Cottrell, a sophomore linebacker, played in nine games and recorded 24 tackles (17 solo) and an interception. He also forced and recovered a fumble. McGhee is on the roster as a freshman defensive lineman.
The Cougars posted a 3-7 record, with a mark of 2-2 at home. They also had two wins in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
Kevin Santiago, a graduate of Wildwood High School, was a senior defender for the College of Saint Elizabeth’s men’s soccer program, playing in 11 games and starting in four of them.
The Eagles won two games overall, with one being on their home field. Santiago is listed as a health science major.
Mia Capozzoli, a graduate of Wildwood Catholic High School, is on the roster as a senior for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s women’s tennis team for the 2019-20 season. Capozzoli went 5-1 in singles competition, and 2-2 in doubles competition.
The Devils finished 6-0 this fall, with a mark of 3-0 on their home courts. Capozzoli is listed as a biology major.
Reese Bloomstead, a graduate of Ocean City High School, was a freshman defender for Monmouth University’s field hockey team. Bloomstead played in 15 games, with seven starts.
The Hawks finished 14-5, and they were 8-3 at home. In the America East Conference, they went 5-0 in the regular season.
They advanced to the America East Championships, where they topped California (Berkeley), 4-3, before losing to Stanford, 2-1. Both contests were held in West Long Branch. Bloomstead is listed as an early education major.