NJAC Rookie of the Week Anabel Makutonin

By John DeFreitas | Published October 16, 2023

It only took 121 seconds for Anabel Makutonin to make her presence known with a goal, slotted in the bottom right corner of the net, during the Kean Cougars’ home opener from Alumni Stadium.  

It was Makutonin’s brace (two goals in one game) that led her to earn the early season award for NJAC Rookie of the Week and led the team to a 2-1 victory over FDU-Florham. 

“She made the right run, “said head coach Brian Doherty. “And two, you know, she put the chance away.” 

With precision and power, Makutonin made no mistake scoring the first goal of the game against FDU-Florham with a one-hop shot from her left foot. This gave the Cougars their first lead of the season.  

The Cougars would concede only a short time into the second half, presenting another hurdle for the team but also an opportunity. Makutonin would be the first to step up for her team yet again.  

With less than three minutes left in the second half and new rules dictating no overtime in the event of a draw, Makutonin made sure not to leave the game where it stood.  

Off the reception of a pass from Lianna Quezeda, Makutonin split two defenders with an elusive touch and managed to beat a third defender through contact, before she unleashed a shot with her stalwart left foot again. 

Makutonin’s drive would find the back of the net once more. This time towards the top left corner, allowing a celebration to ensue for a moment between her and the team. Any coach would love to see this kind of production in first-year athletes.  

“She was just an all-around good attacking center midfielder when I saw her play,” Doherty said. “She was… making the appropriate passes, making good decisions, setting teammates up for success.”  

Doherty recognized Makutonin as a smart player with a very high soccer IQ. 

Makutonin mentioned a time when Doherty came to see her play in one of her tournaments during high school.  

“Brian actually came to two of my tournaments,” said Makutonin. “Then when I came to Kean, the campus was beautiful, Brian really showed me around and I could tell the team chemistry was better than what I saw at the other schools [I visited].” 

“We went after her hard,” said Doherty. “We make it known that we want you to come if we want you to come, and we go see players multiple times, talk to them, talk to their parents.”  

Not all players are recruited in the state, like outside back Isabel Quast who came from Elyria, Ohio to play for the Cougars. Quast ended up becoming roommates with Makutonin and glowingly spoke about some of Makutonin’s play in the midfield.  

“I think especially playing in the back line, you can see a lot more field,” said Quast. “I think I just see her [Makutonin’s] movement… Especially her overlapping runs with forwards. I see her doing those give-and-goes with forwards all the time. And nine times out of ten she’s breaking the back line, getting in, getting us chances.” 

The on-field product from Makutonin has been strong, which has been echoed by her coach and teammate, but all three brought up a variable outside of what happens on the field, team chemistry.  

“We always come back around and pick each other back up,” said Quast. “And we don’t really have any cliques on the team… It’s a really good environment.” 

Quast spoke more about their chemistry and a motto that the team is living out on and off the pitch: “Play for Her.” 

“We’re all going through the same thing and we’re all there for each other and we’re all trying to do it with a smile on our face,” said Quast. “It’s our job to play for each other. If we can’t play for ourselves, we’re gonna do it for the person next to us.” 

With strong home performances and consistent chemistry amongst seemingly all levels of the team, the Kean Cougars Women’s soccer team will look to rely on strong play not only from the junior and senior class but also budding talents like freshman Makutonin. After already being named NJAC rookie of the week, Makutonin still strives for more from herself in the future.  

“I’m looking to really be a team player, but also be able to score goals for the team because that’s just how you win games,” said Makutonin. “Brian tells me a lot, every time before I step on the field, he’s like, ‘Go score a goal, go score a goal, you know you can do it.’”  

---