Nathan Bunting '23 Recruiting Profile

While soccer is by far my favorite sport, I have played almost every sport at a high-level such as AA lacrosse including earning the right to compete in the World Series of Youth Lacrosse in Denver, travel basketball including two championships, district baseball, ice hockey including two championships, and a number of other less organized sports (snowboarding, surfing, diving and mountain biking). Being a multi-sport athlete who usually plays on two or more teams at the same time requires not only peak fitness but also significant discipline to balance competing demands including performing academically (3.7 GPA) in a very rigorous, highly-rated school district.   

I am the starting left center back for the U-17 MLS Next Real Jersey FC team. Before moving to MLS Next in August 2021 we completed in the USYS National League.  In May 2021 we won the USYS National Championship Series and were crowned NJ State Champions.  We qualified for and competed in the USYS Eastern Regional Championships in both 2019 and 2021 (2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic). 

I also am a starting center back on the 2005 New Jersey ODP team.  I tried out for the team three times (2019, 2020 & 2021) and was selected every time. I was recently named to the ODP East Region Pool, one of only three NJ ODP 2005 players selected.     

Before moving to MLS Next in August 2021 I played high school soccer and lacrosse, starting varsity as a sophomore on both teams.  My sophomore year my high school soccer team had its best season in over twenty year with a 12-1-2 record losing only the first game of the season.  We won the South Jersey Group 3 Championship, which was the farthest any team could advance due to COVID (no state championships).   With the move to MLS Next after my sophomore year, I was required to forego high school soccer and lacrosse given the conflicting demands. 

My personal goal is to play high level collegiate soccer at an institution with strong academics that best prepares me for future success. I am interested in serving my country after graduation in the military, and am currently a member of the Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol. I want to be part of a program that values hard work, discipline and has an appropriate balance between athletics and academics. My size, speed, physicality and technical ability come from cross-training for many years. I believe that my success as a multiple sport athlete gives me an advantage over other soccer players who haven't developed the skills to compete and win in any environment.  I look forward to bringing my passion and skills to the collegiate level!