Conn College goalie Marcucci selected by Red Bulls in MLS SuperDraft

Connecticut College senior goalkeeper AJ Marcucci (West Chester, Pa.) was selected in the third round of the 2021 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday when the New York Red Bulls selected him with the 67th overall pick.

Marcucci, from West Chester, Pa., is the first Division III player to be drafted since midfielder Marshall Hollingsworth of Wheaton (Ill.) was taken at No. 41 overall by the Columbus Crew in 2016.

Marcucci also becomes the third New England Small College Athletic Conference player to be chosen in the draft. Alex Blake and Khari Stephenson, both Williams College graduates, were selected 28th overall by the Colorado Rapids (2003) and Chicago Fire (2004), respectively.

"Our program is so proud of AJ and his family," Conn College coach Reuben Burk said in a release. "I know this is a dream come true for him and probably something he has visualized about every day for the last several years.

"He has earned this opportunity, and we couldn't be happier and more excited for him. AJ is a true example of how dedication, commitment, and self-belief can open up doors that others might say can't be opened. We all look forward to watching AJ seize this opportunity."

Marcucci started in 54 of the Camels' 55 matches between 2017 and 2019, helping Conn go 35-10-9. He finished his career with a school-record 25 shutouts with an .887 save percentage and an 0.50 goals against average.

Marcucci was an NCAA All-America first team selection as the nation's top Division III goalkeeper twice (2018, 2019) by both the United Soccer Coaches and D3soccer.com. He was also named the 2017 NESCAC Rookie of the Year and the 2018 NESCAC Player of the Year.

The Camels had their most successful three-year run with Marcucci in goal from 2017-19. They became Conn's first program to qualify for three straight NCAA tournaments, which included being chosen to host the opening two rounds for the first time in school history in 2018, and they advanced to the Elite 8 in 2019. Marcucci's senior season in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is a tremendous achievement for AJ and is a reflection of the broader excellence of our student athletes at Conn," athletic director Mo White said. "The college is incredibly proud of AJ and looking forward to seeing what he will do next as a New York Red Bulls player."