Chris Amato made an immediate impact at Rutgers-Camden in his first year with the Scarlet Raptors. By the time he finished the 2006 season, Amato had earned such respect from New Jersey Athletic Conference opponents that he was named All-NJAC Honorable Mention.

        A transfer from Camden County College, Amato was the only player on the Raptors to start all 23 games in 2006. Not only did Amato help anchor a defense which posted 10 shutouts and the second-best goals-against average in program history (0.70), but he became one of the most dangerous offensive fullbacks in the NJAC as well. The left back finished sixth on the team in scoring with 10 points, producing four goals and two assists. His four goals tied for fourth on the team and helped Rutgers-Camden win the ECAC Metro Championship during a 13-4-6 campaign.

        Amato’s stellar play helped him earn a spot on the national d3kicks.com Team of the Week Oct. 10 after helping the Raptors post a 2-0-1 record in a three-game span. That stretch included a 1-1 tie against powerful Arcadia University (Oct. 2), with Amato scoring the Raptors’ lone goal of the game. He also had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Biblical University (Oct. 5) and helped Rutgers-Camden post a shutout in a 2-0 win over Lincoln University (Oct. 7).

        Amato had his first point for the Raptors with an assist in a 3-0 win over Neumann College (Sept. 6). His first goal came against Rowan in a 2-2 tie (Sept. 20). He also scored a goal in the Raptors’ 8-0 victory over John Jay College of Criminal Justice (Oct. 9).

       Amato spent his first two years of collegiate soccer at Camden County College. He earned two varsity letters in tennis and one in soccer at Sterling High School.

        A Business Management major at Rutgers-Camden, Chris is the son of Laura and Lou Amato of Stratford.