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Revision as of 21:15, 6 May 2007 by NovaGrad70 (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Scott Thomas Palguta (born August 23, 1982 in Toms River, NJ) is a professional American soccer player, currently signed by the Rochester Raging Rhinos of the USL 1st Division. A 2001 graduate of Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River, NJ, he was recruited by several Division I programs including the University of Notre Dame and Lafayette University.
Palguta played with the New Jersey ODP (Olympic Development Program) from 1994 to 2002 including the Region I Team from 1999 to 2002. The ODP competition took him to Morocco, Holland, Switzerland, France and Belgium. During the later years, he was moved from the midfield to the backfield due to his size and speed.
Palguta played his college soccer at Cornell University from 2001-2004 and was named to the prestigious All-Ivy Team as a freshman and again as a senior. He led the team in scoring as a junior and was named Captain in his final year. He graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in Hotel Administration.
Palguta played his summer soccer for the Cape Cod Crusaders of the PDL (Professional Development League) from 2001-2003. He won back-to-back national championships in 2001 and 2002 and tallied the game-winning assist in the 2002 contest. He was named Captain in 2004 and led the team to the national semifinal game that year.
Palguta was drafted in March, 2005 in the 2nd Round of the USL First Division College Draft by the Rochester Raging Rhinos. He immediately earned a starting position as a defender and scored his first professional goal against the NY/NJ MetroStars. At season's end, he was the unanimous choice for "Rookie of the Year" honors.
Palguta has had several tryouts with MLS teams in his career including the Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, NY/NJ MetroStars and, most recently, with Real Salt Lake. He continues to return to Rochester, however, where he enjoys tremendous success.