A New Era for Wildcats Soccer: SJA Welcomes Coach Matt Perrella as Soccer Director
St. Joseph Academy is proud to announce the hiring of former professional player and accomplished coach, Matt Perrella, as the new Director of Soccer. With an impressive resume on both the field and the sideline, Coach Perrella brings a wealth of experience and a bold vision to build a premier soccer program for both boys and girls at SJA.
A native of North Brunswick, NJ, Perrella was a standout New Jersey All-State Goalkeeper before becoming a four-year starter and three-year captain at Division I Rider University. During his collegiate career, he earned recognition as one of the top goalkeepers in the MAAC. Following his time at Rider, he took his talents overseas to England, where he spent nearly two years training with Newcastle United under legendary Reserves Coach Peter Beardsley.
Perrella’s professional playing career includes stints with Bethlehem Steel FC (Philadelphia Union affiliate) and Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Championship. But his coaching career has been equally notable. Most recently, he led the Ocean City Nor’easters to back-to-back Mid-Atlantic titles and the best start in the club’s nearly 30-year history. He also played a major role in Camden County College’s historic back-to-back National Semi-Final appearances.
“The high school soccer landscape has taken a unique turn,” Coach Perrella notes. “Players are missing out on the experience of playing in front of their peers. My high school memories—watching St. Benedict’s win a national championship and then winning a Group 4 Sectional Title at North Brunswick—are moments I’ll never forget. At SJA, we’re not here to just have a winning record. We’re going to compete for state and national honors by attracting the best local and international talent.”
Coach Perrella’s experience spans far beyond domestic soccer. He has served as Goalkeeper Coach for Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC) in the NWSL, Assistant Coach for the Zimbabwe Men’s National Team under former Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar, and now works with the Marshall Islands Football Association. Additionally, he leads the Nor’easters Soccer Academy, competing in the elite USL Academy League.
“Creating a culture takes time. We need families and players who are all in for the four-year process,” Perrella emphasizes. “The scene is competitive. We won’t cut corners—we’ll build something real here.”
To kick off this new era, Coach Perrella and his staff will be holding open ID sessions this July, open to all current SJA students and prospective 7th–10th grade boys and girls interested in joining the program. These FREE sessions will be a first look at what the future of Wildcats Soccer can be.
“If you want to play college soccer and you’re willing to work, we’ll help you get there,” Perrella adds. “We’re a player-centered program. The staff and I have the relationships, the experience, and the commitment to make it happen—and I can’t wait to see what we’ve got to start with.”
Mr. Timothy Fingerhut, Athletic Director at St. Joseph Academy, shared his enthusiasm:
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Coach Perrella to the SJA community. His experience, energy, and proven track record of developing players make him the perfect leader to take our soccer programs to the next level. This is a major step forward for both our boys and girls teams, and we’re excited for what the future holds.”
St. Joseph Academy is excited to welcome Coach Matt Perrella and looks forward to watching Wildcats Soccer rise to new heights under his leadership. Stay tuned for more information on summer ID sessions and the future of this exciting program.
