Ocean City, NJ - The Ocean City Nor’easters have seen over 120 former players go on to reach the professional level. As the leading path to pro in South Jersey, Ocean City prides itself on the success of their alumni.

2024 saw many former Storm players achieve individual and team-wide successes. 6 Nor'easter alumni signed their first pro contracts. Storm alumni won a trophy in every level of the US Soccer pyramid, from MLS to USL-League One. There are Nor’easters playing for professional teams across the world from North America to Europe, and even as far away as Indonesia. Ocean City alumni represented their national teams in the Nations League, World Cup Qualifying, and at the Copa América. 

This is Part 2 of the 2024 Alumni Recap.

Part 1 can be found HERE.

Deri Corfe (Univ. Rio Grande/Wright State Univ./Chester, England) continued to globe trot in 2024. After spending the past two years in New Zealand and Australia, Corfe returned to the professional level with Persiraja Banda Aceh in Liga 2 of Indonesia. There, Corfe has recaptured his USL-2 MVP form that he showed in 2019 with the Nor’easters. The Englishmen leads his team in goals with 11, and has added 3 assists through 15 games. Not only is he Persiraja’s top scorer, he’s also 2nd in Liga 2. These performances have lifted Banda Aceh all the way to the top of the table as they fight for promotion.

John McCarthy (La Salle/Philadelphia, PA) had a career year, winning his second MLS Cup. After signing as a free agent with the LA Galaxy, McCarthy earned the starting job in preseason. He went on to set career highs in games, minutes, and saves. He finished the regular season with 127 saves, good for 2nd in the league. He kept two clean sheets in the Galaxy’s run to MLS Cup and made 4 saves in the 2-1 win. You can read all about McCarthy’s 2024 season and get an exclusive look into his career in this feature article: HERE

Nick Akoto (Tennessee Wesleyan Univ./Keiser Univ./South Miami, FL) made history with his record-breaking transfer to EFL League One’s Burton Albion. After impressing with USL League One’s South Georgia Tormenta, The Brewers decided to make a move for the former Nor’easter. Although the fee remains undisclosed it is the first paid international transfer in USL-1 history as well as the most expensive fee a USL-1 club has received. Since crossing the pond Akoto has racked up 20 appearances for a total of 1,026 minutes in all competitions. He scored his first goal for Burton Albion in the EFL League Cup versus Northampton. Akoto continues to provide options for the Black and Yellow army as they look to avoid relegation and has registered appearances at right midfield, right-back and center-back.

Duke Lacroix (Univ. of Penn/New Egypt, NJ) won the USL-Championship final and helped Haiti qualify for their 17th CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

Lacroix featured across Colorado’s backline in 2024. He logged 19 games at center back and filled in on either flank as a full back. His versatility, consistency, and experience was a big asset to the Switchbacks in their first ever title winning campaign. In all competitions, Lacroix played in 33 games, totaling 2,737 minutes and scored one goal. In addition to his triumphs at the club level, he also had success at the international level.

After an initial call-up for Les Grenadiers in 2023, Lacroix made his competitive debut in June of 2024 in a duo of World Cup Qualifiers. He started at left back against St. Lucia, and went the full 90 in a 2-1 win. He did one better in the following game versus Barbados, starting and scoring in another full 90 effort. Lacroix made three more appearances for Les Rouges et Bleu in 2024, all in Nations League Qualifiers. In his most recent appearance, he scored another goal from left back in an 8-0 win over Sint-Maarten that secured Haiti’s spot in the 2025 Gold Cup. 

Brendan Hines-Ike (Creighton Univ./Univ. South Florida/Denver,CO) became the full time starter for Austin FC after joining from DC United in the offseason. He quickly slotted in at center back and ended the year having logged 2,492 minutes from 31 appearances, drawing 28 starts. He scored 2 goals and added an assist, including an injury time winner in the final match of the season against the Colorado Rapids. He led the team in blocks (38) and clearances (85). Following the 2024 season, his high level of play caused Austin FC to extend his contract into 2025.

Marco Milanese (Akron/UNC Greensboro/Isernia,Italy) was part of a historic season with Union Omaha in USL-League One. He was a big contributor on the Owls backline and did his part to help Omaha secure their second ever ‘double’. Omaha won the USL-1 Player’s Shield as well as the League One Final. Milanese led the team in interceptions with 32 and was second in tackles won with 21 as per Football Reference. Milanese also made 3 appearances in the Owl’s US Open Cup run, scoring 1 goal. He went the full 90 in both the semi-final and final of the League One playoffs. All in all, Milanese appeared in 28 matches and logged 2,354 minutes. His importance to the team was shown when he donned the captain’s armband in the final regular season match, a 3-1 win against Central Valley Fuego.

Make sure to check back next week for Part 3! It will continue following the active Nor'easters in the Pros including Jamaican national team goalie Jahmali Waite and others.

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