Tom Tzabari and Two Other Dukes Sign with Otters for 2022

The time has come to begin unveiling the Otters signees for the 2022 season! Check back each Wednesday as a new group of players will be announced every week. The first group of 2022 features the Otters lone returning player in Tom Tzabari as well as two of his teammates from Duquesne in Torge Witteborg and Nate Dragisich. Don’t forget, season tickets for the 2022 season are already on sale at ottersoccer.com!

Torge Witteborg, CB, Duquesne

Originally set to join the Otters last summer before suffering an injury in the spring, Torge Witteborg finally makes his way to East Tennessee. In his first year with Duquesne, the German defender made seven starts across nine appearances, including starting and playing the full 90 minutes in the A-10 Championship Game against St. Louis. Witteborg began his career at Ottawa University (Arizona), where he scored three goals and logged over 1,700 minutes as a freshman before transferring to Duquesne.

Tom Tzabari, MF, Duquesne

The Israeli defensive midfielder returns to Johnson City after completing his first full season of college soccer with the Dukes. With the Otters last summer, Tzabari appeared in ten matches, scoring three goals and an assist, good enough for fourth on the team in total points. In just his second start, Tzabari recorded a goal and an assist to knock off previously unbeaten West Virginia United at home by a score of 3–1. Tzabari won both Goal of the Year and Midfielder of the Year for the Otters end of season awards. At Duquesne this fall, he started all but one game, recording a goal and an assist. His goal came with just five minutes remaining in the Dukes eventual 2–1 win in the first round of the A-10 Tournament, to help spur a run to the championship for the first time since 2002.

Nate Dragisich, MF, Duquesne

The Otters final signing of this group is the former Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Pennsylvania. Dragisich began his career at Duquesne in 2019, where he recorded two goals and five assists as a true freshman, leading the team in the latter category and being named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team. He has appeared in every possible match through his two full seasons (and a shortened COVID season), starting all but one. This fall, Dragisich started all 19 games tallying five goals and five assists, finishing second in goals, points, and shots. Dragisich was named to the A-10 Second Team. In the tournament, Dragisich’s early goal against Rhode Island in the semifinals helped lead the Dukes to the 2–1 upset win and a place in the championship match. He was also named to the A-10 All-Tournament Team.

All signings pending league and federation approval

This group is just the beginning, with six more groups left to be announced! For more announcements both on and off the field head over to ottersoccer.com and follow @ottersoccer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! #FearTheFur #Path2Pro