Towson University Athletics

Fourth-year performer who is the Tigers’ returning place kicker ... talented kicker who is a hard worker ... served as Tigers’ punter as a freshman ... very accurate kicker ... could be one of the top kickers in the Colonial Athletic Association ... named as one of the top place kickers in FCS football by College Sports Performance Awards in 2012 pre-season ... good student who was named to the CAA’s Academic All-Conference team in 2010 ... has scored 139 points in college career.

2012 SEASON: Appeared in all 11 games as the Tigers’ place kicker ... ranked fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association with nine field goals ... connected on 9 of 16 field goal attempts ... helped Tigers to win over William & Mary by kicking a 27-yard field goal and a 30-yard field goal ... also booted a 25-yard field goal against St. Francis ... also made five conversion kicks and scored on a two-point conversion run ... connected on a 26-yard field goal at Louisiana State ... kicked a 40-yard field goal at James Madison ... kicked a 30-yard field goal and a 40-yard field goal against Old Dominion ... converted a seasonal long 43-yard field goal in season finale at New Hampshire ... made 36 of 41 extra point attempts ... averaged 53.4 yards per kickoff with 11 touchbacks.

2011 SEASON: Played in all 12 games as the Tigers’ place kicker ... made seven of eight field goal attempts ... also converted 53 of 56 conversion tries ... Tigers’ second-leading scorer with 74 points ... averaged 57.6 yards per kickoff ... made 87.5 percent of his field goal tries but didn’t have enough attempts to qualify for NCAA FCS leaders ...  made final five field goal tries ... kicked a 36-yard field goal in win over Villanova ... made one of two field goal tries at Maryland ... connected on a 23-yard field goal against the Terps but missed a 24-yard kick just before halftime when Tigers had to hurry on field because they didn’t have any timeouts left ... booted game-winning 27-yard field goal on final play of Tigers’ 31-28 win over Richmond ... played key role in 39-35 win at Old Dominion ... kicked a career long 47-yard field goal at ODU and executed a perfect onsides kick with 3:07 left, enabling Tigers to score winning touchdown ... kicked 19-yard field goal with 2:04 left to clinch Tigers’ 38-27 win at William and Mary ... booted a 28-yard field goal against Delaware ... did not attempt a field goal in Tigers’ final three regular season games ... kicked a 45-yard field goal in first quarter of FCS playoff game against Lehigh.

2010 SEASON: Appeared in all 11 games as the Tigers’ punter ... punted 54 times for a 33.5 average ... had good hang time as 24 punts went for fair catches ... opponents averaged only 3.5 yards per punt return ... placed four punts inside opponents’ 20-yard line ... punted ten times for a 29.5 average at Delaware as five were not returned and went for fair catches ... had career long 53-yard punt against the Blue Hens ... also had a 53-yard punt at Richmond ... punted three times for a 40.7 average in college debut at Indiana ... had seven punts for a 37.9 average at Villanova with four fair catches ... had three punts for a 36.0 average against #7 James Madison.

AT CYPRESS BAY H.S.: All-Area punter and place kicker for Coach Mark Guandolo ... helped the Lightning reach the regional semi-finals as a junior with a 10-2 record ... top  scorer for the Lightning as a senior with 63 points, making  seven of eight field goal attempts as a senior ... converted 42 of 44 extra points ... very effective on kickoffs, placing 80% in end zone for touchbacks ... also punted for a 40.0 average ... also competed for soccer team and track team ... honor roll student ... member of the Business Professionals of America.

PERSONAL: Has four sisters ... parents are both graduates of the University of Florida ... lists father as person he admires most ... avid fan of the Miami Dolphins ... favorite NFL player is Troy Aikman ... lists Will Ferrell as his favorite actor ... enjoys music by John Mayer ... favorite athlete is Michael Jordan ... lists “The Replacements” as his favorite movie ... has coached Pop Warner football ... favorite meal is steak and potatoes ... first name is Derek but goes by D.J. ... father is a dentist ... son of Richard and Phyllis Soven ... born on May 29, 1992 in Plantation, Fla. ... major is business administration.