Jerry Tortella broke two goal-scoring records and was a three-time All-AMCC choice for the Behrend men’s soccer team from 2006-10. As a sophomore, he started all 22 games and broke the single-season scoring mark with 17 goals for a career-high 36 points. Sidelined due to injury the following year, Tortella posted six goals and five assists in his junior season to earn Second Team All-AMCC honors. As a senior captain, he tallied his third All-AMCC accolades and broke the program record for career goals with a total of 33. He led the Lions to an AMCC and ECAC Championship.
Tortella was a goal scorer and relentless worker both defensively and off the ball. After contributing four goals and one assist in his freshman year, he exploded for a career-best season with 17 goals and two assists for 36 points. Tortella broke the record for most goals scored in a season and was named to the All-AMCC First Team, while leading the Lions to the AMCC Championship. He propelled Behrend into the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He scored the game-winning goal in the 69th minute off an assist from Mike Seth for a 1-0 win against Washington & Jefferson.
Tortella was sidelined due to injury in what would have been his third year with the Lions. He bounced back the following year to register six goals and five assists for 17 points as a junior. Tortella started 23 out of 25 games, scored two game-winning goals and earned post-season accolades on the All-AMCC Second Team. He scored the first goal in a 2-1 win over Neumann to help the Lions advance in the ECAC Tournament. The Lions went on to capture their first and only ECAC Championship with a 2-0 win over Wesley on November 15, 2009.
In his senior year, Tortella led the AMCC with eight assists while adding six goals to break the school record for career goals and points. The captain was once again named to the All-AMCC First Team and helped Behrend advance to the ECAC Tournament for a second straight season. Tortella graduated with 33 career goals and 16 assists for 82 points. He currently is fourth all-time in points, fourth in goals and fifth in assists.