Aug. 25, 2004

Watford, U.K.- After just two games with the reserves squad of the Coca-Cola English League Championship team Watford, former University of Illinois at Chicago defender Jay DeMerit made his professional soccer debut with the Watford Football Club in the Hornets' 1-0 win over Cambridge United in the first round of the Carling Cup. DeMerit didn't disappoint at the "centre back" spot, helping Watford keep Cambridge scoreless while making aggressive plays on the ball. While Watford head man Ray Lewington was not too pleased with his team's performance, Lewington singled out DeMerit's effort in the 24-year-old rookie's first-ever match. "I liked Jay the first time I saw him play, for Northwood against us in July," Lewington told watfordfc.com. "He's got all the natural qualities to be a decent centre-half at this level." DeMerit and the Hornets will be back in action against Plymouth on August 28th.