Men's Soccer Voted Fourth In NECC Preseason Poll
Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Elms College men's soccer team was voted to finish fourth in the 2017 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll, announced by the conference office Friday afternoon. The Blazers received 33 total points, sitting two points back of third-place Lesley University.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Mike Wysocki, the Blazers are returning 13 players, including nine starters, from a 2016 NECC semi-finalist squad but will look to fill the boots of departed 2016 NECC Player of the Year Donald Whittle. Senior C.J. Dabkowski (Bristol, Conn.) claimed First Team All-NECC honors last season after posting a career-high 14 points with four goals and a team-high six assists, while junior Colby Macdonald (Bristol, Conn.) earned Second Team All-NECC last season to pair with a Third Team selection after his freshman campaign.
The Blazers kick off the 2017 season with a non-conference road trip to Fitchburg State on Saturday, September 2nd at 3:00 p.m.
Newbury College wins a tight race in the NECC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Nighthawks earn top honors with 41 points and four of the first place votes.
The Nighthawks will look to build on their NECC Semifinal experience a season ago as they return six starters including the reigning NECC Rookie of the Year, Nilton De Andrade. Newbury will have a void to fill, as they are without three All-NECC selections from the 2016 season.
Finishing second in the polls, with one first place nod and 39 points was Mitchell College. The Mariners return seven of their starters from 2016, highlighted by four All-NECC selections. They hope to use an experienced defense to contend for the NECC Title.
The final two first place votes went to Lesley University with 35 points. The Lynx are returning 16 of their players from a season ago and hope to build on their playoff experience from 2016. Lesley will look to senior forward Nuno Pereira for a presence on offense as he led the team in goals last season.
Landing fifth with 26 points was Southern Vermont College Mountaineers. SVC will look for a fresh start as they have 18 newcomers to the program this fall.
Closing out the polls in sixth place was Becker College with 15 points, while Wheelock College finished seventh collecting seven points.
NECC teams will begin their seasons with nonconference matchups on Friday, September 1st. Conference matchups will begin for all teams on Saturday, September 23rd.
2017 NECC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Newbury - 41 (4)
2. Mitchell - 39 (1)
3. Lesley - 35 (2)
4. Elms - 33
5. Southern Vermont - 26
6. Becker - 15
7. Wheelock - 7
ELMS SOCCER
