Senior forward Drew Montano has led Stonehill in scoring in each of the past three seasons. |
Skyhawks looking to build on successful 2014 campaign
NE-10 Preseason Coaches' Poll Announcement
EASTON, Mass. (August 24, 2015) – With the start of the 2015 regular season less than two weeks away, the Northeast-10 Conference has released its Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll. Coming off its most successful campaign in 20 years, Stonehill College has been picked seventh in the 14-team league with a total of 98 points.
Three-time defending NE-10 champion Southern New Hampshire University has been selected as the favorite, garnering 169 points and 13 of the 14 first-place votes, while 2014 runner-up Southern Connecticut State University was picked second with 154 points and the remaining first-place tally. Merrimack College (140 points), Adelphi University (137) and Le Moyne College (114) landed in spots 3-5, and Franklin Pierce University edged Stonehill for sixth place with 106 points. Bentley University (79), American International College (74) and Saint Michael's College (57) round out the top-10 in the poll.
The Skyhawks defeated both of the teams picked directly ahead of them, Franklin Pierce and Le Moyne, by matching 3-2 scores last fall. Stonehill scored three unanswered goals in its first-ever victory over the Ravens on October 8th, before accomplishing the same feat three weeks later in a thrilling Senior Day triumph against the Dolphins.
Stonehill will be looking to build on a 2014 season in which it posted a record of 11-6-1, the most victories for the program since 1993, including nine wins in conference play, a new program record. The Skyhawks, who were picked eleventh in last season's Coaches' Poll, finished fourth in the league standings and hosted an NE-10 Tournament match for the first time since 1994. Head coach Jim Reddish, who is entering his eighth season at the helm of his alma mater this fall, was recognized as NE-10 Coach of the Year for the first time in his career following the season.
Senior goalkeeper Luke Besse posted three shutouts in 2014. |
Stonehill returns seven starters from last year's squad, including senior forward Drew Montano (Avon, Connecticut/Avon), a National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Continental Tire All-East Region third team and All-NE-10 second team selection, and sophomore midfielder Connor O'Brien (Schenectady, New York/Guilderland Central), an NE-10 All-Rookie team pick.
Montano, who ranked tied for sixth in the conference in 2014 with 19 points on seven goals and five assists, was one of four Skyhawks to start all 18 matches, and his three game-winning goals were tied for the most in the NE-10. O'Brien recorded 12 points on five goals and two assists during his freshman campaign while starting the final eight matches of the season.
Senior Evan Devanny (Concord, New Hampshire/Concord), junior Patrick Keogh (Garden City, New York/Garden City) and sophomore Matthew Gallo (Mendham, New Jersey/West Morris Mendham) will be counted on to anchor the Stonehill defense, while senior goalkeeper Luke Besse (Hamilton, Massachusetts/Hamilton-Wenham Regional) returns after starting 11 matches and posting three shutouts last fall.
The Skyhawks open their 2015 campaign on Friday, September 4th at 4 p.m. against Saint Michael's in the Catholic Cup, hosted by Assumption College at Multi-Sport Stadium. Stonehill plays its first four matches on the road before returning home to Skyhawk Field on Tuesday, September 15th, when it will open NE-10 play at 4 p.m. against the College of Saint Rose.
2015 Northeast-10 Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. So. New Hampshire - 169 (13)
2. So. Connecticut - 154 (1)
3. Merrimack - 140
4. Adelphi - 137
5. Le Moyne - 114
6. Franklin Pierce - 106
7. Stonehill - 98
8. Bentley - 79
9. American Int'l - 74
10. Saint Michael's - 57
11. Assumption - 54
12. Saint Rose - 41
13. Saint Anselm - 27
14. New Haven – 24
(#) – indicates first-place votes
