Defending America East Men's Soccer Champion Northeastern University has been ranked No. 26 by College Soccer News in its preseason national rankings.
The Huskies won their first America East Men's Soccer Championship a year ago and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. Northeastern's first trip to the NCAA's proved successful as the Huskies won a 2-1 penalty kick (7-6) decision at Lehigh in the first round. Northeastern then dropped a 2-1 decision to Boston College in the round of 32.
America East Player of the Year Atha Kirkopoulos, senior Oumar Thiam, junior Michael Cipriano and sophomore goalkeeper Sergio Saccaccio, the 2002 America East Rookie of the Year, are four of 10 returning starters for America East Coach of the Year Ed Matz.