BOSTON – The 2022 #AEMSOC season got underway over the weekend as all eight programs competed and four came away with victories. NJIT led the way with a 1-0-1 mark, highlighted by a win over James Madison while UMBC lit up the scoreboard in an 8-2 victory over Fairfield.
Over the next week, there will be 17 more non-conference contests, including four on AETV and five more on ESPN+, highlighted by Vermont hosting Syracuse at 7 PM on Sept. 2 and then traveling to face reigning Ivy League champion Princeton on Sept. 5.
The preseason poll was announced on August 9.
2022 #AEMSOC Weekly Award Winners – Aug. 29
Offensive Player of the Week
Spencer Hanks, UMBC – Jr., Forward, Odenton, Md.
- Registered a hat trick and one assist for seven total points in UMBC’s 8-2 win over Fairfield.
- Helped UMBC rank first in the nation in scoring at 8.0 goals per game.
- This is Hanks’ first Offensive Player of the Week honor. He was named #AEMSOC Rookie of the Week on March 30, 2020.
Defensive Player of the Week
Nate Silveira, Vermont – Gr., Goalkeeper, East Providence, R.I.
- Earned a four-save shutout as UVM beat Merrimack 1-0 to start the season 1-0.
- Anchored one of two #AEMSOC defenses which didn’t allow a goal last week.
- This is Silveira’s fourth #AEMSOC Defensive Player of the Week honor and the third straight season he has been honored.
Rookie of the Week:
Maximus Barboto, NJIT – Fr., Midfielder, Wayne, N.J.
- Dished off game-winning assist in the 51st minute of NJIT’s 1-0 win over James Madison.
- Helped Highlanders earn 2-2 draw with Drexel in first career collegiate contest.
- This is Barboto’s first career #AEMSOC Rookie of the Week honor.
America East is one of the best men’s soccer conferences in the country. Four teams have reached the third round of the NCAA tournament since 2014, including UMBC getting all the way to the College Cup in 2014. The conference has received multiple bids to the NCAA tournament in three of last seven seasons, including in 2021 when both UNH and league champion Vermont received bids.
Fans will once again be able to watch nearly every #AEMSOC contest this season. Select games will air on The AE on ESPN while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
Follow the @AEGameday Twitter account to stay up-to-date on America East men’s soccer news all season long and use #AEMSOC to join the conversation.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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