BOSTON – Coming off another season in which multiple America East men’s soccer teams reached the NCAA tournament, the conference is poised to be as competitive as any in the country once again. Fresh off of its fifth-straight NCAA tournament appearance, New Hampshire is the unanimous choice atop the 2022 America East Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Wildcats were followed closely by reigning league champion Vermont, which earned the final first place tally.
The coaches’ poll, which was announced Tuesday morning, was voted on by the league's head coaches, who could not vote for their own team.
The Wildcats, who are ranked ninth in the United Soccer Coaches’ Preseason Poll, earned all seven possible first-place votes for a maximum total of 49 points. UNH, which set a program record with 17 wins last year reached the third round of the NCAA tournament for the second time in five seasons. Vermont, who earned a vote in the national preseason poll, upended UNH in the league title game a year ago to win the conference crown and earn an NCAA bid. The Catamounts earned a first-place vote and 38 points, followed by UMBC (35 points) in third and UAlbany (35) in fourth. Check out the full poll:
What to Watch For
- UNH returns several key pieces from last year’s teams including America East Striker of the Year Tola Showunmi and Midfielder of the Year Yannick Bright. Also back is goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat.
- Vermont returns eight of its nine All-Conference choices from last season, including Goalkeeper of the Year Nate Silveria and first-teamer Alex Nagy.
- Koleilat and Silveria are two of just six goalkeepers named Goalkeepers to Watch by the United Soccer Coaches Association on Aug. 5.
- Pete Caringi, Jr. is back for his 31st year leading UMBC. The Retrievers will be led by veteran Taylor Calheira, a first team All-America East selection last year after his 23-point season.
- UMass Lowell is the lone program with a first-year head coach as Kyle Zenoni takes over the River Hawk program after serving as an assistant at Milwaukee.
- Bryant begins its first season in America East. The Bulldogs placed fifth in the NEC a year ago and reached the league’s semifinals.
The season begins on Thursday, Aug. 25 with seven teams in action, highlights by #9 UNH visiting #20 Maryland in a marquis matchup. America East teams will play eight games against teams that reached the NCAA tournament last year during non-conference play. The 28-game conference slate begins Saturday, Sept. 24 and concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Full schedule
The 2022 #AEMSOC championship will consist of the league’s top six teams and begins with the quarterfinals scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5. The higher seed will host each game throughout the postseason.
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.
America East is one of the best men’s soccer conferences in the country. Three 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.
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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