BOSTON – Recently five soccer student-athletes from four different programs were honored as Players to Watch by United Soccer Coaches, four from #AEMSOC and Alivia Kelly of #AEWSOC. On the men’s side, Eli Goldman, Yannick Bright, Taylor Calheira and Zach Barrett were recognized.
Kelly was the lone #AEWSOC honoree and last year was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team after starting all 18 matches as the leader of UNH's back line. The Wildcats ranked second in the America East conference in goals-against average defense (1.17 GAA) and took home the conferendce title in penalty kicks.
Goldman earned 2022 Second Team All-Northeast Region honors for New Hampshire and achieved First Team All-Conference accolades as he led the team with nine goals and 19 points. He was named to the America East All-Tournament Team as the Wildcats won the championship. Also in 2022, Goldman was on the America East All-Academic Team and Academic All-District Team.
Bright is a two-time All-American for UNH, earning 2021 First Team accolades and 2022 Third Team honors. He was named the America East Midfielder of the Year in 2021 and 2022, while he was also selected to the First Team All-Northeast in 2021 and 2022. Bright was a 2021 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist. Last season he was named the America East Men's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year.
UMBC’s Calheira was honored as the 2022 #AEMSOC Striker of the Year after finishing the year tied fifth nationally with 1.71 points per game as he totaled 11 goals and seven assists for 29 points. He was a Second Team All-Region pick a season ago and is a two-first first-team all-conference selection as well.
Barrett helped lead UVM to its first NCAA Quarterfinal appearance in 30 years and was a United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Region honoree and twice has been named All-Conference. He also helped the Catamounts ranked ninth in GAA last year at 0.720.
The America East is one of the best men’s soccer conferences in the country. The conference has received multiple bids to the NCAA tournament in four of the past eight seasons, with Vermont and New Hampshire reaching each of the past two years. Overall, four different teams have reached the third round of the NCAA tournament since 2014, highlighted by UMBC getting all the way to the College Cup in 2014.
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.
- Building the Complete Student-Athlete –