BOSTON – Following the first weekend of #AEMSOC action, five teams remain unbeaten including impressive performances from Vermont and Bryant, who have yet to concede a goal this season.
The #12 Catamounts overcame soggy conditions to shut out Western Michigan 2-0, who were receiving votes nationally to start the year. The Bulldogs started their season 2-0 for the first time in their 15 years at the Division I level, shutting out Central Connecticut St. and Fairfield by matching 1-0 scores. UMBC started its season with a 4-3 victory over George Mason, while #23 New Hampshire went 1-0-1 and UMass Lowell was 0-0-1.
This week of action starts with a few big contests on Monday evening. Binghamton travels north to #1 Syracuse for a battle with the defending national champions, while #12 Vermont goes on the road to face #22 Akron. UMBC and UMass Lowell look to stay unbeaten as they play Old Dominion and Northeastern respectively.
The Wildcats travel to face William & Mary on Thursday, while NJIT and Bryant are also in action. Vermont highlights Friday’s action with a contest against #20 Cornell, while Binghamton seeks for its first win at Colgate.
2023 #AEMSOC Weekly Award Winners – Aug. 28
Offensive Player of the Week
Taylor Calheira, UMBC – Sr., Forward, Towson, Md.
- Netted second career hat trick in wild 4-3 win over George Mason.
- Scored twice in a span of 25 seconds and converted a penalty kick in the 62nd minute with the score tied 3-3 to provide the eventual game-winner.
- Second career #AEMSOC Offensive Player of the Week honor.
Defensive Player of the Week
Abdel Talabi, Bryant – Sr., Defense, Brewster, Mass.
- Tallied the game-winning goal in 1-0 victory over Central Connecticut.
- Helped anchor Bryant defense to a pair of 1-0 shutout victories while allowing just three total shots on goal.
- First career #AEMSOC Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Nick Lockermann, Vermont – Fr., Defense, Nuremberg, Germany
- Started in the back line for Vermont in 2-0 shutout of Western Michigan, who is receiving votes nationally.
- Tallied two shots and played all 90 minutes in the Catamounts’ victory.
- First career #AEMSOC Rookie of the Week honor.
2023 #AEMSOC Weekly Award Winners
Aug. 28 – Offensive Player of the Week: Taylor Calheira, UMBC; Defensive Player of the Week: Abdel Talabi, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Nick Lockermann, Vermont
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.
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.
- Building the Complete Student-Athlete –