BOSTON – Fresh off the program’s sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, New Hampshire edged nationally ranked Vermont in the 2023 America East Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll. The poll was released on Wednesday afternoon and was voted upon by the league’s head coaches.
The Wildcats and Catamounts were separated by a single point with UNH earning four first place votes and UVM securing the remaining three. Both programs were ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll released last week, with Vermont in 12th and New Hampshire at 23. UAlbany and UMBC tied for third in the poll with 34 points apiece, while NJIT (19), Binghamton (18) and Bryant (17) were separated by two points. UMass Lowell took eighth with 11 points.
Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll
| Pl. |
School |
Points (1st) |
| 1. |
New Hampshire |
46 (4) |
| 2. |
Vermont |
45 (3) |
| T-3. |
UAlbany |
34 (1) |
| T-3. |
UMBC |
34 |
| 5. |
NJIT |
19 |
| 6. |
Binghamton |
18 |
| 7. |
Bryant |
17 |
| 8 |
UMass Lowell |
11 |
What to Watch For:
- The Wildcats brought in 15 new players for 2023-24, but do return Midfielder of the Year Yannick Bright and All-Region selection Eli Goldman, who led the team with 19 points on nine goals and one assist.
- Vermont will be led by a pair 2022 All-Region selections in defender Zach Barrett and striker Max Murray, who finished second on the team with 25 points.
- UMBC boasts the return to 2022 Striker of the Year Taylor Calheira and All-Region honoree Hans Nesheim.
- Anthony Adams takes over at UMBC for Pete Caringi, Jr., who retired following his 31st season leading UMBC. Ruben Resendes, meanwhile, takes over at Bryant as he looks to lead the Bulldogs to the playoffs for the first time.
- UAlbany reached the title game a season ago and has been selected fourth or better each of the past three years.
- The America East is one of eight conferences with a pair of nationally ranked teams, led by UVM, who advanced all the way to the NCAA Quarterfinals a season ago.
The season begins on Thursday, August 24 with eight teams in action and the ninth competing one day later. UNH travels to VCU, while Vermont hosts Western Michigan. UAlbany also travels to Boston U.
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.
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 -