BOSTON – Bryant and UMBC are still unbeaten following strong weeks, while seven programs overall secured wins last week in non-conference action. The Bulldogs shut out Merrimack 2-0 on the road while UMBC went 2-0-1 to stay without a loss.
#19 New Hampshire dropped a tough 1-0 decision to Cornell yesterday, after its 4-2 win at William and Mary on Thursday, while #22 UVM rebounded from a tough 1-0 loss at Akron to take down Cornell (1-0) and Colgate (2-0) this week. UMass Lowell, NJIT and UAlbany also earned wins last week as six programs currently hold a .500 or better record.
This week is busy again, highlighted by the Wildcats traveling south to face #7 FIU on Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+, while #22 Vermont hosts Lehigh on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. Bryant looks to stay perfect (3-0) with road contests against Holy Cross and Iona. UMBC puts its 3-0-1 record to the test with a contest at home against Fordham.
The preseason poll was announced on August 9
2023 #AEMSOC Weekly Award Winners – Sept. 5
Offensive Player of the Week
Goncalo Franco, NJIT – Jr., Midfield, Lisbon, Portugal
- Scored a brace in NJIT's 4-1 home-opening win over Villanova on Thursday.
- Tallied the equalizer in the sixth minute on a blast from outside the box and netted the eventual game winner in the 33rd minute.
- This is Franco’s first career #AEMSOC Offensive Player of the Week honor.
Defensive Player of the Week
Owen Jack, Vermont – RS-Sr., Goalkeeper, Cape Coral, Fla.
- Recorded two shutouts in a 2-1 week with a .875 save percentage.
- Made five saves against RV Cornell, including a breakaway save in the 88' to keep Vermont up 1-0 and one save in a shutout of Colgate.
- Stopped one shot in a 1-0 defeat at No. 21 Akron.
- This is Jack’s first career #AEMSOC Defensive Player of the Week honor
Rookie of the Week
Daniele Mastroianni, UMass Lowell – Fr., Forward, Montréal, Quebec
- Scored both goals, including his first career goal, in 2-1 win over Northeastern.
- Totaled over 100 minutes of action in a 1-1 week for the River Hawks.
- 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: Talabi Abdel, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Nick Lockermann, Vermont
Sept. 5 – Offensive Player of the Week: Goncalo Franco, NJIT; Defensive Player of the Week: Owen Jack, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Daniele Mastroianni, UMass Lowell
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 –