Aug. 20, 2009

NE-10 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

The UMass Lowell men's soccer team, which opened preseason workouts Wednesday, was selected to finish third in the Northeast-10 Conference 2009 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, released Thursday.

The River Hawks (13-4-4, 9-1-3 in the NE-10), fresh off one of their most successful seasons in program history, garnered four first-place votes and 172 points as Southern New Hampshire (15-3-4, 9-1-3) was tabbed first with six first-place votes and 188 points; and Franklin Pierce (13-8-2, 9-3-1), picked second with one first-place vote and 174 points.

All three rivals were ranked in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II Preseason Poll, released Monday, with UMass Lowell leading the way at No. 8, Southern New Hampshire at No. 11 and Franklin Pierce at No. 16.

"Top to bottom, I think the Northeast-10 Conference is the most competitive league in the country," said first-year head coach Bryan Scales. "The fact that the numbers in this poll are so close certainly reflects that. We don't anticipate any easy matches this season, but we will be extremely prepared for each one."

Le Moyne (13-6-3, 9-3-1) was selected fourth in front of Southern Connecticut (6-7-5, 5-3-5, one first-place vote), Merrimack (10-4-4, 7-4-2) and Bentley (8-9-2, 5-6-2).

Fresh off one of its most successful seasons in school history, the River Hawks peaked over the second half of the season, going unbeaten in 11 of 12 matches (10-1-1) before falling to Dowling (1-0) in double overtime in the NCAA Tournament East Region Championship/NCAA Quarterfinal.

UMass Lowell opens the season against No. 2 Dowling Wednesday, Sept. 2 (4:00) at Cushing Field.

UMass Lowell returns 16 players and six starters from the 2008 team, including two-time NE-10 all-star goalkeeper Ryan Richards (Holden, MA), a senior who sported a 1.11 goals against average and six shutouts over 2,022 minutes in 2008.

Richards will lead a defense which includes All-NE-10 senior Rudy Kocandrle (Northboro, MA) along with seniors Mike Galvin (Brockton, MA), Corey Samuelson (Westboro, MA) and sophomore Asley Barrios (Revere, MA).

Anchoring the midfield will be senior Jhony Valencia (Lowell, MA) and sophomore Matheus Candido (Lowell, MA).

Up front, junior Stephen Potcner (Wilmington, MA), who ranked among NE-10 scoring leaders with nine goals and six assists, returns alongside senior Jeffery Danso (Worcester, MA), who chipped in five goals and five assists.

Following the season-opener against Dowling, the River Hawks host Dominican Sept. 9 (7:00) and open NE-10 play against New Haven Saturday, Sept. 12 (1:00) at Cushing Field.