NEC Releases Men's Soccer Poll
The Blue Devils were regular season tri-champions in 2011.
The Central Connecticut men's soccer team was selected to finish seventh in the annual preseason poll of Northeast Conference coaches. The Blue Devils finished last season in a three-way tie for the Northeast Conference regular season title.
Monmouth earned the top-spot in the preseason poll, followed by Fairleigh Dickinson, Saint Francis (PA) and Sacred Heart. The top four teams all received at least one first place vote. Monmouth grabbed seven first place nods, Fairleigh Dickinson two, Saint Francis (PA) one and Sacred Heart one.
The Blue Devils were picked right behind St. Francis (NY) and Mount St. Mary's, which occupied the fifth and sixth spots. Quinnipiac, LIU Brooklyn, Robert Morris and Bryant occupied the final four spots of the poll.
Now in his 28th year, head coach Shaun Green led the Blue Devils to a 10-8-1 (7-3 NEC) record and earned NEC Coach of the Year honors following the 2011 season. He returns a strong core of players that will help the team look for continued success this season.
Seniors Reece Wilson, Mamoudou Dioubate, and Thomas Obasi all return for 2012 after earning All-NEC honors a year ago. Senior goalkeeper Anthony Occhialini is also back after posting a .795 save percentage and a record of 10-6 in goal.
The Blue Devils will play their first preseason scrimmage against Southern Connecticut on Wednesday, August 22nd at 7 p.m. A second scrimmage will be played against Monroe College on August 26th, that will also be at 7 p.m. The regular season will begin on Friday, August 31st at 7 p.m. as the Blue Devils host Yale on the new CCSU Soccer Field.
