Northeast Conference Announces Preseason Men's Soccer Poll
Central opens the 2018 season against Seton Hall on August 28.
The Northeast Conference announced its Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll on Tuesday. Central Connecticut was tabbed fifth in the poll and will open its season at home against Seton Hall on Tuesday, August 28.
Head coach Shaun Green returns to lead the Blue Devils for his 34th season. The Blue Devils will be led by the return of graduate student Carson D'Ambrosio and senior Louis Beddouri. D'Ambrosio appeared in 14 games, including 10 starts, between the goalposts last season. He has posted a pair of shutouts and stopped almost 74 percent of shots faced in his career. Beddouri is the leading scorer to return for CCSU after earning Second Team All-NEC honors. He ranked second on the team with five assists to go with two goals for a total of nine points. He started all 17 games as a junior for the Central front line. Also returning will be sophomore Sean Gannon, who earned NEC All-Rookie recognition.
Two-time defending champion St. Francis Brooklyn was tabbed as the unanimous preseason favorite, collecting eight first-place votes. Runner-up LIU Brooklyn was picked second, while Fairleigh Dickinson and Saint Francis U were chosen third and fourth, respectively.
Central will open the 2018 season at home on Tuesday, August 28, against Seton Hall. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at CCSU Soccer Field.
The Northeast Conference tournament will take place on November 9 and 11. All games of the 2018 NEC Men's Soccer Tournament will be broadcast live on NEC Front Row. The top four finishers, based on winning percentage during the league's regular season will qualify for the tournament. The high seed will host the entire event.