Pioneers Picked Seventh In NEC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
8/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SOMERSET, N.J. – The Sacred Heart men's soccer team has been picked to finish seventh in the Northeast Conference in 2014, as the conference released its men's soccer preseason coaches' poll on Tuesday.
The Pioneers tied for seventh last season with a conference record of 2-5, going 5-13 overall. Sacred Heart returns its top goalscorer from a year ago in junior midfielder Mahmoud Kafel (Fairfield, Conn.), who tallied seven goals and added two assists for a team-high 16 points. Sophomore midfielder Kieran Walsh (River Vale, N.J.) led the Pioneers in assists as a freshman with four. Goalkeeper Tucker Hackett (Madison, Conn.) had two shutouts last season and posted a 2.00 goals against average.
Defending regular-season champions Central Connecticut were picked by the coaches as the team to beat in 2014, garnering three first-place votes. Fairleigh Dickinson and Saint Francis U were both selected second, followed by Bryant. FDU had two first-place votes with Bryant getting one. St. Francis Brooklyn, the defending NEC Tournament champions, had two first-place votes but were picked fifth. Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, and LIU Brooklyn round out the coaches' poll.
Sacred Heart opens its 2014 season on Friday, August 29 at Delaware.
2014 NEC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Central Connecticut (3 first-place votes)
2. Fairleigh Dickinson (2 first-place votes)
2. Saint Francis U
4. Bryant (1 first-place vote)
5. St. Francis Brooklyn (2 first-place votes)
6. Robert Morris
7. Sacred Heart
8. LIU Brooklyn
