FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University men's soccer team opens their season at home against Holy Cross on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
 
LOOKING BACK
Following two-consecutive postseason berths in the Northeast Conference (NEC) tournaments, the Pioneers enter a new era of men's soccer at SHU, making the jump to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). The Pioneers posted a record season in 2023 as they advanced to the NEC final for the first time ever.
 
Last season, the Pios finished the 2023 campaign with a 6-8-5 record under second year head coach Anthony Anzevui. 
 
SHU battled through penalty kicks during the 2023 NEC Tournament run. The Pios defeated Merrimack in the quarterfinal 1-1 (5-4 PKs) then defeated the undefeated Saint Francis University in the semifinal 1-1 (5-3 PKs). The Pioneers battle ended on Long Island as they were defeated by the Sharks, 0-1, in the finals. 
 
Two returners collected all-conference recognition. David Garcia Gallego was named to the NEC All-Second Team and Alex Almuzara was named to the NEC All-Rookie Team.
 
ON HOLY CROSS
Junior midfielder Ethan Gill and senior forward Evan Jones, members of the Holy Cross men's soccer squad, were selected to the 2024 preseason All-Patriot League Team.
 
Gill earned second team All-Patriot League honors in 2023, after playing in 17 games with 16 starts and tying for the team-lead in scoring with 13 points on five goals and three assists. 
 
A second team All-Patriot League selection in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Jones started all 18 of Holy Cross' games last year and tied for first on the squad in scoring with 13 points on five goals and three assists.
 
Matt Brown was announced as the Crusader's new head coach on June 17. Brown most recently served as the head coach at Union College for two years in 2022 and 2023. During the 2023 campaign, he guided the Garnet Chargers to an overall record of 8-6-5 and a 5-2-2 mark in the Liberty League, good for their most wins in conference play in over a decade.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Pioneers last faced the Crusaders Sept. 1, 2024, resulting in a 1-0 loss for the Pios.
 
SHU has tallied eight wins and eight losses against the Crusaders since 2004 and has a 5-3 home advantage.
 
FRESH FACES
The Pioneers welcome 11 new members with four forwards, three midfielders, two defenders and one goalkeeper.
 
Transfer forward Sam McCann comes from Quinnipiac and was member of the All-MAAC Rookie Team and played in 14 games and recorded 12 points (4 goals, 4 assists) in 2021. He scored six goals over 18 games in 2022 for the Bobcats.
 
Graduate midfielder Pablo Alcoba comes from Las Rozas CF in Spain where he scored 13 goals during his last three years as a defender while starting in 88 games.
 
CAPTAINS
Graduate Aidan Borra, graduate Will Pearce and junior David Garcia Gallego were named the 2024 team captains. 
 
Borra, a Saint John's transfer, appeared in 18 games and made 16 starts for SHU in 2023. The midfielder secured two goals, one being the lone goal in the NEC Quarterfinal to take the match to PKs.
 
Battling through injuries his senior year, Pearce, a defender, returns after appearing in 12 games for the Pios starting in 11.
 
Garcia Gallego was named to the All-NEC Second Team his sophomore year. The Leon, Spain, native started all 19 regular season games leading the team in points with 12, tallying four goals and four assists.