Men’s Soccer Selected to Finish Sixth in Conference Standings

2014 Commonwealth Coast Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) released their 2014 men's soccer preseason poll Tuesday morning and Endicott has been selected to finish sixth with 51 total points. Last season's NCAA tournament representatives Gordon, Western New England and Roger Williams took the first three slots with the Fighting Scots earning six first place votes for a total of 93. Nichols (70) and Salve Regina (66) took the fourth and fifth spots coming in right before the Gulls.

Wrapping up the remaining four are Curry (36), Wentworth (31), University of New England (25) and Eastern Nazarene (14).

Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the league's head men's soccer coaches.

The Endicott men's soccer team will look to continue their team's success for the upcoming 2014 season. In 2013 the Blue and Green went 9-10 (4-5 CCC) while advancing to the CCC quarterfinals for the fourth straight season. Under the leadership of fourth year Head Coach Joe Calabrese the program will look to improve their success for the 2014 season.

In 2013 the CCC was one of the strongest conferences in the country sending three members to the NCAA Tournament and being notched in the national rankings. The Gulls will look to compete in the tough conference while also playing their strongest schedule in program history that houses two NESCAC opponents and national tournament contenders.

"Our expectations for the 2014 season are realistic and simple. As a program we want to establish ourselves as a top four program in the highly competitive CCC conference. It's a priority of ours to host a CCC playoff game and advance to the CCC semifinals for the first time since 2005" said Calabrese.

In order to accomplish these team goals the Gulls will welcome back senior captain Jed Magnusson to control the backfield while junior and last year's leader in goals (8) and points (20), Abdulla Al Khalifa will look to control the attack. Taking a step back from the striker position and using his athletic abilities between the pipes will be senior Alex Jorge who will look forward to his new home in the net for the Blue and Green in 2014.

Helping Al Khalifa on the attack as outside wingers will be junior Zach Rizzo and freshman Brendan McLaughlin. "Zach is a tough winger who has the ability to beat outside defenders with the dribble due to his excellent balance and shiftiness.  Brendan McLaughlin is a product of the USSF Oakwood Academy team. He'll be able to play numerous positions for the Gulls because of his tactical acumen and his composure in possession of the ball" says Calabrese.  

Coach Calabrese is eager to launch a new look for the central midfield that will debut a strong group of newcomers including Ohio Northern transfer Shintaroh Itoh and freshman Connor Couchot, who was a member of the No.1 ranked high school program in the country last year, Mason High School.

Working with Magnusson and Jorge on the veteran defensive end will be in the hands of key returners in juniors Kyle Biseglia, and Spencer Fletcher along with the introduction of Finn Cohane and University of Tampa transfer Carter Ocko who will look to control the center back position.

The squad has a deep goalkeeping roster as freshman's Manuel Sucre and Adam Legg will all see time in the net in a supporting role to Jorge.

Coach Calabrese is excited for his talented mix of transfers and freshman to blend with his veteran group of returners saying, "We're happy with the depth and quality of this year's recruiting class. Many of our needs at specific positions were addressed with this class. Our newcomers are continually meshing and developing chemistry with the returners on the playing field. The season is a long journey and we 'll look to peak as a team at the right moments."

Endicott will start their season on August 29^th and 30^th as they host Husson, Skidmore and Montclair State for their annual Gull Invitational which will prepare them for their non-conference opponents in Williams, Bowdoin, Salem State, Saint Joseph's (Maine), Rivier and UMass. Dartmouth. Housing these strong regional opponents will only prepare the Blue and Green for the stacked conference play with Gordon, Western New England and Roger Williams.