Men's Soccer Picked as Preseason Favorite in NECC

Men's Soccer Picked as Preseason Favorite in NECC

MANSFIELD, Mass. – Mitchell College topped the 2019 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, collecting 29 points and four first-place votes.

The Mariners, led by fifth-year head coach Damian Houlden, have reached the NECC Championship title game in back-to-back seasons. They return several key contributors, including first team All-NECC performers Christian Urena and William Ferguson. Ferguson netted a career-high five goals last season and shored up a Mitchell defense that allowed only eight goals in conference play. Urena chipped in on the offensive end with two goals and two assists.  

It marked the second consecutive season that the Mariners have been picked as the preseason favorite by the league's head coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams.

New England College finished second in the poll with 26 points and the remaining two first-place votes. Eastern Nazarene College (19 points), Elms College (17 points) and Lesley University (15 points) rounded out the top five.

Mitchell kicks off the season at home against Stevens Institute of Technology on Friday, August 30 at 5 p.m.

2019 NECC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Mitchell College - 29 (4) 
2. New England College - 26 (2) 
3. Eastern Nazarene College - 19 
4. Elms College - 17
5. Lesley University - 15
6. Dean College - 12
7. Becker College - 9