MANSFIELD, Mass. - The two-time defending national champion and preseason No. 1 team in the country, Franklin Pierce men's soccer has now also been selected as the preseason favorite to repeat as NE10 champion in 2024. The Ravens earned nine of 10 first place votes in the conference poll, selected by the league's coaches.
Franklin Pierce enters the season riding a 56-match unbeaten streak, defeating Colorado State Pueblo in the NCAA finals each of the last two seasons. The Ravens return goalkeeper Karl Vernet, who shined while battling back from injury in the NCAA Tournament en route to a spot on the All-Championship Team. Antonio Lima, the NCAA Championship's Most Outstanding Offensive Player, also returns this fall after scoring 10 goals in 2023.
Southern New Hampshire, the NE10 Championship runner-up in 2023, earned the lone first place vote that didn't go to Franklin Pierce. The Penmen returned to the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2016 last season, falling in the opening round to Bloomsburg.
While SNHU received a first-place vote, the Adelphi Panthers eanred the second spot in the poll, locking up two more votes than the Penmen. AU went 5-5 in conference action last season after appearing in the NCAA's in 2022, advancing to the second round.
The Southern Connecticut State Owls, one of the most historically successful teams in NCAA Division II, round out the NE10's preseason top four. The Owls are coached by former SCSU standout Kevin Anderson, in his second season, and return Devin Juan in goal as one of the nation's top stoppers from 2023.
NE10 Preseason Soccer Coaches Poll
| 1 |
Franklin Pierce Ravens |
81 (9) |
| 2 |
Adelphi Panthers |
67 |
| 3 |
SNHU Penmen |
65 (1) |
| 4 |
Southern Connecitcut Owls |
59 |
| 5 |
Bentley Falcons |
47 |
| T6 |
New Haven Chargers |
34 |
| T6 |
Saint Anselm Hawks |
34 |
| 8 |
Saint Michael's Purple Knights |
23 |
| T9 |
American Int'l Yellow Jackets |
20 |
| T9 |
Assumption Greyhounds |
20 |
The NE10 men's soccer season begins in September, with the league's championship being decided at the highest remain seed on November 16th.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 11 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.