Falcons Predicted Fourth in Pre-season Predictions

Westfield, Mass. - The Fitchburg State University men's soccer team was tabbed to finish fourth in a pre-season poll conducted by the league's coaches.  State Bears have been picked to win the 2015 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference men's soccer championship as decided by the eight coaches from around the league.

Bridgewater State claimed two of the first place votes for 48 points. Last season, the Bears finished with a 5-1-1 MASCAC record and made a trip to the MASCAC Tournament Championship game. They will look to 2014 MASCAC Player of the Year Conor Murtagh to lead the team. Murtagh led the league in goals (10) and points (22).

Massachusetts Maritime is picked second with three first place votes for 39 points. The Buccaneers were 4-2-1 during the 2014 league schedule. Joe Cohen returns in goal for the team after leading the conference in save percentage (.882), goals against average (0.77) and shutouts (7) plus second in saves (97).

MCLA is next in third with 31 points. The Trailblazers notched a 2-2-3 record during the 2014 MASCAC campaign. Three All- Conference honorees return for MCLA in Dylan Periera, Edward Boateng and Anthony Basile. Basile finished last season second in the conference in goals with nine, points with 20 and shots with 53.

Reigning MASCAC Tournament Champions Fitchburg State nabbed two first place votes for 30 points. The Falcons were 4-3 during the league regular season. Fitchburg State made a run in the MASCAC Tournament last season to earn the title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Framingham State and Worcester State have been picked in fifth and sixth with 29 and 25 points, respectively. The Rams were 3-3-1 during league play last season. Cory Cardeiro is back for the team after tallying eight goals and 19 points. The Lancers, who earned the final first place vote, were 2-4-1 last year during MASCAC play. Second Team All-Conference honoree Joshua Evans returns for the team after leading the conference with six assists during the 2014 season.

Westfield State and Salem State round out the men's soccer poll is seventh and eighth, respectively. The Owls claimed 18 points while the Vikings earned nine. Westfield State tallied two wins during conference play and bring back Zack Horn and Jack Fisher who had three and two goals, respectively. Salem State also earned two wins last season. Kevin Gallo returns for the Vikings after scoring six goals and an assist for 13 points last season.

The Falcons will hit the pitch on Saturday, Sept. 5 as they travel to Roger Williams University for their annual Squad Locker Classic.

COURTESY OF THE MASCAC

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation's oldest Division III men's and women's playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sports of football and men's ice hockey, while Western Connecticut State University joined the conference as an affiliate member in football beginning in 2013.

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