MASCAC Pre-Season Men's Soccer Poll Announced

WESTFIELD, Mass. — Fitchburg State took the #7 spot in a pre-season poll of head men's soccer coaches in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). For the third straight season, Bridgewater State has been picked to win the 2016 MASCAC men's soccer championship.

The 2015 MASCAC tournament champion Bears claimed four of the first place votes for 44 points. The Bears look to Felipe Gomes to lead the team after finishing in the top five in the MASCAC in goals (8), assists (6), points (22) and shots (66). All-Conference honoree Colin Jepson also returns in goals after leading the league in goals against average (0.84), second in save percentage (.826) and fourth in saves (90).

Framingham State is next in second with 39 points and two first place votes. Tied for third with 31 points and one of the first place votes each are MCLA and Westfield State. Massachusetts Maritime and Worcester State claim the fifth and sixth spots with 30 and 26 points, respectively.

Closing out the 2016 poll are Fitchburg State and Salem State in seventh and eighth with 15 points and 8 points, respectively. The Falcons had two wins last season while the Vikings finished with one. Jared Burns led Fitchburg State last season with seven goals and three assists for 17 points. For Salem State, Kevin Gallo had the most goals during the season with five.

The season begins for the MASCAC men's soccer squads with non-conference play the week of August 29.

2016 MASCAC Men's Soccer Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)