MANSFIELD, Mass. – The Southern New Hampshire University men's soccer team was selected second in the NE10 Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday.
In-state rival Franklin Pierce University took the top spot with 10 first-place votes and 100 total points, with SNHU claiming the remaining first-place nod and 78 points to finish in a tie with Adelphi University. Southern Connecticut State (66) was fourth, just ahead of the College of Saint Rose (63) and Assumption University (62). American International College (53) placed seventh, while the University of New Haven (33), Bentley University (29), Saint Anselm College (24) and Saint Michael's College (19) rounded out the bottom of the poll.
Head coach Josh Taylor will begin his ninth season as the head coach and is coming off a season in which the team finished 8-6-4, and advanced to the NE10 Championship semifinals before suffering a loss to Franklin Pierce. SNHU will be looking for its first NCAA bid since 2016.
The Penmen return four of their top six scorers from 2022, including scorer, senior Luca Shubitidze (Leipzig, Germany), who notched 21 points on nine goals and three assists, and second-leading scorer, sophomore Philipp Hermann (Bruckmuehl, Germany), who scored four goals and dished a pair of helpers for 10 points. Fellow NE10 All-Conference performers, junior Isnaba Namussé (Fogo, Cape Verde) and graduate student Mikel Cortazar (Barakaldo, Spain), as well as junior goalkeeper Preston Neal (Windham, N.H.) are also back. Namussé contributed to a back line that allowed 29 goals and posted a 1.29 goals-against average, while also scoring a goal of his own. Cortazar also scored a goal, while patrolling the midfield. Neal went 6-5-4 with a 1.45 GAA and .656 save percentage, as he started the final 15 matches of the season.
SNHU opens its 17-match schedule Thursday, Aug. 31 (4 p.m.) when it plays host to Mercy College at Ouellette Stadium. The Penmen have nine home matches on the schedule, including five of their first six contests. Be sure to check out @snhupenmen social media channels for the drop of the official 2023 schedule poster prior to the season opener.
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2023 NE10 Preseason Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll
1) Franklin Pierce – 100 (10)
2) Southern New Hampshire – 78 (1)
2) Adelphi – 78
4) Southern Connecticut – 66
5) Saint Rose – 63
6) Assumption – 62
7) American International – 53
8) New Haven – 33
9) Bentley – 29
10) Saint Anselm – 24
11) Saint Michael's – 19
