FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Defending Champion Warriors Top Coaches’ Poll
MANSFIELD, Mass. – Defending Northeast-10 Conference Champion Merrimack has been selected as the top team in the 2018 Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll, it was announced today. Merrimack defeated Bentley 2-1 in overtime last year to claim the NE10 title. The Warriors narrowly edged last year's regular season champion, Adelphi, 158-155 in this year's voting.
For complete results of the poll, please see below.
Five different NE10 programs received at least one first place vote with both Merrimack and Adelphi each receiving five first place nods to lead the way. Southern New Hampshire (2), Le Moyne (1), and Southern Connecticut (1) also were picked by at least one head coach to win this year's NE10 title.
While Merrimack outgained Adelphi by three points to earn the top spot, SCSU finished third in the poll earning 139 total points. Just behind the Owls was SNHU, which received 138 points and Le Moyne earned 131 to round out the top five in this year's poll.
Both Merrimack and Adelphi appeared the United States Soccer Coaches Preseason poll. Adelphi is currently ranked 13th in the country, while Merrimack checks in at #22.
The 2018 season will officially begin on Thursday, August 30 with ten NE10 teams beginning their campaigns. Undoubtedly the biggest game on the slate during that opening night of play is a showdown between Adelphi and longtime rival LIU Post, two of the premier program in the East Region traditionally.
The NE10 Championship will begin with Quarterfinal action on Tuesday, October 30, followed by the Semifinals on Friday, November 2. The Championship Final will be played on Sunday, Nov. 4. All rounds of this year's conference championship will be hosted by the higher seeded team.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 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.