St. Joe's (ME) Tops 2010 GNAC Pre-season Poll

St. Joseph’s College of Maine has been selected as the favorite to win the men’s soccer GNAC title in the 2010 season. The selection, which is voted on by all conference coaches, comes with just a few days before the start of the fall campaign.

St. Joseph’s made their first NCAA Division III tournament appearance last fall, after defeating Emerson College, 2-1, in the conference championship.  The Monks eventually lost to Wesleyan University (CT) in the first round of the NCAA tournament, 2-0.

Lasell College came in second in the poll with 65 points. The 2008 GNAC champions, Norwich University, took a close third behind Lasell with 61 points.  Finishing off the poll are Albertus Mangus (59), Emerson (51) , Suffolk (49), Mount Ida (37) and Emmanuel (32).

1. St. Joseph's ME (79)

2. Lasell (65)

3. Norwich (61)

4. Albertus Mangus (59)

5. Emerson (51)

6. Suffolk (49)

7. Mount Ida (37)

8. Emmanuel (22)

1.       St. Joseph’s (79)

The Monks took not only last year’s conference championship title, but the regular season title as well, going 7-2 in GNAC play (14-7-1 overall). The team lost its GNAC Tournament Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year, goalkeeper Will Pike, to graduation. However, the team retains three of its All-Conference Team players in senior Paul Robbins, and juniors Michael Sanfilippo and Timothy Davison. Also returning is sophomore Jack LaFreniere, who scored seven goals and notched 17 points, second best in each category on the team.  LaFreniere also scored both goals for the Monks in the GNAC Championship game.

The Monks’ season kicks off on September 4^th against Fitchburg State in Keene, N.H. in the Xara Classic. Game is slated for 12 PM.

2.       Lasell (65)

Lasell stands out as the sole team to lose only one game in conference play last season. They went 6-1-1 against GNAC teams, and 10-6-3 overall. Returning to the Lasers is All-Conference First Team senior Dan Hatch. The forward had 18 total points and was second on the team in points and goals (seven), and tied for second in assists (four). He also finished the season ranked in the top 250 of NCAA DIII men’s soccer players in points per game (183rd, 1.2 per game), and goals per game (213th, .47).

The Lasell College Kick Off Classic starts on Sept. 4^th at 12 PM, with the Lasers taking on Polytechnic (N.Y.).

3.       Norwich (61)

The two time conference champions (2007 & 08) look to build upon their 2009 season, when they went 5-3-1 against GNAC teams and 10-8-2 overall. The Cadets made it to the semifinals but lost to eventual winners St. Joseph’s, 2-1. The incoming freshmen class boasts eight players who have been offered roster spots, with another three committed to the team. Norwich also retains the services of sophomore Jake Leclaire, who was named to the 2009 All Tournament Team.

Norwich opens the season at home against Southern Vermont, Sept. 1^st at 4 PM.

4.       Albertus Magnus (59)

Albertus put up a strong fight in its quarterfinal postseason match against Norwich, but lost 3-2 in double overtime. The Falcons finished the season 5-3-1 in GNAC play and 10-7-1 overall, just missing out on the ECAC tournament. The Falcons lost just one starting player to graduation, goalkeeper Gerald O’Connor. But junior co-captain Jamal Howard is back for his third year on the squad, as are his fellow All Conference Third Team members junior Kyle Kelly and sophomore Nick Hamasian.

Albertus Magnus starts 2010 play home against Western Conn. St. Game is schedule for Sept. 1^st at 4 PM.

5.       Emerson (51)

2009 GNAC Coach of the Year Jared Scarpaci is back for his eighth year leading the Lions. He led last year’s team to a 5-4-0 GNAC record and an overall record of 12-8-0. The squad started off last season slow, only winning one game in its first six contests, but ended the season on a hot streak, winning nine of its final 11 games. Last year’s squad boasted three All Tournament Team players (then senior Zach Sayward, freshmen Corey Walls and Kim Nikravesh) and two All Conference Team members (then juniors Eric Dabdoub and Kevin Peters).

The Lions begin the season on the road at Regis College on Sept. 6^th at 12 PM.

6.       Suffolk (49)

Suffolk (5-2-2 GNAC, 8-6-2) finished third in the conference in 2009. Their season ended after the first round when they were nipped by Emerson, 1-0. With try-outs held recently the Rams will be finalizing their roster soon. Last year Suffolk notched two individual honors – GNAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. These honors were earned by then sophomore Danny Llyod, who was near the top of nearly offensive category in the league.

The Rams kick off their season on Sept. 4^th, at Eastern Nazarene. Game time is 3 PM.

7.       Mount Ida (37)

Mount Ida (4-5-0 GNAC, 5-12-0) looks to return to the GNAC postseason in 2010. The Mustangs were knocked out in the quarterfinals to Lasell, with a final score of 6-0. The 2010 season brings about changes for Mount Ida.  Joseph Campbell enters his first year as head coach. The Mustangs also feature a fresh crop of underclassmen. The 10 freshmen on this year’s team look to make an impact and help Mount Ida get back to the GNAC Tournament.

The Mustangs open the season at home against Mass. Maritime. The match is slated for 3:30 PM on Sept. 1^st.

8.       Emmanuel (22)

The Saints finished last season with a conference record of 1-7-2 and an overall mark of 3-13-1. Returning for Emmanuel are 21 players, and head coach Colin Goin who enters his second year. Among those returning for the Saints is junior goalkeeper Wilhelm Du Bois. He finished the season in the top ten among conference goalkeepers in saves (59) and had a shut-out game against GNAC rival Johnson & Wales.  Also returning is sophomore Kevin Shirley. Shirley had a great start to his Emmanuel career in 2009. He was named GNAC Rookie of the Week and led his team in points (14) and tied for first in goals (six).

The 2010 season for Emmanuel begins on the road at Curry College on Sept. 1^st at 7 PM.