Men’s Soccer Tabbed to Finish Fourth in MASCAC Preseason Poll
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University men's soccer team has been chosen to finish fourth in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's soccer preseason poll in voting conducted by the conference's eight coaches. The Rams received 44 points including a single first place vote.
Salem State University was selected to finish first with 56 points and three first place votes, while Bridgewater State was in the second spot with 55 points and the remaining four first place votes. Just ahead of the Rams in third was Westfield State University with 49 points. Rounding out the poll is MCLA (30 points), Massachusetts Maritime Academy (21 points), Worcester State (17 point) and Fitchburg State (16 points).
The Rams finished the 2010 season 11-10-1 overall and 4-3 in the MASCAC which secured the fourth seed for the MASCAC Tournament. The Rams defeated top seed Westfield State on penalty kicks and advanced to the tournament final for the second time in four seasons. The Rams earned a bid to the ECAC New England Championship Tournament as the sixth seed.
In 2011 the Rams will have a new look as they lost seven seniors to graduation including four all-conference players one of whom was back-to-back MASCAC player of the year Jason Silva. Returning for the Rams are a pair of all-conference players from 2010 including MASCAC Rookie of the Year and first team selection Ronaldo Vieira (Framingham, Mass.) and second team selection Will Menter (Haverhill, Mass.). Vieira netted five goals and two assists as a midfielder in his rookie season which was shortened due to injury, while Menter, who earned his second all-conference honors in 2010, was an anchor of the Rams defense which allowed only 1.5 goals per game.
The Rams open the 2011 season on Saturday, September 3rd as they host Gordon at Maple Street Field at 12 p.m.