Men's Soccer Picked Second in 2024 CACC Preseason Coaches Poll
Purple Knights finished last fall with a record of 10-7-3 which culminated in a defeat to Post in the conference final.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – With the new campaign to begin in just 10 days, the University of Bridgeport's men's soccer team was voted to finish second in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) according to the preseason coaches' poll released on Monday.
UB's respect from the league likely stems from a large returning contingent that piled up 10 wins and advanced to the CACC championship game in 2023. The Purple Knights finished last fall with a record of 10-7-3 which culminated in a defeat to preseason No. 1 Post in the conference final.
With 2023 in the rearview, Bridgeport's season-opener brings forth an exciting test. The Purple Knights will visit the two-time defending NCAA national champions, Franklin Pierce University, on Sept. 5. The Ravens have put up two consecutive undefeated seasons, bringing an unbeaten streak of 49 games into the new season.
Bridgeport's 2024 roster is composed of 19 returners from last year and a total of 27 upperclassmen. UB's top returning scorer from a year ago is Lucas Sousa, who finished with five goals and eight assists in 2023.
Sousa is a highly decorated returner for the Purple and White. He was the conference player of the year in UB's first season in the CACC in 2022. Sousa racked up seven goals and eight assists that year and currently boasts 16 career helpers and 14 total goals at UB.
2024 CACC MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Post University 121 (11)
2. University of Bridgeport 105 (1)
T3. Felician University 98
T3. Wilmington University 98
5. Caldwell University 75
6. Thomas Jefferson University 65
7. Georgian Court University 62
8. Holy Family University 57
9. Goldey-Beacom College 37
10. Chestnut Hill College 33
11. Dominican University 29
12. Bloomfield College 12
() - First-Place Votes
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