Men's Soccer Picked Sixth in Northeast Conference Poll

The Central Connecticut State University men's soccer team was selected sixth in the Northeast Conference Coaches' Poll, released today. After missing the playoffs a year ago, head coach Shaun Green will look to lead the Blue Devils back to the conference tournament for the first time since winning the NEC Championship in 2007.

Monmouth, which has won the NEC regular season title four years in a row, received five first place votes from the coaches and was picked to win the league in 2009. Last season's NEC Tournament Champion, Fairleigh Dickinson, was slotted second, netting three first place nods. Quinnipiac and St. Francis (NY) received the remaining first place votes, garnering one and two respectively, to place third and fourth in the poll. Mount St. Mary's was just ahead of CCSU in fifth place, while Sacred Heart finished directly behind the Blue Devils in seventh. Long Island and St. Francis (PA) tied for eighth and Robert Morris took 10th in the pre-season poll. A newcomer to the NEC standings, Bryant took the 11th spot.

2009 CCSU NEC Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll Release

After an incredible run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007, CCSU failed to make the NEC Tournament in 2008. This year's captains, senior Eddie Floyd and junior Robert Cavener, will look to guide the Blue Devils back to the conference tournament and win their second NEC Championship in three years. Both midfielders, Floyd and Cavener will control the CCSU squad on and off the field in 2009.

CCSU brings in a talented group of newcomers in 2009, headlined by Taylor Morgan and Xavier Forsberg. Morgan, a forward from Southampton, England, has been playing with the English National Schoolboy team prior to his time in New Britain. Forsberg is a defender and hails from Green Point, Australia. He is a former captain of the Australian National Schoolboy team.

The Blue Devils open up the season on the road against Vermont and New Hampshire at the Nike New Hampshire Classic. Central will challenge the Catamounts on Friday September 4 at 4:30 p.m. and then take on the host Wildcats on Sunday September 6 at 2:30 p.m.