The FCS season is quick approaching, so we’re going inside every convention race. With defending champ Duquesne main the best way, right here’s our 2024 NEC soccer preview.
There’s a distinct look with Northeast Convention soccer this season, however nothing is altering with the gritty, hard-nosed fashion of play and tight video games.
Final yr, six of the convention video games had been determined by three factors, and 13 had a remaining distinction of seven-or-fewer factors. Duquesne gained two of its first three NEC video games by three factors en path to the championship and an FCS playoff bid.
The modified look within the standings comes with the arrival of Mercyhurst, which has moved up from the Division II stage, the return of Robert Morris after its departure in 2020, and Merrimack and Sacred Coronary heart leaving as FCS independents this season.
2024 NEC Soccer Preview
Predicted Order of End
*-FCS Playoff Qualifier
1. *Duquesne (7-5, 6-1) – The defending champion Dukes have been part of six NEC championships and 9 convention crowns below Twentieth-year coach Jerry Schmitt. Quarterback Darius Perrantes (2,324 passing yards, 21 landing passes, 18 interceptions) threw for an FCS-high 17.7 yards per completion final season and has targets in broad receiver Tedy Afful and Stonehill switch tight finish Noah Canty. Taj Butts would be the featured working again. The protection gave up too many factors in losses, and seeks enchancment behind linebacker Gianni Rizzo (68 tackles, 10 tackles for loss).
2. Robert Morris (4-7, 2-4 Huge South-OVC) – The Dukes’ return to the NEC has attracted switch Tyvon Edmonds Jr., the convention’s 2023 speeding chief at Merrimack. The Stats Carry out Preseason Third Workforce All-American combining with WR Noah Robinson (70 receptions, 846 yards, 6 TDs) will put strain on defenses and permit QB Anthony Chiccitt to be even stronger after a breakout season. Security Dee Pierce (57) and LB Jamar Shegog (51) ranked second and third on the crew, respectively, in tackles. The Colonials and Duquesne will renew a yard rivalry that was final performed in 2019.
3. Saint Francis (4-6, 4-3) – Coach Chris Villarrial should love that the Crimson Flash have power within the trenches with offensive lineman Mason Imbt (a transformed tight finish) and defensive linemen Eddie Bierals and Gavin Thomas. The important thing will come on the expertise positions, together with QB Nick Whitfield Jr. changing Cole Doyle (34 TD passes the final two seasons). Linebacker Mercury Swaim collected 48 tackles as a redshirt freshman.
4. Stonehill (5-5, 4-3) – The Skyhawks gained three of their remaining 4 NEC video games to complete in a four-way tie for second place in simply their second season within the convention. Taking the following step acquired more durable when All-NEC RB Jermaine Corbett made a switch to Merrimack. The offense nonetheless boasts Ashur Carraha, who’s coming into his third season because the beginning QB. Defensive again Jordan Irvine was named to the All-NEC preseason crew.
5. LIU (4-7, 4-3) – With back-to-back 4-3 data within the NEC, LIU has asserted itself fairly properly. Nevertheless, third-year coach Ron Cooper’s Sharks will probably be hard-pressed to switch graduated TE Owen Glascoe and switch DE Eric O’Neill. Quarterback Chris Howell, who has an unorthodox, lefty throwing fashion, will goal all-purpose standout Michael Love. Will Lynch has been the All-NEC first-team punter two years working. Gulp, the street schedule consists of TCU and 2023 CAA Soccer tri-champions UAlbany and Villanova.
6. Central Connecticut State (3-8, 1-6) – There’s potential for a soar within the standings resulting from returning starters, particularly RB Elijah Howard (1,155 yards and 6 TDs from scrimmage) and security Kimal Clark, the NEC’s preseason defensive participant of the yr. Like that pair, 6-foot-7, 330-pound offensive lineman Isaiah DeLoatch, LB Jayden Anderson and place-kicker Jack Barnum had been named to the All-NEC preseason crew. Former QB Brady Olson has transferred in as nicely.
7. Wagner (4-7, 3-4) – Wagner had extra wins final season than of their 2019-22 campaigns mixed. Middle Brady Anderson and Brady Anderson are veterans up entrance, and their return aides QB Damien Mazil because the Seahawks search to get the ball to WR Jaylen Bonelli, the NEC’s 2023 offensive rookie of the yr. Lanky defensive finish Jorel Liverpool (10 TFLs, three sacks) is one more in a current line of Wagner move rushers.
Mercyhurst (2-9 Division II) – Simply 8-27 on the Division II stage this decade, the NEC’s new western-most program (Erie, Pennsylvania) faces a studying curve. Third-year coach Ryan Riemedio’s crew is taking part in solely 4 NEC applications, so it’s ineligible for the 2024 title. The NEC competitors will rapidly get to know lefty QB Adam Urena (2,651 passing yards and 23 TD passes final season) and WR Cameron Barmore (16 profession TD catches), however the Lakers surrendered 456 yards and 42 factors per recreation a yr in the past.
How the Convention Predicted the Race
5 Gamers to Know
Eddie Bierals, DE, Saint Francis – The returning All-NEC first-team choice instructions double groups resulting from his capability to energy into opposing backfields.
Jaylen Bonelli, WR, Wagner – As a rookie, Bonelli had a pair of 100-yard performances whereas reeling in 40 catches for 627 yards and 4 TDs.
Kimal Clark, DB, Central Connecticut State (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – The hard-hitting security ranked second within the convention excessive in tackles (89) and had essentially the most solo stops (53).
Tyvon Edmonds Jr., Robert Morris (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – In his third and remaining season at Merrimack, Edmonds led the NEC in carries (279), speeding yards (1,247) and TD runs (10).
Darius Perrantes, QB, Duquesne (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – Whereas Perrantes has to chop down on interceptions, he’s handed for 4,483 yards and 44 TDs in his profession.
5 Should-See Matchups
1. Duquesne at Saint Francis (Oct. 12) – The 2 most-recent NEC champions sq. off in vital recreation. The Dukes gained 38-35 final season and used to dominate the collection, however SFU has captured 4 of the final 9 conferences.
2. Robert Morris at Duquesne (Nov. 9)
3. Saint Francis at Robert Morris (Oct. 12)
4. Central Connecticut State at Saint Francis (Sept. 14)
5. LIU at Duquesne (Oct. 5)
Quick Reality
Within the aggressive NEC, seven totally different applications have represented the convention within the FCS playoffs because it gained an automated bid in 2010 – with Wagner (2012) and Duquesne (2018) posting first-round wins. Amongst playoff-eligible applications (not Stonehill and Mercyhurst), LIU is the one present NEC program but to look within the playoffs.
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