Posted: Aug 21, 2017
2017 Men's Soccer Preview
SALEM, MASS. -- Matt Correia takes over the 2017 Vikings after a successful stint at Daniel Webster. Correia, who coached the Eagles for six seasons, and was a two-time coach of the year selection, replaces Don Goodwin who led the program for eight years. Correia compiled 70 wins at Daniel Webster and led the Eagles to the New England Collegiate Conference title last season and a first-round NCAA win over Worcester State, the first men's soccer post-season win in school history.
This year, Correia will look to rebuild the Vikings, who are coming off a 4-9-3, 2016 campaign, including an 0-5-2 MASCAC mark and last place finish. With only eight returners from a season ago, this year's team will rely on transfers and multiple first-year players to turnaround Salem State's fortunes.
Senior co-captain Greg Enos (Peabody, Mass.) is one returning player who will be counted on in 2017. Enos started 14 games in net for Salem State in 2016 and had a .661 save percentage while making 72 saves. Junior back Nick Bettencourt (Peabody, Mass.), who started 14 games during his sophomore season is another experienced player who will be relied upon for the Vikings.
Senior co-captain Alex Carvajal (Medellin, Columbia) a transfer from Daniel Webster and Xavier Polanco (Salem, Mass.) a second-year transfer from Endicott are among two new faces who will be expected to make a big impact for Salem State this year. Carvajal was a first-team ALL-NECC midfielder selection while Polanco, who also plays mid, started in all 20 games for the Gulls last season. First-year players Mayele Malango (Lowell, Mass.), Nahuel Algibay (Leominster, Mass.), and Lucas Amaral (Peabody, Mass.) are three highly touted freshmen who coach Correia is confident can help improve the Vikings this year.
"Our main goal is to see our team perform better in conference. Last season we did not win a single conference game. This year we would like to improve on our MASCAC total to put ourselves in a position to compete for a conference tournament title."
Friday, September 1st @ 4:00 PM against Plymouth State
This year, Correia will look to rebuild the Vikings, who are coming off a 4-9-3, 2016 campaign, including an 0-5-2 MASCAC mark and last place finish. With only eight returners from a season ago, this year's team will rely on transfers and multiple first-year players to turnaround Salem State's fortunes.
| RETURNING PLAYERS |
Senior co-captain Greg Enos (Peabody, Mass.) is one returning player who will be counted on in 2017. Enos started 14 games in net for Salem State in 2016 and had a .661 save percentage while making 72 saves. Junior back Nick Bettencourt (Peabody, Mass.), who started 14 games during his sophomore season is another experienced player who will be relied upon for the Vikings.
Senior co-captain Alex Carvajal (Medellin, Columbia) a transfer from Daniel Webster and Xavier Polanco (Salem, Mass.) a second-year transfer from Endicott are among two new faces who will be expected to make a big impact for Salem State this year. Carvajal was a first-team ALL-NECC midfielder selection while Polanco, who also plays mid, started in all 20 games for the Gulls last season. First-year players Mayele Malango (Lowell, Mass.), Nahuel Algibay (Leominster, Mass.), and Lucas Amaral (Peabody, Mass.) are three highly touted freshmen who coach Correia is confident can help improve the Vikings this year.
| COACH'S TAKE |
"Our main goal is to see our team perform better in conference. Last season we did not win a single conference game. This year we would like to improve on our MASCAC total to put ourselves in a position to compete for a conference tournament title."
| PRESEAON POLL |
| Place (# of 1st Place Votes) | Points |
|
45 |
|
40 |
|
39 |
|
28 |
|
23 |
|
18 |
|
17 |
|
14 |
| SEASON OPENER |
vs. 
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