2024 Men's Soccer Preview

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State men's soccer was picked to finish 2nd in a vote by the league's eight head coaches in the MASCAC Men's Soccer Pre-Season Poll, which was released on Monday, August 26. Defending champion Bridgewater State took the top spot with five first place votes (46 points) followed by the Vikings, who garnered three first place votes (43 points). Westfield State (37 points) landed third in the pre-season rankings.

Season Outlook

The Vikings finished 12-4-4 a season ago, reaching double digits in wins in each of head coach Matt Correia's first five seasons. A solid 5-2 conference mark was dampened by a semifinal loss in the MASCAC Tournament to the Westfield State Owls. The Vikings will be affected by a larger turnover to the roster than in past years, but captain and All-Region and MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year James Meli (Dracut, Mass.) and All-Region and the conference's leading goal-scorer Vanilton Xavier (Brockton, Mass.) return to bolster any attrition from last year's team. A new year brings an influx of new talent and the team's perennial goal of winning the conference will be determined by how well the newer players can adapt and can the void left by All-Conference keeper Matt Hauntsman's graduation be seamlessly filled.      

Coach's Take

"With fifty-percent of our roster being brand new, our short term goal will be to mature and adapt together as a team. If we can do that successfully, this team has enough talent to compete for a MASCAC Championship, and that is the goal every year!"  

From The Captain - James Meli

"We plan to be in the mix for a championship as always. We strive to be the best of ourselves on the field and as men. This is the most motivated group we've ever had. Lots of talented young guys who are eager to join the group. The veterans are excited to have them and together we will work hard. We are proud to be Vikings."

2024 New Players to Watch

Midfielder Matheus Pelissari - Chelmsford HS, defenseman Stephane Fevry - Haverhill HS and midfieler Michael Echavarria - Woburn HS. All three were high-level club performers.     

Season Opener

Salem State opens the season at home against Lasell on Saturday, August 31 @ 1:00pm 

2024 MASCAC Men's Soccer Pre-Season Poll