BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Concord University men's soccer team has been pegged to finish third in the Mountain East Conference with the release of the conference's coaches' preseason poll Thursday afternoon.
THE POLL
| Place |
Team (First-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
Charleston (7) |
49 |
| 2. |
Davis & Elkins (1) |
42 |
| 3. |
Concord |
36 |
| 4. |
West Liberty |
26 |
| 5. |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
24 |
| 6. |
Point Park |
20 |
| 7. |
Wheeling |
14 |
| 8. |
Frostburg State |
13 |
2023 REVIEW
The Mountain Lions made the conference postseason for the first time in more than two decades as it finished 8-5-7 and advanced to the MEC Tournament Semifinals, defeating West Virginia Wesleyan 3-2 in the MEC Quarterfinals along the way. One of the top defenses, not only in the MEC, but in the Atlantic Region, CU surrendered just 23 goals in 20 games. Concord posted seven shutouts and had five more games only allowing one goal.
2024 SCHEDULE
Concord plays 14 conference games and four non-conference games. The season starts September 8 against MEC newcomer Point Park with the home opener coming three days later versus West Liberty. Schedule highlights include traveling to WVWC September 18 and hosting the Bobcats in a rematch of the MEC Quarterfinals October 20. The first meeting versus nationally-ranked Charleston comes at UC September 25 before Concord welcomes the Golden Eagles November 6. CU travels to Shaw October 2 which will be Concord's first time facing the Bears since 2021.
THE RETURNERS
The stingy Mountain Lion defense was spearheaded by All-MEC First Teamer and all-region selection
Kai Forsyth who returns for his junior season in the central defense. All-MEC Second Team performer
Fabian Amhof finished second on the team in points with 17 (six goals, five assists). Sophomore forward
Ignacio Alvarez Maina netted three goals during his first collegiate season. Joining Forsyth on the back line is sophomore defender
Zakari Messam who started 17 games. Senior midfielder
Raheem Baptiste was steady in the middle last fall as he played 18 games and started 16 contests. Senior forward
Carlos Zuniga came off the bench in 11 games and junior forward
Nick Lowery appeared in 10 games in a reserve role.
THE NEWCOMERS
Three transfer goalkeepers were brought in to replace
Keegan Grant as
Rashad Hart (San Fernadno, Trinidad & Tobago/Denmark Tech),
Miguel Oliveria (Lisbon, Portugal/Wenatchee Valley) and
Nathan Scargill (Windsor, England/Feather River) jockey for playing time in net. Division II transfer
Erik Lotysz (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Northern Michigan) looks to sure up the back line as a junior defender. Second-year head coach
Alex Smith welcomes a total of 14 transfers with the majority coming from the junior college ranks. Smith and his staff also recruited 26 freshmen to this year's roster.
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