Bears Picked Fourth in MASCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University men's soccer team has been picked to finish in fourth place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) standings as the 2023 MASCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by conference director of media relations, Emily Loux.

The Bears received 33 points in the poll including one first-place vote. Defending MASCAC tournament champion Worcester State University is the preseason favorite to capture the conference title as the Lancers recorded 44 votes with a trio of first-place votes. Salem State University is second in the poll with 42 points and two first-place votes, while defending MASCAC regular season champion Framingham State University is third with 40 points and one first-place vote.

Under the guidance of head coach Brendan Adams (22nd Year), the BSU men's soccer team opens the 2023 campaign on Friday, September 1st as the Bears travel to Johnson & Wales University to take on the Wildcats at six o'clock. The 2023 home opener is slated for Saturday, September 9th (11:00 AM) as the Bears' welcome the Leopards of Wentworth Institute of Technology to Mazzaferro Field.

The Bears will open Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play at home against Worcester State on Friday, September 15th at 7:00 PM.

Returning All-MASCAC selections Nicolas Matias (Jr., M, Milford, Mass.), David Nelson (Sr., F, East Bridgewater, Mass.) and Justin Silva (Jr., D, North Attleboro, Mass.) will help lead the Bears in 2023.

The Bears finished in fourth place in the 2022 MASCAC standings with a 4-2-1 conference mark (7-8-4 overall). Seeded fourth in the 2022 MASCAC Tournament, the Bears advanced all the way to the conference championship game before falling on penalty kicks to third-seeded Worcester State.