news-engine

Click HERE for Full United Soccer Coaches Northeast Region Poll Kansas City, MO -- The United Soccer Coaches announced its first regional rankings of the 2026 season with three NEC men’s soccer teams earning spots in the Northeast Region Poll. The United Soccer Coaches announce their rankings every Tuesday afternoon during the season. Stonehill (fifth), FDU (ninth) and Central Connecticut (10th) were all tabbed in the inaugural poll as the trio went unbeaten in their first week of play. The Skyhawks started their season with two straight home victories led by NEC Player and Rookie of the Week Killian Doherty (Braintree, MA/Boston College High). Stonehill defeated Rhode Island, 3-2, on Thursday as Doherty found the back of the net for the game-winner in the 68 th minute along with dishing an assist on the fifth-ranked Skyhawks’ first score of the match. Doherty also notched the game-winning goal during Stonehill’s narrow 1-0 triumph over Northeastern on Sunday. The Skyhawks are out to a 2-0 start for the first time in their Division I era. Defending NEC champ FDU started their season this past Friday night with a scoreless draw against Saint Peter’s. Senior goalie Matheus Franca (Newark, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep (Seton Hall)) made five stops en route to a clean sheet. Franca was tabbed a Prime Performer this past week. The No. 9 Knights added their first victory of the 2026 campaign on Monday night as they took down La Salle, 2-1, on the road. Sophomore forward Jeremie Pelade (Aix-En-Provence, France/Mid America Nazarenne University) tallied two goals in the victory over the Explorers. Tenth-ranked CCSU defeated Manhattan in comeback fashion during its season opener on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Devils found themselves with a 2-0 deficit until the 62nd minute. CCSU totaled three goals in an eight minute stretch to take the lead and hold on for the win. Both Ben-Martin Wilkinson (Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge Island (Pacific) and Jaran Klevberg (Baerum, Norway/Dønski Videregående Skole) earned Prime Performer nods for scoring the game-tying and game-winning goals, respectively. Stonehill aims to keep its win streak alive as it hosts Merrimack on Thursday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. FDU rounds out August with a trip to play UAlbany on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. before hosting Rider at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 31. CCSU is also back in action on Thursday with a road match against UMass Lowell at 6:00 p.m. and returns home to take on VMI at 2:00 p.m. for a Monday matinee. All home matches can be streamed for free on NEC Front Row.