Men's Soccer Has Four Members Named All-New England

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Junior Vanilton Xavier (Brockton, Mass.) was named to the 2023 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Men's All-New England Region First Team in an announcement on Tuesday afternoon as Salem State landed four players on the all-region team. Junior Brendan Walsh (Westford, Mass.) and senior James Meli (Dracut, Mass.) earned second team honors while senior Dylan Senra (Dartmouth, Mass.) was named to the third team. The four players selected to the all-region team are tied with the 1989 team for the most in a single season in Salem State men's soccer history. 

 

Xaiver, a forward in his first season with the Vikings, led Salem State with 12 goals and had an assist for 25 points. His 12 goals scored were the most in the MASCAC this year, which included a league-leading five game-winning goals. Defensemen Meli, the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Defensive Player of the Year, Senra and midfielder Walsh bolstered a strong defensive unit for the Vikings, who allowed a league-best .89 goals per game.

 

Salem State has had a member selected to the All-New England Team in five of the past six seasons and a first team representative in back-to-back seasons.