Five Vikings Named to MASCAC All-Conference Team
Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications
SALEM, Mass.-- Senior James Meli (D, Dracut, Mass.) was named the 2023 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Defensive Player Of The Year as five Vikings were named to the All-MASCAC Men's Soccer Team in an announcement by the league earlier this month. Brendan Walsh (D, Westford, Mass.), Vanilton Xavier (F, Brockton, Mass.) and Dylan Senra (D, Dartmouth, Mass.) all earned first team recognition along with Meli while keeper Matt Hauntsman (GK, Milford, N.H.) was named to the all-conference second team.
For the fourth year in a row a Vikings' defender took home the conference's defensive player of the year award. Tri-captain Meli started in all 19 games for Salem State this year. The senior defenseman along with teammates, tri-captain Walsh a two-time all-conference selection, and tri-captain Senra anchored the conference's top ranked defense, allowing only 18 goals and a league-best.089 goals against average while helping Salem State record a MASCAC-best nine shutouts this season. Newcomer Xavier was among the top offensive players in the conference in 2023. The forward topped Salem State with 12 goals and an assist for 25 points. He led the MASCAC in goals scored and placed second in points. His five game-winning goals led the conference.
Hauntsman is making his third consecutive appearance on the All-MASCAC Men's Soccer Team, after earning first team recognition in consecutive seasons. The senior recorded the league's top save percentage (.894) and most shutouts (8). He was seconds in wins (8) and goals allowed (12). His .894 save percentage ranked in the top-10 nationally in Division III. Hauntsman's 279 saves and 25 career shutouts rank second all-time in school history while his 31 career wins are third all-time.
Meli spoke about his all-conference selection while breaking the news that he will be back for a fifth season with Vikings next year. "I was very excited coming into this season because this was a goal of mine and now that I can officially say I am an all-conference player, it is very exciting. Fortunately, I have one more year of eligibility so I am going to use it next season and hopefully be all conference again.
The senior expressed what it meant to be named defensive player of the year. "Defensive player of the year is a next level accomplishment that I am beyond excited to receive. Only one player gets this award and to be recognized as the best defensive player in the entire MASCAC is truly something special to me. I will be chasing a second DPOY in the 2024 season."
He found out the news thanks to his head coach, Matt Correia. "I found out on a call from coach Correia. He called me and told me he wanted to be the first to congratulate me on winning defensive player of the year. My reaction was that I didn't believe him until I saw the article on the MASCAC website."
A particular game that resonated with him was on Halloween when Salem State faced Fitchburg State in the MASCAC Quarterfinals. "The game that will stick with me the most is our quarterfinal game against Fitchburg. I love this game because we had a goal and a plan and we executed it perfectly. We played our style of soccer where the other team didn't touch the ball at all. I loved celebrating with the team that game."
This was the first time the Dracut native earned all-conference in his collegiate career. "In college this is my first time being all-conference. My goal as a player is to help the team win an do whatever is needed. When I found out I was a contender for all conference it pushed me even harder to work to get all-conference recognition."
He spoke about his teammates that also won post-season accolades. "I love them all. My captains Brendan and Dylan pushed me harder every day because they knew I always had more in the tank and had high expectations for myself. Vanilton and Matt are my roommates, so we always had tunnel vision towards the goal. I was lucky to always be surrounded by good teammates."
Walsh talked about his all-conference season. "To be named first team all-conferences means a lot to me. I came into this year with two goals, to win a ring and make first team all-conference. Unfortunately, I could only complete one, but nonetheless it is a great honor. I put a lot of work in this summer with the guys, other club teams and on my own. To see that hard work pay off and be recognized by the league is a great honor."
The Westford native mentioned how much credit he gives to his teammates for this recognition. "My teammates, coaches and family get all the praise. People that push me and force me to do better each and every day. A guy like Dylan Senra is always there to push me and say can you do better. Guys like Landon Picillo come all the way from Rhode Island to get touches at O'Keefe for pickup and run a fitness test. Guys like that show up for our team and push us. Jaylin Cordes is always in the gym or on the pitch, he's a guy that sets an example of how to attack the day and it shows."
The senior expressed what he is going to miss the most about putting on the Viking uniform and the community at Salem State. "Playing for [coach] Correia, probably my favorite coach I have played for. Every time we step on the field whether it's for sprints, soccer tennis, small sided or a game he wants to win. That environment to just want to win everything is so contagious. Being in a winning environment with a group of guys who share that same mindset is something hard to replicate, and I will definitely miss that. Living with my roommates in our dorm is something I cherish each day and will surely miss without a question."
"The two guys that return next year are huge parts. With a natural goal scorer in Vanilton Xavier and reigning defensive player of the year James Meli the team will be solid. Two big names play two big roles. I have no doubt that they will be back and better next year. [Matt] Hauntsman, I can't say enough about him, number one in the nation at moments this season for save percentage and is a great impact for us when he's in. Dylan Senra, always reliable and consistent beyond belief. Going to miss playing with Dylan a bunch, always loud and demanding. Always pushing me and our team forward, his presence is always felt on the field, technical and fierce. All four of these guys were huge to our success this season. Though us five were on the conference list, players from all over our team could have made it. We have impactful guys that don't always get the recognition they deserve, even when they make huge plays for us all year."
Senra, who was named first team all-conference last year, spoke about what the achievement means, as he won it for the second time in his career. "I'm extremely grateful to have been named first team all-conference in my last two years of college soccer. Soccer has been something I've worked hard at all my life, being recognized for these awards mean nobody can succeed solely on their own"
A game that resonatea with Senra was against Wheaton (Mass.) on October 4 when the Vikings took home a 1-0 victory at Alumni Field. "A game that resonates with me from this past season is the home win over Wheaton. Wheaton is a top program in the area, and after getting a win over them the previous year we knew we would get their best shot this year. It was a back-and-forth battle where we had to stick together as a team to see the game through and get our result."
He expressed the competitiveness of playing in the MASCAC. "The MASCAC is continuing to get better and better as a whole. Making any all-conference team is no easy task that just comes easy. Lots of off-season work and dedication was what I found helped me achieve these accomplishments.
The senior talked about what he is going to miss the most about putting on a Vikings'uniform. "I will miss conference Saturday's at Alumni field the most. Truly one of the best environments one could ask for at a college soccer game. With an unmatched support during the game that continued out into the parking lot post-game, it will always be one of my fondest memories of college."
The Dartmouth native talked about how much his teammates mean to him. "Those guys deserve all the credit for their incredible seasons, and I am forever grateful for the time we spent on the pitch together."
Vanilton a transfer-student from Brockton, Mass. reflected on the past season. "It doesn't mean too much [all-conference] because the job wasn't done. It is cool to have received the award, but it is a better feeling when you win a championship! However, it felt good to be with a good group of guys that was able to help me earn this award."
A game he still thinks about was the conclusion of the regular season when Salem State dropped a game to Westfield State 2-1 at Alumni Field, which was also senior day. "Probably would be the last game of the season. I made a bad decision and it cost us in the playoff. We will be back better as a team in my last year and we will get it done!"
The junior expressed what his teammates mean to him. "They mean a lot. They made me feel good when I joined the team and they had my back throughout the whole season."
Vanilton stated for next upcoming season he wants to be a leader and be a better version of himself.
Hauntsman, spoke about making second team all-conference. "I am very honored to be awarded second team all conference, however I am disappointed I wasn't in the first team, because I feel like my play over this season along with stats put me at the top. However like I said I am very honored to be placed on the second team."
"My honest reaction was sort of disappointment because I really was hoping to make first team three times in a row and when [I] found out I was second team I felt like I failed one of my personal goals."
Hauntsman expressed what he is going to miss about putting on the Vikings' uniform "What I'll miss most for sure is my teammates and coaches, and I'll especially miss the feeling of walking out on Alumni Field for a game at 7pm under lights."
The Milford native revealed how much credit he gave to his teammates. "I give all the credit to my teammates because without them I wouldn't be where I am today. Just the overall play by the team as a whole really helped push me to be better and a lot of players made big time plays in games that really saved me."
The senior talked about his teammates that earned all-conference. "My team means a whole lot to me, they are like my brothers and I am so happy and proud of all of them for winning first team."