2019 Men's Soccer Preview

SALEM, MASS. -- Matt Correia begins his third season at the helm of the Salem State men's soccer team. Correia, who has averaged 12 wins in each of his first two seasons, looks to put the Vikings back into the NCAA Tournament this season after a disappointing loss in the MASCAC Semifinals a year ago, a defeat to Bridgewater State in a game decided by penalty kicks.  

 
Despite a 12-3-4 mark in 2018, this year's success will be determined by its post-season fate. The MASCAC will feature four teams capable of landing the league's crown and Correia is confident he will be able to navigate Salem State back to the MASCAC title.

All-MASCAC midfielders Lucas Amaral (Peabody, Mass.) and Grace Dos Santos (Brockton, Mass.) will be back to spearhead the Vikings' attack. The two combined for 34 starts with Amaral, a second team all-conference selection a year ago, tallying 12 points, including three-game winning kicks. Dos Santos, a former first team selection as a sophomore, will be counted on to help replace the scoring output of All-New England forward Gabriel Meireles (8g, 7a), who will not be returning this season.
 
Defense is again the strength of this year's team, and Salem State will have to come close to matching the impressive .070 goals against average of last season's squad in order to reach their expectations of a championship. Orlando Rodrigues (Burlington, Mass.), Joao DeSouza (Lowell, Mass.) and Damon Deocleciano (Lowell, Mass.) return and will provide leadership to a team that allowed just 14 goals in 19 games, which ranked in the top 10 in New England.      

Senior keeper Chris Jimenez (Nashua, N.H.), who led the MASCAC in wins with 11 in 2018 to go along with a 0.77 goals against average – second in the league -, also returns. A proven leader, he will provide the Vikings with an established presence in net and once again will be among the top goaltenders in the MASCAC.

This year, the Vikings will be joined by Eastern Mass All Stars Dylan Senra (Dartmouth, Mass./ Dartmouth), George Zuleta (Lowell, Mass./Lowell), Nicholas Ramos (Middleboro, Mass.) and Fabricio Torres (Haverhill, Mass.) a transfer from Franklin Pierce.

"Last year we felt we were one of the top teams but didn't reach our ultimate goal.  I think that humbled us a bit and made us more determined going into this year.  This is more of a veteran group that knows exactly what they want.  Our goal is to get back to the top of the league and into the NCAA Tournament."

The Vikings will open the season against regional power Keene State on Friday August, 30 at 7:00 PM as part of the Salem State Men's Soccer Classic which will also feature Pine Manor and Emerson.