New England Soccer Discussion

[Kuiper]

Vermont-Castleton joining the MASCAC in 2027-2028 as a Core Member

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Council of Presidents and Commissioner Angela Baumann are excited to announce that Vermont State University Castleton will be joining the MASCAC as a core member effective in the 2027-28 academic year. The Spartans will compete in all 20 championship sports the MASCAC offers.

Castleton joins the eight Massachusetts state universities of Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University as the competing core member institutions in the MASCAC. The MASCAC currently sponsors 20 championships.

"We are pleased to welcome Vermont State University Castleton as a core member to the MASCAC," Commissioner Baumann said. "As a like-public institution with strong geographic alignment and a sports sponsorship profile that perfectly matches our conference offerings, Castleton is a natural fit for the conference and strengthens our shared commitment to regional Division III athletics. Their tradition of competitive excellence, student-athlete success, and institutional values aligns well with the mission of the MASCAC, and we are excited about the opportunities this addition creates for our student-athletes, campuses, and communities across the region."

The Spartans athletics department offers 26 intercollegiate sports, including alpine skiing, baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's golf, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, women's rugby, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball and men's wrestling.

"We're excited to join the MASCAC and for what this opportunity means for our student‑athletes on the VTSU Castleton Campus," said Vermont State University President Dave Bergh. "This conference move will centralize competition, enhance the student‑athlete experience, and support student success both on the field and in the classroom. We look forward to the additional opportunities this affiliation will create for our Castleton-based students, community, and athletics program in the years ahead."

Vermont State University, Vermont's statewide public university, provides transformative, future‑ready education that empowers learners to forge their own path – professionally, personally, and within their communities. Rooted in Vermont values, Vermont State delivers hands‑on, career‑connected learning through in‑person, fully online, and blended programs built for real lives and real goals.

Vermont State University Castleton fosters a close‑knit community of approximately 1,600 graduate and undergraduate students in Southern Vermont. With 26 varsity athletic programs, Castleton's student‑athletes embody Vermont State's spirit and commitment to integrity, leadership, academic achievement, and community service.

[Kuiper]

NEWMAC 2026 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

1. Wheaton
2. Babson
3. Coast Guard
4. WPI
5. Springfield
6. Emerson
7. Salve Regina
8. MIT
9. Clark

[Kuiper]

GNAC Preseason Poll

1. University of St. Joseph's (CT) (9)
2. Rivier (3)
3. St. Joseph's (Maine) (1)
4. Norwich
5. Albertus Magnus
6. Regis
7. Emmanuel
8. Dean
9. New England College
10. Colby-Sawyer
11. Elms
12. Lasell
13. Mitchell

[Kuiper]

United Soccer Coaches Region II Ranking 9/15/26

Region II - Poll 1 - September 15, 2026
Rank   School   Prev   W-L-T
1   Babson College   NR   4-0-0
2   Wheaton College (Mass.)   NR   3-0-2
3   Roger Williams University   NR   4-1-0
4   Salem State University   NR   4-0-0
5   Brandeis University   NR   2-2-1
6   Emerson College   NR   3-2-1
7   Clark University   NR   1-1-2
8   Suffolk University   NR   2-1-1

[Kuiper]

United Soccer Coaches Region 1 Ranking 9/15/26

Region I - Poll 1 - September 15, 2026
Rank   School   Prev   W-L-T
1   Wesleyan University   NR   3-0-0
2   Middlebury College   NR   3-0-0
3   Williams College   NR   3-0-0
4   Tufts University   NR   2-1-0
5   Connecticut College   NR   2-1-0
6   University of Massachusetts-Boston   NR   3-1-0
7   Amherst College   NR   1-1-1
8   Western Connecticut State University   NR   3-1-2

[Kuiper]

USC Region II Poll #2 Sept. 22, 2026

Rank   School   Prev   W-L-T
1   Babson College   NR   5-0-1
2   Wheaton College (Mass.)   NR   4-0-3
3   Roger Williams University   NR   4-1-2
4   Salem State University   NR   6-0-0
5   Brandeis University   NR   2-3-2
6   Suffolk University   NR   3-1-3
7   University of Hartford   NR   2-1-2
8   United States Coast Guard Academy   NR   3-2-1

[SKUD]

Congratulations to Clark knocking off Wheaton today 1-0.  Unbelievable

[BaboNation]

Congratulations to Clark knocking off Wheaton today 1-0.  Unbelievable

What happened to Gael Vera?  Did I miss a transfer?  He would have been a junior this year and was NEWMAC POY last year.  They really miss his offense and creativity.

[Kuiper]

This poll was conducted before Babson's loss to Tufts, but I doubt it would have affected the results

USC Region II Poll 3 Sept. 29, 2026

Region II - Poll 3 - September 29, 2026
Rank   School   Prev   W-L-T
1   Babson College   NR   6-0-1
2   Wheaton College (Mass.)   NR   5-1-3
3   Roger Williams University   NR   4-1-3
4   Suffolk University   NR   5-1-3
5   Gordon College   NR   3-3-1
6   Salem State University   NR   6-1-1
7   Endicott College   NR   3-2-3
8   United States Coast Guard Academy   NR   4-2-1

[LibbyMoore]

New England soccer really brought all the excitement this weekend!

Maine Maritime plays VT State Lydon to a 7-0 finish, then plays Middlebury 0-8 the next day--hats off to MMA for a pretty grueling road trip for two away games, and playing with positivity the second day.

Amherst-Tufts! That's a lot of goals, and imagine being up three, looking for that first conference win of the season and then conceding three to a conference rival!

Wesleyan is in the "soccer is the cruelest sport" phase of their season, losing a few very close matches after beating the reigning national champ out of the gate. I am sure their record will improve as the move through the remainder of the season, though Hamilton, Colby, Bates and Trinity have all proven without a doubt that there is no easy opponent in the NESCAC.

Clark is right now my favorite dark horse of the season---a win over previously undefeated Wheaton and a tie with Babson, they are clicking! Looking forward to seeing what they can do for the rest of the conference games in the NEWMAC.

Washington & Lee is ROLLING after that first game loss, great to see them doing so well.

Lots of great games coming up this week!

[SKUD]

Clark is still Clark and bad teams get a draw occasionally against a better opponent, congratulations to Clark.

Wheaton's goalie also had the worst gaff I have ever witnessed topped of by a lack of hustle. Regardless if it was a Noreaster.

[Kuiper]

This poll was conducted before Babson's loss to Tufts, but I doubt it would have affected the results

USC Region II Poll 3 Sept. 29, 2026

Region II - Poll 3 - September 29, 2026
Rank   School   Prev   W-L-T
1   Babson College   NR   6-0-1
2   Wheaton College (Mass.)   NR   5-1-3
3   Roger Williams University   NR   4-1-3
4   Suffolk University   NR   5-1-3
5   Gordon College   NR   3-3-1
6   Salem State University   NR   6-1-1
7   Endicott College   NR   3-2-3
8   United States Coast Guard Academy   NR   4-2-1

Region II - Poll 4 - October 6, 2026
Rank   School   Prev   W-L-T
1   Babson College   NR   6-1-2
2   Roger Williams University   NR   7-1-3
3   Wheaton College (Mass.)   NR   5-1-4
4   Gordon College   NR   5-3-2
5   Endicott College   NR   3-2-5
6   Salem State University   NR   8-1-1
7   United States Coast Guard Academy   NR   5-2-2
8   Emerson College   NR   6-3-2

Emerson replaces Suffolk

[Scot_Fan]

Big CNE matchup tomorrow evening with Gordon playing at Roger Williams. Conference play has been murky to begin with (Nichols at the top of the standings was not on my bingo card) but this match looks like it could heavily impact the standings.