**Needs headline reviewed. Waiting on sources (she originally cited Beacon Athletics, waiting for a more specific citation).**
After a stellar last season, the UMass Boston men’s soccer team has been at it again. Practices have started in the spring semester, and have continued through the summer.
Their near perfect record was tainted by a conference loss to Western Connecticut State, but instead of wallowing in their loss, they decided to build on their strengths and work on their weaknesses together as a team. This hard work and dedication didn’t go unnoticed, as the Beacons were voted first overall — with seven first-place votes, all from LEC coaches — among the Little East Conference men’s soccer teams in the 2024 LEC preseason poll, according to Beacons Athletics (). The Beacons scored first on the polls with a total of 63 points, leaving behind Western Connecticut State with 56 and Eastern Connecticut State with 45 ().
This season, the team will focus on building on last season, when they finished 13-5-2 overall and 6-1-1 in the conference plays (). Last season, the Beacons defeated the fourth-ranked Rhode Island College Anchormen, but unfortunately fell short in the LEC finale.
Head Coach Beverlin is the pillar that supports the entire team, and when the foundations are this strong, the structure can withstand anything. The team has gone through a lot last season from humbling losses to hard-fought wins. This season, they have a new team with some old faces left and some new ones added. Most notably, the loss of Senior goalkeeper Qasim El-Ashkar will be felt greatly by the whole team. Their new recruits are a great addition to an already strong team. Head Coach Jake Beverlin has recruited a mixed bag of skills, from high school seniors to many transfers.
The Beacons haven’t left any stone unturned in preparing for the coming season. Their passion for the sport is unwavering and their impeccable teamwork is what makes them stand out as a team, and LEC coaches agree.
The UMass Boston men’s soccer team is set to open its 2024 season Aug. 30 with an away game in Newport against the Salve Regina Hawks, and will play their home-opener on Saturday, Sept. 7 against Plattsburgh State.
