2014 Endicott Men's Soccer Schedule
BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott men's soccer program has released their 2014 schedule fit with a competitive 18 games, including nine non-conference matches. The Gulls are coming off a 9-10 (4-5 CCC) 2013 season, advancing to the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Quarterfinals for the programs fourth straight season. Endicott has a packed schedule that houses two NESCAC opponents and national tournament contenders.
The 2014 season will start with the annual Gull Invitational that will bring first time opponents, Skidmore, Husson and Montclair State to Endicott on August 29th and 30th. The invitational will lead into a series of three more non-conference games before CCC play begins.
On September 3rd the Gulls will travel to NESCAC opponent Bowdoin for the pair's first meeting in program history. The Polar Bears posed a strong 2013 season just falling to conference opponent Amherst in the NESCAC semifinals, Amherst wrapped up the season at #5 in the nation in 2013.
Endicott will then play a packed weekend as they host North Shore rivals the Vikings of Salem State for a North Shore Cup matchup on September 6th. The Blue and Green have won the last two meetings defeating the Vikings last season in a 3-2 overtime victory. To squeeze in one more contest before heading into CCC play the Gulls will travel to Saint Joseph's (Me.) on the 7th. Endicott is 3-1 all-time against the non-conference opponent defeating the Monks 3-0 last season at Endicott Stadium.
To start CCC competition Endicott will host the University of New England on September 13th, last season the Gulls defeated the Nor'easters 3-0 in their lone competition. On the 19th the Blue and Green will hit the road to Dudley to compete with conference opponent Nichols, who ousted the Gulls from the CCC tournament last fall.
The Gulls will then have a two home game stint as they face non-conference opponent Rivier and CCC member Roger Williams on the 27th and 30th. Endicott fell to the Hawks in an overtime battle, last fall that posed a strong one for the Hawks earning at At-Large bid into the National Tournament and finished the season at #25 in the country.
The short home game week will lead into a three road game stretch facing three strong competitors. On the last play date in September on the 30th the Blue and Green will travel to UMass Dartmouth, last season Endicott defeated the tough Little East Conference (LEC) competitors in a 1-0 decision. That contest will prepare Endicott for the October 4th matchup with conference rivals, Gordon. The Fighting Scots were upset in the conference tournament in 2013 but earned an at-large bid into the national tournament and finished the season ranked #25 in the country. In their pairs lone meeting last season the Blue and Green battled in a tough one goal loss decision.
To wrap up the road game stretch the Gulls will travel to first time opponent and national powerhouse Williams on the 5th. The Ephs finished the 2013 season ranked #4 in the country before being ousted in the semifinals of the national championship tournament.
Leading into the last stretch of contests before the postseason the Blue and Green will host their last non-conference opponent in Westfield State on October 8th before wrapping up conference play. The meeting will be fourth meeting all-time and a special one for Head Coach, Joe Calabrese, being a Westfield alum. Coach Calabrese has defeated his alma mater both times in his time at the helm of the men's soccer program.
Endicott will head straight for Springfield, Mass. on the 11th to compete with the reigning CCC Champions, Western New England, last season the Golden Bears defeated the Gulls in a tough 1-0 decision and spent some time in the National rankings. The Blue and Green will then host Salve Regina and Curry on the 18th and 22nd, Endicott defeated the Colonels in a 2-0 victory last season and just fell to the Seahawks in a one goal decision.
To wrap up the regular season the squad will hit the road for a pair of road games on October 25th and 28th as they travel to Wentworth and Eastern Nazarene, both of whom the Gulls defeated last fall.
The 2014 season will be a strong and competitive CCC battle for the title as three conference teams represented the CCC in the NCAA DIII Men's Soccer Tournament last fall.
The CCC tournament will begin on November 1st for the Quarterfinal Round while the Semifinals are set for November 5th and the Championship match slated for November 8th.
