GORHAM, Maine –  Receiving 12 points, the University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's soccer team was voted to finish ninth in the 2021 Little East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.  With four first place votes and 58 points, the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors were chosen to finish first, while UMass Boston Beacons, also receiving four first place votes, are picked to finish behind the Warriors with 57 points.  Finishing as the tournament runner-up during the 2019 season, Eastern Connecticut has claimed five tournament championships, most recently in 2013.

            Returning to the Hannaford Field pitch in an official capacity for the first time since the 2019 season, the Huskies' have a mix of returning players and large group of newcomers to the squad.  The Huskies finished their 2019 campaign with a record of 0-15-3 overall and 0-7-1 in Little East Conference action. 

            Among the anticipated returners are senior midfielder Zekariya Shaib (Portland, Maine).  In 2019, Shaib had one goal and three assists for the Huskies.  Junior Sean Brueninghaus (Superior, Wisc./Duluth East) and senior forward Noah Perry (Waterboro, Maine/Massabesic) also return for Southern Maine.  Brueninghaus had a pair of goals in his debut season with the Huskies.  Perry is the Huskies' top returning scorer from 2019, with four goals and an assist. Perry had a goal and an assist for USM in a 2-2 double-overtime draw at Plymouth State University in LEC play. Perry closed out the 2019 season scoring in three consecutive matches for the Huskies, notching goals against Maine Maritime, Rhode Island College and Keene State. 

            In his 16th season since returning to USM, Huskies' veteran head coach Mike Keller has guided the Huskies to a combined record of 76-164-18 overall, including a 12-9-1 mark in 2008 that included the program's first Little East Conference regular season championship.  Keller was named the LEC Coach of the Year in 2008 for his efforts

.  Keller and the Huskies begin their 2021 campaign on the road at Husson University on Wednesday, September 1 (6:00 pm).  The Huskies' host UMaine Presque Isle on Monday, September 6 (1:00 pm) in their home opener.
 

2021 Little East Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll (FPV)
1.	Eastern Connecticut	58 points	(4)
2.	UMass Boston	57 points	(4)
3.	Western Connecticut	49 points	(1)
T4.	Keene State	43 points
T4.	Rhode Island College	43 points
6.	Castleton	24 points
7.	Plymouth State	21 points
8.	UMass Dartmouth	17 points
9.	Southern Maine	12 points