The Saint Anselm College men’s soccer team is not one to overlook. Prior to the start of the season, the NE10 Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll predicted Saint Anselm to finish in sixth place, the highest ranking the Hawks have been predicted to place in the last ten years.

The 2023 season had ended for the Hawks with a 6-9-3 overall record and a 4-4-2 conference record putting them in fourth place in the final standings for the NE10 Conference. This qualified them for their first conference postseason as the fifth seed in fourteen years, making this season the best finish since 2002.

This season so far, the Hawks are determined to put in the work to clinch playoffs. The beginning of the season was off to a challenging start. The Hawks kicked off the start of the season at Melucci Field on September 7 against Molloy where they lost 0-1. They faced eight consecutive losses, yet, “despite these difficulties, this team has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity” said Jack O’Brien ’25. “Following our eight game losing streak, we have remained undefeated in the last six games” O’Brien added. With these wins, the Hawks have rekindled their aspirations for playoffs wanting to come out on top.

“Currently, we are in great form. Our team has never been closer and it is showing on the pitch” O’Brien said.

With fuel adding to the fire the Hawks have been able to win three games against Assumption, Saint Michael’s and Daemen and three ties against American Int’l, New Haven, and Franklin Pierce October 19, October 23, and October 26. On October 23, the Hawks went up against New Haven where the game remained tied 0-0, making it the third shutout in the last six games.

With help from key players like Chance Prouty ’28, Lucas Bravo Ollé ’25, Caden Leader ’25, and Jackson Dressens ’27 who have collectively brought in fifteen goals and four assists, the Hawks road to playoffs is looking promising.

Lucas Bravo Ollé was also named recently the NE10 Offensive Player of the Week on October 21 with five goals and two assists putting him in fourth in the league. Alongside his teammate, Chance Prouty was named this week’s NE10 Player and Rookie of the Week, the first player in Saint Anselm Men’s Soccer history to be named both in the same week. On October 26 the Hawks faced the two-time defending NE10 and NCAA DII National Champions, Franklin Pierce. Prouty hit the turf in the last twenty one minutes of the game scoring two goals to tie the game 3-3, making it six games in a row undefeated for the Hawks.

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, for the last regular season home game, the Hawks host Robert Wesleyan on Saturday, November 2 for a non-conference game. The Hawks are eager to clinch playoffs and beat their Queen City rival, Southern New Hampshire University, currently ranked in first place, on November 6.

With the return of ten experienced players, eight freshmen, two transfers, and two returning members for a fifth year, Ethan Northcott and Zach Verow, the Hawks remain in the NE10 playoff picture standing in seventh place. “With one more win or a Saint Michael’s loss we are in, so fingers crossed” O’Brien said. Finish strong and good luck Hawks!