NEC Release
 
Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men's soccer team was selected to finish sixth according to the 2014 Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll. Central Connecticut State, the reigning NEC regular season champions, received three first-place votes and is selected to defend its title in 2014.
 
Fairleigh Dickinson received two first-place votes and is second in the poll followed by Saint Francis University. Bryant is fourth with one top vote while St. Francis Brooklyn, the 2013 tournament champion, earned two first-place votes and is fifth. Robert Morris is next in sixth followed by Sacred Heart and LIU Brooklyn.
 
The Colonials return nine starters from a 2013 squad that posted a record of 8-8-2 and went 2-5 in league games. Robert Morris led the NEC in points (104), goals (34) and assists (36).
 
Junior Neco Brett highlights the returners. The reigning NEC Player of the Year was an NSCAA / Continental Tire All-North Atlantic Region First Team selection and named to the College Sports Madness All-American Fourth Team. Brett was the NCAA's top scorer in the regular season finishing with 36 points on 14 goals and eight assists.
 
Senior midfielder Devon Williams and junior midfielder Bruce Cullen are also back in the mix after earning All-NEC accolades in 2013. Cullen, an outside midfielder, led the league with nine assists and added four goals to finish second on the squad with 17 points. Williams controlled the center of the RMU midfield and had 10 points with six assists and two goals.
 
Sophomore Joseph Kuta returns in net where he started all but one game during his freshman campaign. He posted a 1.32 goals against average and a .709 save percentage while recording four shutouts.
 
The Colonials open the 2014 slate on Friday, Aug. 29, when they host Hartwick in a 2:00 p.m. game at North Athletic Complex.
 
2014 Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll 
1. Central Connecticut (3)
2. Fairleigh Dickinson (2)
3. Saint Francis U
4. Bryant (1)
5. St. Francis Brooklyn (2)
6. Robert Morris
7. Sacred Heart
8. LIU Brooklyn