BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Loyola Maryland men’s soccer team claimed the top spot in the 2021 Patriot League preseason poll with 149 points and 10 first-place votes, when it was announced by the League office on Tuesday.
American earned the second position in the poll with 137 points and seven first-place votes, while Lafayette tallied two first-place votes and compiled 128 points for third place. Navy placed fourth with 125 points and one first-place vote, followed by Lehigh with 101 points to round out the top five. Colgate tallied 75 points for sixth place, followed by Boston University (68), Holy Cross (44), Bucknell (43), and Army West Point (30).
American senior forward David Coly, a 2020-21 second-team honoree, was named the preseason offensive player of the year, while 2020-21 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Midfielder of the Year, Loyola Maryland’s Justin Ingram received preseason midfielder of the year recognition. The 2020-21 co-defensive player of the year, Navy senior defender Matt Nocita earned preseason defensive player of the year.
The Greyhounds led the way with three student-athletes on the preseason All-League team, including Ingram, graduate students forward Sam Brown and goalkeeper Chase Vosvick. American, Lehigh and Navy placed two players each, while Army West Point and Lafayette had one apiece. American’s Coly was joined on the preseason squad by teammate senior defender Nicolas Blassou, Lehigh’s senior forward Josh Luchini and graduate student midfielder Stevo Bednarsky and Navy’s Nocita and sophomore midfielder David Jackson. Army senior midfielder Oscar Pereira and Lafayette senior defender Nick Hazel round out the 11-member team.
Ten of the 11 preseason all-league members were named to the 2020-21 Patriot League Men’s Soccer first-, second-, or third All-Patriot League teams, with five on the first team, four on the second team and one on the third team. Bednarsky, Ingram, Hazel, Nocita, and Vosvick were on the 2020-21 first team, while Coly, Brown, Pereira and Blassou earned second-team honors, and Jackson received third-team recognition.
The preseason poll and individual awards were voted on by the men’s soccer coaches and sports information directors from each institution, with restrictions on voting for their team and student-athletes.
2021 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
David Coly, American, Sr., F, Dakar, Senegal/Mercersburg Academy
* Coly finished the 2020-21 season leading with the Patriot League in points (14) and goals (7).
* The senior forward ended the season on a six-game goal streak to have the longest scoring streak for an American University men’s soccer player since 2001.
* Coly averaged 0.78 goals per game, which is good for ninth in the nation.
* Coly’s 2020-21 accolades include Patriot League Men’s Soccer Tournament Most Valuable Player, Second Team All-Patriot League member and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Atlantic Region.
2021 Patriot League Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Justin Ingram, Loyola Maryland, Gr., M, Indianapolis, Ind./Pike (University of Virginia)
* Last season, Ingram led the Greyhounds in points (9), goals (3) and assists (3) in six games played.
* Ingram’s nine points and three assists were both tied for second in the conference.
* Ingram’s spring 2021 accolades include Patriot League Midfielder of the Year, All-Patriot League First Team honoree, Patriot League All-Tournament Team member and United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Atlantic Region.
2021 Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Matt Nocita, Navy, Sr., D, Porter Ranch, Calif./Oaks Christian
* Nocita was part of a backline that allowed only four League-play goals and six overall last season.
* Nocita scored one goal last season with a game-tying tally against North Carolina State.
* Nocita was named the League’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the 2020-21 season, along with garnering first-team All-League laurels.
* The senior was also named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team, the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team, the CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team, and the United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Atlantic Region in the 2020-21 season.
2021 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: David Coly, American, Sr., F
2021 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Justin Ingram, Loyola Maryland, Gr., M
2021 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Nocita, Navy, Sr., D
2021 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Preseason All-League Team
David Coly, American, Sr., F
Josh Luchini, Lehigh, Sr., F
Sam Brown, Loyola Maryland, Gr., F
Oscar Pereira, Army West Point, Sr., M
Stevo Bednarsky, Lehigh, Gr., M
Justin Ingram, Loyola Maryland, Gr., M
David Jackson, Navy, So., M
Nicolas Blassou, American, Sr., D
Nick Hazel, Lafayette, Sr., D
Matt Nocita, Navy, Sr., D
Chase Vosvick, Loyola Maryland, Gr., GK
2021 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Loyola Maryland – 149 (10 first-place votes)
American – 137 (7)
Lafayette – 128 (2)
Navy – 125 (1)
Lehigh – 101
Colgate – 75
Boston University – 68
Holy Cross – 44
Bucknell – 43
Army West Point – 30
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.