BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Navy men's soccer team was picked to finish fourth in the 2021 Patriot League regular-season standings, the league office announced Tuesday with its preseason poll. Senior defender
Matt Nocita (Porter Rach, Calif.) and sophomore midfielder
David Jackson (Cypress, Texas) were named to the Patriot League Preseason All-League Team. Additionally, Nocita was recognized as the Patriot League Preseason Defender of the Year.
Nocita earned All-Patriot League Preseason Team and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second-consecutive season after earning Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Patriot League accolades following the 2020-21 season. The senior anchored the Navy backline last season, playing 560 minutes and scoring a game-tying goal against North Carolina State.
Jackson garnered All-Patriot League Preseason Team honors for the first time in his career after leading the Navy offense in goals (2), assists (2), game-winning goals (2), points (6) and shots on goal (8). For his efforts during the 2020-21 season, Jackson earned Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors and was a Third-Team All-Patriot League selection.
Navy enters the 2021 season after posting a 4-2-1 record in a two-part 2020-21 schedule, finishing tied for second in the Patriot League South Division and narrowly missing a postseason berth in the four-team Patriot League Tournament.
Navy returns seven starters along with 11 letter winners from a year ago, along with a majority of its offense including 5-of-7 goals, 3-of-5 assists and 13-of-19 points. Navy had six different goal scorers and eight different players score a point last season.
Loyola led the Patriot League Preseason Poll with 149 points and 10 of the 20 first-place votes, while American, the reigning Patriot League Champions, finished just behind with 137 points and seven first-place votes.
Lafayette finished third in the poll with 128 points and two first-place votes while Navy was ranked fourth with 125 points and the final first-place vote. The Midshipmen were followed in the ranking by Lehigh (101 points), Colgate (75 points), Boston University (68 points), Holy Cross (44 points), Bucknell (43 points) and Army (30 points).
On the 11-man preseason team, six of the 10 programs are represented with Loyola leading the way with three players named to the preseason squad. Joining Nocita among the Preseason Player of the Year honorees were American's David Coly (Preseason Offensive Player of the Year) and Loyola's Justin Ingram (Preseason Midfielder of the Year).
The Midshipmen begin their 2021 season at UMBC on Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. following a pair of home exhibition matches against No. 21 James Madison and Drexel.
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
Nicholas Blassou, American, Sr., D
Nick Hazel, Lafayette, Sr., D
Matt Nocita, Navy, Sr., D
Chase Vosvick, Loyola Maryland, Sr., GK
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 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
