WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hawks men's soccer team enters the 2024 season with high expectations, looking to establish themselves as a playoff contender. Hartford finished the 2023 season with a 4-8-2 overall record, going 3-4-2 in conference play. The Hawks were not allowed to be considered for the conference tournament last year, but in 2024 Hartford is ready to compete in the newly renamed Conference of New England (CNE).

"Our biggest points of emphasis are working as hard as we can, bringing a positive attitude to practice every day, lifting each other up while giving constructive criticism and just work as hard as you can, work together. And by doing that it can help us achieve our end goals." said graduate student Trey Sadler (Newington, Conn.).

FAMILIAR FACES
Head Coach Mike Kulas enters his first season as the head coach for the Hawks having spent the last two seasons as the interim head coach for the program. Alongside Kulas, the Hawks welcome back 19 returning student-athletes.

Of these players, graduate student Alex Quinones (Bedford, N.H.) returns, having been tied for the most goals for the Hawks a season prior, whilst only playing 11 games and starting 10.

THE SENIORS
From the returning 19 are three seniors who look to lead this Hawks team to success.

Kellijah Morgan (Kingston, Jamaica) played in nine games for the Hawks a season ago, finishing the year with a goal and an assist.

"Our main goal of course, is to win. I think we have a team this year to win or to compete to win our conference... We had a good spring and a really good summer, so we're really just looking to build off that."

Dylan Jessop (Ashaway, R.I.) logged 730 minutes for the Hawks last season, menacing opposing offenses with his defensive presence.

Devan Jessop (Ashaway, R.I.) played 808 minutes in 2023, his physical defense and leadership is something the Hawks look to fuel them coming into the fall.

Another key piece returning is junior Jack Merrill (Newton, N.J.) who saw 1190 minutes of game action in 2023 and is a staple on the back-line. 

"Our day to day goals are just to get better every day and show up on the field. I see a lot of potential in us this season to improve and get better."

A NEW LOOK
The Hawks welcome eight freshmen coming into 2024, as well as three transfer student-athletes.

Goalkeepers; Christian Vitti (Stamford, Conn.), Patrick Schoellig (Stormville, N.Y.)

Defenders: Brayden Tahiliani (Whitby, Ontario), David Czubat (Rocky Hill, Conn.), Adam Eley (Newington, Conn.), Michael Padilla (New Britain, Conn. (Vermont State University - Castleton))

Midfielders: Kyle Theobald (Sandyston, N.J.) Jared Noble (Nesconset, N.Y.), Drew Cardarelli (South Gyeongsang, Republic of Korea (University of New Haven)) Austin Murawski (Rocky Hill, Conn. (Bryant University)), Nate Reynolds

LOOKING AHEAD
The Hawks 16-game season is slated to start on September 3rd, as they take on the Bears of St. Joseph's University Brooklyn at home. The Hawks start the season off with a three-game homestand as they look to get things rolling at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium.

The Hawks begin conference play on September 21st as they face Endicott College at home. Shortly after they begin a four-game road stretch starting at cross town rival Trinity College on September 30th. Before traveling to Massachusetts for some Conference of New England action with Suffolk University on October 5th, Curry College on October 11th, and wrapping it up at Nichols College on October 15th Hartford will also look to get the upper hand as they face last year's conference champions the Western New England Bears on October 22, in enemy territory.

The Hawks ranked tied for 6th in preseason polling in the CNE this year, as they look to earn their first conference title since joining NCAA Division III.

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