Dudley, Mass. (8/22/24) – Back for the 2024 season, the Nichols College men's soccer program looks to continue its tradition of success in the newly branded Conference of New England (CNE).
Entering his 20th season at the helm of the Men's Soccer program, head coach
Chris Traina will lead a team with a new look as they welcome 11 newcomers onto the pitch. The young squad is comprised of 21 freshman and sophomore athletes and will rely heavily on their returners as they forge forward into this new era of Bison soccer.
Returning to Traina's coaching staff as assistants are
Eric Gemboski and
Jamie Greenwood. The staff will also welcome
Matheus Campos '24 who will transition from athlete to graduate assistant on the squad.
On the pitch, 2023 CCC second-team honoree
William Pugliese-Savage will return for his senior season in the black and green. The Millbury, Massachusetts native led the team and finished third in the conference with 10 goals last season and was top-four in the CCC for points with 21. He also scored the game-winning goal in a highlight 2-1 victory over Endicott College last season.
The Bison also return the goaltending tandem of
Franco Barreto Santana and
Derek Axon, who each had a CCC defensive player of the week nod last season and split time in goal for the Bison's start eight games apiece. The duo held the Bison's GAA to under 1.50. Joining the goalie trifecta is Gorham, Maine native freshman
Ethan Homa.
The Bison open their season with a four-game road stretch, starting at Anna Maria on Friday, August 30th at 4 pm in Paxton. They open their home schedule on Saturday, September 14th with a tilt against Clark University. Their 10-game CNE schedule opens at home against the University of New England in a homecoming matchup on September 21st at noon.
For updates on this season for the Bison, follow @ncbison on X and Instagram.
