{"id":32749,"date":"2010-11-03T21:45:10","date_gmt":"2010-11-04T02:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/?p=32749"},"modified":"2010-11-03T22:01:08","modified_gmt":"2010-11-04T03:01:08","slug":"mascac-should-be-a-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2010\/11\/03\/mascac-should-be-a-battle\/","title":{"rendered":"MASCAC should be a battle"},"content":{"rendered":"
While the newly-created MASCAC still has one more year to go until NCAA tournament eligibility, there’s no shortage of story lines following what could be considered a successful debut for the conference.<\/p>\n
Salem State won the initial MASCAC championship in a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over top-seeded Fitchburg State. Overall, the conference was fairly competitive throughout the season, as the top four teams finished within five points of each other.<\/p>\n
The MASCAC also made some noise in out-of-conference play, highlighted by Salem State’s 3-0 win over host and then No. 1 St. Norbert. The conference also held its own against some of its former conference mates in the ECAC Northeast.<\/p>\n
The top four teams from last season (Fitchburg State, Salem State, Plymouth State and Westfield State) figure to be in the mix again, but look for a rebound season from Massachusetts-Dartmouth. The Corsairs posted their first losing season in coach John Rolli’s 26 years at the helm, and first overall since 1976-77.<\/p>\n
“The league is only going to get better,” Fitchburg State coach Dean Fuller said. “Salem is the team to beat and UMass-Dartmouth should rebound and be very tough. Plymouth and Westfield bring back very competitive teams with experience.”<\/p>\n
Below is a breakdown of each of the seven MASCAC teams. The teams are listed in predicted order of finish. Click on the team name for a detailed preview.<\/p>\n
Salem State<\/a> <\/strong> Though they lost four seniors, three transfers and a strong returning core should put Salem State on top again.<\/p>\n Fitchburg State<\/strong><\/a> Fitchburg returns many of the players who carried the team to first in the conference last season.<\/p>\n Plymouth State<\/strong><\/a> New coach Craig Russell expects the Panthers to be in the mix at the top of the MASCAC.<\/p>\n Westfield State<\/strong><\/a> If they can keep the penalty minutes down, Westfield State may be able to improve upon last season’s finish.<\/p>\n Massachusetts-Dartmouth<\/strong><\/a> A disappointing regular season was salvaged by a strong playoff performance. Whether the Corsairs can use that as momentum this season remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
\nLast Season:<\/strong> 15-8-4, 11-3-4, second; won MASCAC Championship
\n2010-2011 Predicted Finish:<\/strong> First
\nCoaches’ Poll:<\/strong> First<\/p>\n
\nLast Season:<\/strong> 20-6-1, 14-4, first, lost in MASCAC Championship
\n2010-2011 Predicted Finish:<\/strong> Second
\nCoaches’ Poll:<\/strong> Second<\/p>\n
\nLast Season:<\/strong> 17-9-1, 12-5-1, third, lost in MASCAC semifinals
\n2010-2011 Predicted Finish:<\/strong> Third
\nCoaches’ Poll:<\/strong> Third<\/p>\n
\nLast Season:<\/strong> 13-10-3, 10-5-3, fourth, lost in MASCAC quarterfinals
\n2010-2011 Predicted Finish:<\/strong> Fourth
\nCoaches’ Poll:<\/strong> Fourth<\/p>\n
\nLast Season:<\/strong> 11-15-1, 5-12-1, fifth, lost in MASCAC quarterfinals
\n2010-2011 Predicted Finish:<\/strong> Fifth
\nCoaches Poll:<\/strong> Fifth<\/p>\n