PDF Release
NEC Player of the Week: Alex DaCosta, BRY
NEC Rookie of the Week: Papa Ndoye, LIU & Khaled Abdella, SFBK
Previous NEC Releases: September 17 | September 10 | September 4 | Preseason Poll Release

NEC MEN'S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alex DaCosta, Bryant
Sr., F, Bristol, RI/LaSalle Academy (Providence College)
DaCosta racked up five points in a 2-0 week for the Bulldogs. The senior forward scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over UMass last Tuesday, then recorded what proved to be the game-winner and added an assist in a 2-1 win over in-state rival Brown on Sunday. The win over Brown was the program’s first-ever win against the Bears. DaCosta leads the NEC with 11 points and five assists, and is tied for the top spot with three goals. He also ranks fifth nationally with 0.83 assists per match.

NEC MEN'S SOCCER CO-ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Papa Ndoye, LIU
Fr., F, Mbour Senegal/Mbour
Ndoye notched goals in back-to-back matches against Iona and Columbia last week. The freshman forward found the back of the net against Iona on Saturday in the 21st minute, sending a low shot past a diving defender to tie the game up 1-1. In a 3-1 win over Columbia on Monday, Ndoye gave LIU an early 1-0 lead over the Lions when he leaped into the air and scored a spectacular goal with a left-footed flying volley. Ndoye paces the Sharks and is tied for the NEC lead with three goals on the year.

NEC MEN'S SOCCER CO-ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Khaled Abdella, St. Francis Brooklyn
So., F, Brooklyn, NY/Fort Hamilton
Abdella scored his first two career goals in a 2-0 week for the Terriers. The sophomore forward netted the game-winner for SFBK in a 1-0 win over Howard on Tuesday, breaking a scoreless tie in the 80th minute. On Saturday, Abdella scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 67th minute of a 3-1 win over Manhattan.

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

- Saint Francis U freshman forward Jonathan Neil (Caldon East, Ontario/Robert F. Hall) scored two goals in a 4-0 win over Rider.

- Saint Francis U junior midfielder Lucas Rosa (Atibaia, Brazil/COC Atibaia) scored two first half goals in SFU’s 4-0 win over MAAC opponent Rider on Saturday. It was the first brace of Rosa’s collegiate career.

- St. Francis Brooklyn senior goalkeeper Nico Casado (Benidoram, Spain/IES Pere Maria Orts I Bosch) picked up two wins for the Terriers including his first clean sheet of the season in his first start of the year on Tuesday at Howard.

- Bryant senior forward Alex DaCosta (Bristol, RI/Providence College) tallied five points on two goals and one assist in two wins for the Bulldogs, including two game-winning goals.

- Long Island University freshman forward Papa Ndoye (Mbour Senegal/Mbour) finished with four points in a 1-1 week for the Sharks. Ndoye scored goals in games against Iona and Columbia.

- St. Francis Brooklyn sophomore forward Khaled Abdella (Brooklyn, NY/Fort Hamilton) scored his first two career goals in a 2-0 week for the Terriers including the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over Howard.

AROUND THE NEC

- St. Francis Brooklyn is currently ranked 7th in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division I Men Northeast Region poll.

- Bryant’s 2-1 win over Brown was the first against the in-state rival in program history.

- As a team, St. Francis Brooklyn ranks tied for second in the nation in save percentage (.920).

- Sacred Heart currently ranks fifth nationall in saves per game (7.14).