Hawks keeper John MacLeod made three saves on the afternoon, while Horton finished with four. Cannon was quick to point out that it was the Hawks nucleus that remained from last season that propelled the Hawks to back to back titles, players such as Irwin and Karalexis, as well as standout play from O'Sullivan, Bagley and Kinney, three players that return next season. Some people thought that after last season, we might take a step back. We lost seven seniors last season but that nucleus has remained. I'm hoping we'll be in position for another good run next year.
Next year is still a ways away.
For now, the Hawks still have their eyes on next week, whether next week is an NCAA berth or a defense of Saint Anselm's 1998 ECAC Division II Championship. Saint Anselm, as they have for two seasons, are bidding to become the first NE-10 men's soccer program ever to earn an invitation to the NCAA tournament. And, as Cannon noted, in a season in which so much resembles last year's great run, an NCAA bid would be a nice change to the script. The Hawks were ranked third in the New England region behind New Hampshire College and Southern Connecticut State. Two teams earn NCAA bids.