The Stonehill College men's soccer program has broken into the top five of the United Soccer Coaches Northeast regional poll for NCAA Division I, securing fifth place after a pair of opening‑season victories.
The Skyhawks opened the year with a 2‑0 win over Rhode Island before following it up with a 2‑0 triumph against Northeastern, a result that marks the team’s first back‑to‑back victories at the Division I level and its inaugural appearance in the regional rankings since the program elevated to Division I in 2010.
With a 2‑0‑0 record, the squad has posted its best start to a Division I campaign since 2010, a milestone that has energized the campus community and set a new benchmark for the program’s aspirations.
Heading the defensive effort, sophomore goalkeeper Felix van der Hagen recorded a .882 save percentage and made 15 saves across the two matches, embodying the composure and reliability that have defined the team’s early success.
Freshman midfielder Killian Doherty added a spark on the offensive side of the ball, earning both NEC Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors for his performances in the opening week.
Key Performances
Van der Hagen’s steady presence between the posts and Doherty’s dynamic midfield play have become the twin pillars of Stonehill’s early surge.