Big East season preview
Does Georgetown have an easy path to another Big East title?
July 11, 2024 I Jack Latterman I Big East
I would like to preface all of this by saying that this is an opinion piece. I have watched all these teams play last season and done heavy research to create this preview, but that doesn’t mean it is going to be correct… and that is what makes sports so great! My intention is not to make anyone angry with a preseason poll, as they are rarely accurate anyways. This is what I think might happen and I would love to hear if you agree or disagree.
The Big East is a conference with a few top dogs at the top, headlined by Georgetown, but lacking the depth that many of these other big soccer conferences have. In 2022, Creighton made it to the NCAA Tournament semis, when Duncan McGuire went on an absolute terror, but they struggled last season. The Hoyas were one of the nation’s top ranked teams throughout 2023, but they were upset early in the tournament. The Big East needs a big season out of a few teams to stay known as one of the better college soccer conferences.
Georgetown
Georgetown had a fantastic season in 2023, winning 13 games, including a 6-game streak of W’s in the middle of the year. They had an unfortunate end, falling to JMU in their first NCAA Tournament game.
The Hoyas had a number of players move on from the program, losing 6 starters. Jacob Murrell will be missed after his fantastic 11-goal season and the Hoya goal will be without Ryan Schewe as well.
Max Jennings and Diego Letayf will be back as leaders for this squad and Marlon Tabora will be leaned on as a goalscorer.
Although the Hoyas lost a number of key players and did not appear to use the portal much, I still trust the staff and talent that they have year after year, and see them competing for the Big East title.
Xavier
The Musketeers had an impressive season, winning the Big East Tournament and making it into the national tournament. They only lost 1 regular season conference match, which was enough to win their division as well.
Xavier is returning the vast majority of their starters from last season and will theoretically be improved from last year.
I think the Musketeers will be one of the top teams in the conference, but won’t be repeat winners.
Providence
The Friars had a successful season in 2023, winning 8 games, with 4 of those being Big East matches. They made it to the semi final of the conference tournament, but fell just short against eventual champions Xavier.
Providence are returning a number of players to their starting backline and midfield, but goalscorers Bryan McSorley and Gevork Diarbian will be tough to replace. Grad transfer Aidan Davock, who earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2023, will look to take over some of the scoring duties, while D2 transfer Israel Neto and URI transfer Kevin Castenada will add great depth in the midfield.
Providence have a tough non-conference slate, facing off with ACC schools Boston College and Syracuse, 2023 sleeper team Bryant, and CAA Champion Hofstra. With that being said, they are have a strong base of returners, with a great mix of veteran transfers, making them dangerous. I think they will finish in the top portion of the Big East and compete for the title, both in tournament and regular season play.
St. Johns
St. Johns had a solid season in 2023, winning 8 games. They had an unfortunate ending to the year, losing in the first round of the conference tournament, but have a good basis to build off.
Nicolas Fleuria Chataeu will be hard to replace after his 14-goal season in 2023, but Macoumba Ba is in line to take over the bulk of the scoring.
Goalkeeper Alec McLachian returns after starting every match last season.
Brady Geho is one to watch up front for the Red Storm. The Maryland native is a big body up front that I think will take a big leap in his second season.
I like St. Johns to be competitive and finish around the middle of the conference.
Uconn
The Huskies had a 9-win season in 2023, but struggled in matches against tournament level sides.
Besides a few guys graduating, they have the bulk of their guys coming back and have a fun mix of experience and young talent.
Uconn leading scorer Scott Testori returns after his 8 goals last year. Nicolas Tomerius also will be back to create for the Huskies.
Watch for Max Gummesson to lock down the back line after settling in well during his first year.
I like Uconn to be similar to last season where they were in most games, especially in conference play.
Creighton
The Blue Jays had a rough season in 2023, just one year removed from the incredible run to the College Cup semis.
Striker Alfie Pope is gone after his 7 goal season. They lost a few other starters sprinkled around the field as well.
Their goalkeeper as well as 2 starting defenders return. Jackson Castro stays as the teams #10 and main magician in the midfield.
Transfer Ryusei Shimonishi will be a weapon from the wing back position, after his successful seasons at Iowa Western CC.
I expect Creighton to be improved from last season and finish in the middle of the table.
Akron
The Zips started the 2023 season on fire, going unbeaten in their first 14 matches. They finished the year with 9 wins, but just 2 in Big East play.
The loss of Jason Shokalook is a gigantic one, losing his production in front of goal. He scored 11 more goals than anyone else on the squad, causing a significant lack of consistent scorers now in the squad. They also lost former captain Will Johnson and defender Joel Sangwa, who started every match.
Akron brought in transfer midfielders Maximus Barboto from NJIT, and Roberto Ydrach from UCF to fill in some of the gaps.
Jonas Buechte will be a crucial piece if Akron were to be good this season, leading the defense with many new players around him.
It is hard to think the Zips will do well after losing their only player to score more than three goals last season, but they do still have some potential after a great season. They are extremely hard for me to read.
Seton Hall
The Pirates had a solid 8-win year, winning 3 Big East matches. The stat that is a bit concerning is the fact that they went winless away from home.
Seton Hall’s two most dangerous weapons in Boote and Borg both graduated, taking their 34 combined points from 2023 with them. They also lost their starting keeper from last year.
The two Swedes Sam Bjork and Tim Strobeck will be veteran leaders on both parts of the field for this squad.
The concern is that they are without their two main scoring threats from 2023 and seem to have not brought in many replacements.
Butler
The Bulldogs didn’t have their best season in 2023, winning just 2 matches. They finished with 7 points in conference play with one win and a bunch of ties.
The biggest loss for this side is the departure of Senior leader Jack Streberger.
Palmer Ault is the danger man for Butler. The #10 scored 6 times in 2023 and will look to improve on that and lead their attack.
It will be clear pretty early how their season will go as they face some lower quality teams early, then a few Big Ten powerhouses. I think they may struggle a bit, but Ault could be a big part in this team being successful.
Villanova
The Wildcats won just 1 game last season, making it their lowest amount of wins in over 25 years. They drew 7 games, proving that they were in matches, they just didn’t have the quality or final touch to get the three points.
The ‘Cats will be without their starting goalie from 2023, as well as their 3 strongest midfielders.
Baulthi Saunders and Vincent Petrera, the teams two top scorers in 2023, are both back for their final seasons. Midfielder Branden Johns is in the same boat.
I don’t see Nova leaping all the way to the top of the table following the poor showing in 2023, but I think they will win more than one match.
DePaul
DePaul had a 3-win season last year, not finding a single win away from home. They were able to score at times in conference play, but couldn’t keep the ball out of their own net.
Starting striker Marek Gonda transfered and veteran Michael Anderson graduated. Goalkeeper Ghandi Cruz left for Oregon State as well.
Christian Baumgartner and Ethan Gordon are back in defense for DePaul.
Puerto Rican national team player Noeh Hernandez had a fantastic first season in Chicago and is back repping the #10.
I see them having a similar season to last.
Marquette
Marquette started the season with 6 wins, but cooled off after that. They won just 1 game in Big East play, which came as a major shock following the incredible start they had.
The Golden Eagles are without a slew of key pieces after 2023 starters Edrey Caceres, Beto Soto, Noah Madrigal, Jonas Moen, Christian Marquez, and Brooklyn Merl are no longer on the roster.
Abdoul Karim Pare will be one of the main playmakers up top for this side and he will need to fill the shoes of the many attackers who departed.
Grad transfer Tim Smith scored 8 goals in Division II last season and will likely have a role up front.
I am really worried about the amount of players this team lost and they lack of guys they’ve brought in. I hope I am wrong, but I think they may have a hard time in 2024.
2023 Final Standings
2024 Predictions
- Georgetown
- Providence
- Uconn
- Xavier
- St. Johns
- Akron
- Creighton
- Seton Hall
- Villanova
- Butler
- Marquette
- DePaul
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