
Boston College
2016: 9-9-3 (3-3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference, fifth place Atlantic Division), lost NCAA tournament second round
Coach: Ed Kelly (30th year, 271-217-59)
Players to watch: Trevor Davock (Medway, Mass.), jr, F; Cedric Saladin, jr., GK; Simon Enstrom, jr., F: Younes Boudadi, soph., D; Tomas Gudmundsson, sr., D
Outlook: The bar always is set high for the Eagles, and 2017 seems to be no different after they advanced to the NCAA tournament last year for the eighth time since 2007. Pressure is ramped up on the offensive side, as Kelly’s side will look to replace Zeiko Lewis, their creative force who plays for New York Red Bulls II of the USL. Stepping up to the plate likely will be Davock and Enstrom, a duo which was combined for 20 goals and 14 assists the past two years. And, if all goes awry, BC can rest easy knowing that it has Saladin, a nine-year veteran of the FC Basel youth system in Switzerland, in goal.
Boston University
2016: 8-6-3 (4-3-2 Patriot League, fourth place), lost Patriot League quarterfinals
Coach: Neil Roberts (33rd year, 351-188-84)
Players to watch: Jerry Ozor, soph., M; Adam Sheikali, sr., D; Eric Udelson (Needham, Mass.), sr., M; Matt McDonnell, soph., F; David Amirani, sr., M
Outlook: Always in the Patriot League mix, 2017 could be a down year for the Terriers — both at Nickerson Field and beyond. Anthony Viteri, a two-time NSCAA All-Region first-team honoree, won’t play due to concussions, and they’ve graduated their starting striker, center back and goalie from 2016. They are big holes and Roberts will have to get creative with his tactics. Look for Ozor and McDonnell to pick up of the offensive slack, as they combined for three goals and seven assists last year as freshmen. A wild card could be Austin D’Anna, a freshman forward from Florida.
Brown
2016: 8-8-1 (3-3-1 Ivy League, fourth place)
Coach: Patrick Laughlin (eighth year, 67-38-22)
Players to watch: Nico Lozada, sr., M; Louis Zingas, sr. D; Jack Hagstrom, jr., D; Justin O’Brien, jr., D; Carson Atherley (Bangor, Maine), fr., M
Outlook: Brown, under Laughlin, has struggled to replicate the success it found under long-time coach Mike Noonan, now at Clemson. Early predictions are those ups and downs are starting to slowly fade away in Providence, R.I., as the Bears return a strong core and are primed to compete in what looks to be a wide-open Ivy League. Their creative force is Lozada, a midfielder who came into his own last year to the tune of two goals and six assists. One to keep an eye on is Atherley, a freshman holding midfielder who was a NSCAA High School All-American pick.