Men's soccer wraps up regular season Sun. with NEC's top spot up for grabs

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With just one match remaining on its regular season slate, the Bryant University men's soccer team will wrap up regular season play at Central Connecticut State, Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

With the start of the Northeast Conference Tournament exactly one week away, the Bulldogs have solidified their spot as one of the top three seeds with the chance to host the single elimination tourney (Nov. 14-16) still within reach.

On Sunday, the Black and Gold will head to New Britain, Conn., for a showdown with the 5-9-2 Blue Devils. CCSU enters Sunday's match with a 1-4-1 NEC record (tied for sixth), looking to play spoiler in both team's season finale. Senior defender Keir Hannity leads his team with 12 points on five goals and a pair of assists, while freshman midfielder Filosmar Cordeiro ranks second with seven points on two goals and three helpers. CCSU goalkeepers have combined to only allow 26 goals in 16 matches, but Central's true struggles have been on the offensive end, finding the back of the net just 16 times this season. Last season in Smithfield, Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.) was determined to get the Bulldogs into the NEC Tournament, putting down a hat trick on the Blue Devils as part of a 4-1 victory in Bryant's 2013 regular season finale.

In order for the Bulldogs to finish in first place and earn the right to host the 2014 NEC Tournament, they need a win or a tie against CCSU and they would need Saint Francis U. to either tie or lose its match against Robert Morris (Sun., 1 p.m.).

Unbeaten since Sept. 14, Bryant will look to continue its stellar play on Sunday vs. Central Connecticut as it vies for the NEC's top spot.