The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Soccer team returns to action for the 2019 season with a very talented and veteran-laden roster, in the hopes of an extended postseason run. The Spartans were selected 3rd in the annual ECC preseason coaches poll selected released on Wednesday afternoon.
In 2018, STAC finished with an overall record of 10-6-1 and a 6-3 mark in ECC play. Finishing fourth in the conference, the Spartans returned to the postseason for the first time since 2016, facing off with top seed and NCAA Tournament participant Mercy College. St. Thomas Aquinas' season ended at the hands of the Mavericks by score of 5-2.
The Spartans return only one of their top three scorers from a season ago; Lachlan Wilkinson (4 goals/10 points). Also rejoining the team for the 2019 campaign will be; Luis Camejo, Jack Hanlon, Evan McPhail, Aljaz Mak, Jonathan Garces, Alejandro Camejo, Omar Rodriguez, Clifford Adjei, Makendy Midouin, Nicholas Fiore, Federico Scaglioni, Jose Robles, Devin Lukeman, Andrew Brooks, Cameron Turner and Elias Kallianiotis.
The biggest storyline for STAC this coming season will be in net, as the 4-year collegiate career of keeper Jack Nicholson came to a close last season. However, the Spartans will look to write a new chapter in the program's history between the pipes by utilizing the services of veteran Cameron Turner, along with new comers; Brian Hamerman, Martin Ek Asheim and Zachary Martin. Additionally, a good mix of freshmen and upperclassmen in; Maximilian Heuter, Tylor Saraiva, Paul Renaldo, Nikita Pyatetskiy, Sung Min Cho, Marlon Rowe. Sergio Garcia-Santamarina Martin, Juan Pablo Cedeno Varea, Amaan Aslam, Jorge Umana Mazariego, Ludvig Hellman, Matthew Bulic, Eric Birighitti, Leonardo Osawa, Ryan Collins, Alexander Taylor. Anthony Bolivar Sanchez and William Brennan will look to provide additional talent and depth at all positions on the pitch.
Head Coach Graham Brown will once again patrol the STAC sideline this season. Assistant coaches Adrian Palau and Andres Gomez also return, while George Prepis, Kenneth Caraballo, Alejandro Coyt-Orozco, Chris Nichol and Jack Carillo come on board for their first season with the maroon and gold.
St. Thomas Aquinas College will open their 2019 season on the road at St. Michael's College on September 5th. STAC will open the home portion of their schedule at Spartan Field on September 16th, as they host the College of Staten Island.
2019 ECC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
| School | Pts. | 2018 Record |
| 1. Mercy (8) | 80 | 13-4-1 (7-2-0 ECC) |
| 2. Queens | 68 | 10-4-3 (6-2-1 ECC) |
| T3. New York Tech | 52 | 8-7-1 (3-5-1 ECC) |
| T3. St. Thomas Aquinas | 52 | 10-6-1 (6-3-0 ECC) |
| 5. Bridgeport | 51 | 10-4-1 (5-3-1 ECC) |
| 6. District of Columbia | 41 | 6-10-1 (4-5-0 ECC) |
| 7. Molloy (1) | 26 | 2-15-0 (0-9-0 ECC) |
| 8. Daemen | 22 | 5-12-0 (3-6-0 ECC) |
| 9. Roberts Wesleyan | 13 | 5-8-3 (2-6-1 ECC) |
() - first place votes