BOSTON -- The Bryant men's soccer team was picked to finish third, while graduate students Marc Pitarch Bayot, Santiago Blasco Gomez and Tibo Jacobs were named to the preseason All-America East team, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Defending National Champion Vermont was the unanimous favorite and received seven first-place votes. New Hampshire was selected second, while the Black and Gold received the final first place vote and was picked third. UMBC, NJIT, Binghamton, UMass Lowell and UAlbany rounded out the eight-team poll. UVM defeated Bryant 2-1 in the 2024 America East Championship game.

Pitarch, Gomez and Jacobs were named to the 11-man preseason All-America East team. Bryant's three selections were the second-most in the conference (Vermont - 5). 

One the league's premier scorers over the last two seasons, Pitarch returns for his final collegiate season with 50 points (20g, 10a) in 38 career games as a Bulldog. He currently ranks second in DI program history in both points and goals and is the only player in DI program history with back-to-back 20-point seasons. Pitarch finished with 22 points (9g, 4a) in 2024, finishing fourth in the America East in both categories. 

Gomez emerged as a key part of Bryant's defensive efforts in 2024, starting 19 games. He scored his first goal as a Bulldog in the America East Quarterfinals, while helping Bryant allow a league-best 13 goals (0.65) on the year. 

Jacobs appeared in 17 games and made 13 starts last season for Bryant. He helped the Bulldogs allow just eight shots per game on the year. 

Bryant opens the 2025 season on August 21 when it hosts LIU at Beirne Stadium.