Eastern Nazarene Claims NECC Men’s Champions Cup, Finishes Second in Women’s Champions Cup Standings
MANSFIELD, Mass.- In just its second year as a full league member, Eastern Nazarene College captured its first-ever New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Men's Champions Cup while also finishing second in the Women's Champions Cup standings. The NECC Champions Cups were awarded based on final standings through the winter season.
The Lions' men's athletic programs combined for score of .790 points while the women's athletic programs amassed .670 total points to finish behind New England College.
"It is exciting to celebrate the efforts of our athletes, coaches, and athletic staff in accomplishing this significant award," said Eastern Nazarene Director of Athletics, Dr. Brad Zarges. "As a department, we have committed to pursue excellence with a comprehensively competitive mindset. The NECC Champions Cup is an excellent way to capture what has been an incredible year of success across all of Eastern Nazarene College athletics."
Eastern Nazarene maintained its stronghold on the top spot in the Men's Champions Cup standings after holding a 140-point margin while ranking fourth in the Women's Champions Cup standings heading into the winter season.
The Lions' men's teams enjoyed a successful fall season which yielded one conference title and one runner-up finish. The ENC men's soccer team stormed through the NECC playoffs to clinch its first-ever NECC crown – outscoring opponents 11-2 in three contests. The Lions' men's cross country team impressed at the NECC Championship meet, finishing second after four runners earned all-conference honors.
The Eastern Nazarene women's athletic teams also posted a successful fall campaign, highlighted by the Lions' women's volleyball team claiming its first-ever NECC title. After earning the No. 1 seed in the NECC Tournament for the second year in a row, Eastern Nazarene achieved redemption by topping New England College 3-1 in the NECC finals at the Lahue Physical Education Center. The Lions' women's soccer team secured its second-straight NECC Tournament berth after notching a pair of key conference victories late in October.
In the winter season, both ENC basketball squads qualified for the NECC playoffs after posting strong regular-season performances. The Lions' women's basketball team clinched the top seed in the NECC Tournament and advanced to the NECC championship game for the first time in program history while the men's basketball team reached the NECC Tournament semifinals for the second-consecutive year.
2019-2020 Men's Champions Cup Standings
1. Eastern Nazarene- .790
2. New England College- .710
3. Mitchell- .565
4. Dean- .516
5. Elms- .468
6. Lesley- .452
7. Becker- .173
2019-2020 Women's Champions Cup Standings
1. New England College- .705
2. Eastern Nazarene- .670
3. Elms- .582
4. Mitchell- .447
5. Becker- .438
6. Lesley- .436
7. Dean- .270
8. Bay Path- .191