BIDDEFORD — Things didn’t go smoothly in Matt Gnall’s first two years as head coach of the University of New England men’s soccer team. The team won three games and four games, respectively, in those first two seasons. But Gnall said he is hoping that some familiarity between the players will help build the solid foundation for which the program has been looking.

“We’re very optimistic about what our potential is this year,” said Gnall. “We have a great group coming back, and we have a little bit of consistency within the program for the first time since I’ve been here.”

Gnall finally has a group that has been in the program for a few years, and knows what to expect from their coach.

“I think that’s the biggest thing for us, having guys who are familiar with me, familiar with the program that I run,” said Gnall. “Guys that have really bought into some of the elements that we’ve tried to implement since I’ve been here. Guys who are loyal to me, and guys who I trust, as well, to really take care of the team atmosphere, and to really build the kind of environment that guys are going to succeed in.”

Two of those guys that Gnall speaks of are co-captains Ethan Wells and Riley Goodrich, who are the only seniors on the team. Gnall said the tandem will be relied upon to be “coaches on the field.”

Another player who will be relied upon heavily is sophomore goalie Aidan McParland, who Gnall said is one of the best in the conference.

McParland spent the summer playing with the Portland Phoenix, a Professional Development League team, an experience which Gnall said he thinks will be invaluable for McParland and the team as a whole.

“It was tremendous for him. He was the youngest player of that team, playing with a number of accomplished Division I, Division II (players), and former pros from Europe and Australia. So getting thrown into that professional environment was something that he really thrived on,” said Gnall. “And obviously the speed of play at that level is so much faster. For a young goalkeeper, playing at that speed is only going to help his decision making at our level, in Division III.”

The Nor’easters were picked to finish eighth in the Commonwealth Coast Conference preseason poll, which is right on par for where the team has been lately. The program has never finished higher than eighth since joining the conference. Gnall said he likes the idea that his team will be looked upon as underdogs.

“We’re looking forward to kind of coming (in) under the radar, and having that element of surprise,” he said. “I think a lot of people are going to be a little bit shocked at how we’ve upped the talent level around this program, and some of the players that we’ve been able to bring in.”

UNE begins its season Aug. 31 at home against Maine Maritime, and opens up conference play on the road at Western New England on Sept. 15.

— Contact Wil Kramlich at 282-1535, Ext. 323.