Top five players primed for big sophomore seasons in the America East Conference:

F Jake Keegan, Binghamton: Keegan was a force from the very beginning. He had long established himself as a serious youth player in New York before he’d arrived and he certainly didn’t disappoint.

Keegan was appointed a starter from Day one, where he stayed the entire season, and he finished with a team-high seven goals and 17 points.

Berian Gobeil

M Leonardo Fernandes, Stony Brook: Stony Brook enjoyed a tremendous recruiting class this past year, and Fernandes was a major reason why. A potent attacker, he wasted no time getting adjusted and finished the year with a team-leading seven goals and 16 assists.

His goal total tied the program record for most by a freshman and his performance on the field earned him conference second-team honors, also a rarity for a freshman.  

F Berian Gobeil, Stony Brook: A running mate of Fernandes’, Gobeil also had a head-turning entrance into the program and was one of the reasons the Seawolves had one of the more aggressive offenses in the conference.

A Canadian import, Gobeil contributed five goals, 12 points and 38 shots. He also played in all 20 games as Stony Brook leaned on its talented freshman duo.

M Ade Akinsanya, Boston University: Hailing from the San Juan Lightning, Akinsanya entered the collegiate level with the right amount of preparedness. Having played with top players like Amobi Okugu during his club career and on youth national teams, Akinsanya was ready for the big time.

He played with poise and consequently was the only rookie on the team to start in all 18 games. He’ll only be stronger in 2010.

M James Stamopolous, Hartford: Another great Canadian prospect, Stamopolous arrived from Ontario and really earned his keep. A product of Canadian Youth national teams, he provided four assists and a goal to help Hartford finish second in the America East Conference.

It bodes well for the upcoming season.