2026 Fall Check-In: Florida Atlantic

(Photo by Lance Wendt)

For our next Fall Check-In we head down to sunny Boca Raton to see what  is going on with the Florida Atlantic Owls.  The Owls have become regulars at nationals and are looking soar to new heights in 2027.  Head coach Stavros Neocleous filled us in on how things are going this fall. 

You can check out the previous editions of the Fall Check-In series here:   Georgia, Tampa, Arizona State, Oregon, UNC Wilmington, West Virginia 

MCLA:   Your program returns a lot of firepower from last year's team, are you expecting that to carry over into 2027 with another high powered offense?

Stavros Neocleous:  We are very excited about our offense this year. We are entering into the second season of a revamped style and system. With most of our main contributors returning we feel as though we will have a bit of a leg up entering the spring season. Our newcomers have also taken very well to the system so we are very excited to add some fresh perspectives into what we want to do. MCLA:  Alex Acker had a tremendous year in goal in 2026 and you all graduated two of your leading defensemen- does it give you peace of mind to know you have Alex in goal while you work in some new defenders?

SN: We have been very lucky to have Alex in cage over the last few seasons. It becomes much easier to give our younger guys opportunities knowing they will have someone like him backstopping the team.  His knowledge of the defense is also a major benefit to our incoming players who can lean on him for on field direction when needed. MCLA:   What are the schedule highlights?  Any big trips?

SN: This year we are very lucky to have a few more home games than we are typically used to. With that said, we are doing our best to stay closer to home this year. Our biggest trip will be up to North Carolina where we will have the opportunity to play UNC- Wilmington, Coastal Carolina, and App State. MCLA:  With your top four scorers all coming back as known commodities, are there any newcomers that have caught your eye during Fall Ball or returners that look ready for a bigger role?

SN: We have quite a few incoming players on the defensive and offensive side of the ball that should be major needle movers for us this year. Blayze Rodriguez who transferred in from Lynn, Oliver Meyer and Brady McDonough from Belmont Abbey are all incoming players who will feature heavily on the offensive side, while Max Farrugia and Griffin Sheridan will be taking on bigger roles as returners. On the defensive side, expect Joseph Houk (Hood), Zamar Faith (Dominican), Carlos Montoya (Montreat), and Pierce Steele (Montana State) to all step into prominent roles. MCLA:  Your program seemed to faceoff by committee last year, is that the expectation again this year?

SN: We have a very solid crop of faceoff athletes this year, each one with a different style. We try not to predetermine roles so our expectation will be to go with whoever gives us the best chance to win game by game. I do expect to have 3 guys who are all taking reps consistently, however we will ride the hot hand when we can.