PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Big Ten announced its Preseason Players to Watch Tuesday afternoon, which included goalkeeper Ciaran Dalton, defender Nick Collins and forward transfer Joschi Schelb.
Dalton played every minute of all 17 games of the 2024 fall season. He finished the slate with 65 saves to rank second in the Big Ten and mark his single season high. He earned two shutouts at Lehigh (Sept. 2) and Michigan State (Nov. 3), his most in a single campaign.
Dalton recorded a season best eight saves at Providence (Sept. 6) and made 3+ saves in 12 contests. He currently sits tied for 10th on the all-time career saves list with 171 stops.
Last fall, Collins started all 16 matches he was available for. He netted his first career goal at Penn State (Oct. 7) to end the season with two points. Collins registered 17 total shots and put five on frame.
Collins had an exciting off season as well, as he was drafted 85th overall by Minnesota United FC in the 2024 MLS Super Draft.
Schelb comes "On The Banks" after two standout seasons at Saint Francis (PA). Hailing from Freiburg, Germany, he was an All-NEC First Team selection after recording 10 goals and eight assists for 28 points. He ended his sophomore campaign with the fifth highest single season points total in program history.
Schelb was named NEC Player of the Week three times, a NEC Prime Performer five times in addition to a CSC Academic All-District Team selection.
The conference also announced 2025 Preseason Poll:
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Ohio State
- UCLA
- Washington
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Wisconsin
- Rutgers
- Penn State
- Northwestern
The Scarlet Knights will open the 2025 campaign on Aug. 21 against Providence at 6:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
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