EDISON, NJ (Nov. 13, 2026) – The 2026 Metro Men’s Soccer Championship Final is set for Saturday evening, as No. 4 Sacred Heart hosts No. 6 Merrimack in Fairfield, CT. Both programs will compete for their first Metro Conference championship title since joining the conference in 2024.
Sacred Heart has advanced to the championship in each of its three seasons as a conference member. The Pioneers fell in the quarterfinals during their inaugural season in 2024 before reaching the semifinals in 2025, where they were defeated by Fairfield. This season marks Merrimack’s first appearance in the
Metro Men’s Soccer Championship and its first trip to the championship final.
Both teams earned their place in Saturday’s final with semifinal upsets. Sacred Heart defeated No. 2 Marist, while Merrimack knocked off top-seeded Fairfield to advance. The two programs first met during the regular season on Sept. 19 in North Andover, MA, playing to a 1-1 draw in their conference opener.
Both teams have recorded shutouts during their respective championship runs, setting the stage for a final in which one side’s shutout streak will come to an end.
Saturday’s championship final will stream live on ESPN+. The winner will earn the Metro Conference’s automatic qualifier (AQ) to the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship.
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Team Previews
2026 Metro Men's Soccer Championship
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(4) Sacred Heart
8-5-7 overall | 4-2-4 Metro | 16 pts.
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Makes its first appearance in the Metro Championship Final since joining the conference in 2024.
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Season leaders
| Points |
Danny Istambouli |
17 |
| Goals |
Danny Istambouli |
7 |
| Assists |
Brady Poor |
3 |
| Saves |
Anthony Suarez |
56 |
Head coach
Anthony Anzevui
5th season | 36-32-20
Won 2025 conference Coach of the Year award.
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Notes
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Enters the championship final riding a six-game winning streak. |
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Has yet to concede a goal during the championship, recording its sixth consecutive shutout. |
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Danny Istambouli and Daniel Losfablos earned All-Metro First Team honors. |
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Goalkeeper Anthony Suarez ranks second in the conference with seven shutouts. |
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(6) Merrimack
7-3-9 overall | 3-1-6 Metro | 15 pts.
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Makes its first appearance in the Metro Championship since joining the conference in 2024.
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Season leaders
| Points |
Jonathan Kratz |
13 |
| Goals |
Jonathan Kratz |
6 |
| Assists |
Ziad Barakat |
5 |
| Saves |
Matteo Malaguti |
62 |
Head coach
Tony Martone
45th season | 439-326-79
Is among the longest-tenured head coaches in NCAA Division I men's soccer history.
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Notes
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Enters the championship final riding a three-game winning streak. |
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Goalkeeper Matteo Malaguti ranks fourth nationally with eight shutouts, including two during postseason play. |
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Merrimack and Sacred Heart have split their three meetings since joining the conference, with each team earning one win, one loss, and one draw. |
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Nicolo Vallocchia and Rocco DelGiudice earned All-Metro Second Team honors. |
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Metro Conference | TheMetro.org | @MetroConfSports
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