Men's Soccer Coaching Staff

Dave DeCew, Head Coach

Head Coach Dave DeCew enters his sixth season at the helm of the men’s soccer program.  DeCew continues to make strides as the men’s soccer program finished last season with a record of 11-6-1 and an impressive 8-3-1 in Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) play making their fifth straight appearance in the TCCC Playoffs. 

Over his first five seasons at New England College DeCew has compiled a 47-37-9 record and ended the Pilgrims six year playoff drought in 2003.  In 2006 DeCew led the team to their best finish in program history as he took the Pilgrims all the way to the ECAC New England Championship game. 

DeCew joined NEC from Babson College in Wellesley, MA where he was an assistant coach in both men’s soccer and baseball. In soccer, DeCew helped lead Babson to an NCAA birth in 2001, turning around a team that finished 6-11 before his arrival. He spent the majority of his time as the recruiting coordinator during his four years, but also specialized in training goalkeepers and organizing the defense.

DeCew attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME where he played both varsity soccer and baseball. In soccer DeCew was a NSCAA 1st team All-American and a NESCAC First Team member. In baseball DeCew was NESCAC player of the Year, ECAC All New-England and received the NCAA Batting Crown.

DeCew also serves at the head baseball coach at New England College.

Paul Vasquez, Assistant Coach

Paul Vasquez is entering his fifth year as an assistant coach at New England College.  He is a native of Buffalo, NY who brings a wealth of coaching experience to the NEC men’s soccer staff.  Most recently, he has been the head coach for the Under-16 New Hampshire Boys Olympic Development Program and before coming to NEC was the Head Boys Soccer Coach of nearby Hillsboro-Deering High School.  Coach Vazquez will specialize in training on the individual level, assist with practice plans and implementation, and take over some recruiting responsibilities. 

John Bavota, Assistant Coach

John Bavota enters his second season as assistant coach for the men’s soccer team.  Bavota is a 2007 graduate of New England College where he played four seasons of soccer under head coach Dave DeCew.  Over his four seasons at New England College Bavota played in 67 games and finished his career with an impressive71 points, including 29 goals and 13 assists.  Bavota was twice named to the TCCC 2nd Team All-Conference and helped lead the Pilgrims to their first ever appearance in the ECAC New England Tournament last season.

Kris Corwin, Assistant Coach

Kris Corwin enters his second season as assistant coach for the men’s soccer team.  Corwin graduated in 2007 from New England College playing two seasons for the Pilgrims after transferring from Corning Community College back in 2005.   Corwin played in a total of ten games in goal for the Pilgrims, finishing his career with a record of 4-5-1 with one shutout.  DeCew will look to Corwin to work closely with the Pilgrim goaltenders this season.