EASTON, Mass. (July 29, 2025) -- Four Stonehill football players have garnered selections to the Phil Steele Preseason All-NEC Team, the publication announced this week. 

Senior defense back Mo Seide and junior linebacker Charles Battaglia were tabbed to the first team, while senior defensive lineman Faisal Mass and junior offensive lineman Joshua Troiano were selected to the second team. 

Seide, an All-NEC second-team selection and an All-New England Team honoree last fall, had a standout season on defense in 2024. He led the NEC with four interceptions and ranked seventh in the conference with eight passes defended, including a team-high four pass breakups. Starting nine of the Skyhawks' 11 games at cornerback, Seide posted 32 tackles (20 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, and a fumble recovery.

Seide produced the first two-interception game for Stonehill in 11 years at Lafayette College on Nov. 16 and he added his fourth of the year at Robert Morris University in the Skyhawks season finale to give him three picks over the last two weeks of the year. Seide posted six tackles (two solo) with a fumble recovery in the Skyhawks Senior Day matchup with eventual NEC Champions Central Connecticut State University on Nov. 9. He finished with a career-high seven stops (five solo), including a career-best 2.0 for loss, a sack and pass breakup at Merrimack College on Oct. 19.

Battaglia, Jerry Rice Award finalist last year, made an immediate impact in his first collegiate season, starting the final nine games of 2024. He finished second on the team with 70 tackles, leading all NEC rookies, and ranked eighth in the conference overall. His stats included 31 solo tackles (15th in the NEC), 3.0 tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry.

In NEC play, Battaglia posted 46 tackles (16 solo), ranking sixth in the conference, and added 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a forced fumble. He recorded a season-high 13 tackles (five solo) against Central Connecticut State on Nov. 9, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. His critical fumble recovery on the goal line in the first half helped the Skyhawks shift momentum before a strong third-quarter rally. Battaglia's standout performance earned him his third NEC Rookie of the Week honor.

Mass, who was selected as a Stonehill captain for the upcoming 2025 campaign, has appeared in 22 games for the Skyhawks over the past three seasons, tallying 22 solo tackles and 20 assisted tackles, totaling 42, four of which have been for losses. Mass was ninth on the team and second among defensive linemen with 35 tackles last season. His three tackles for loss were tied for the fourth most on the Skyhawks. Mass recorded a pass deflection and a quarterback hit last season as well.

Troiano, who appeared in seven games last fall, will help anchor a Stonehill offensive line this season, as the Skyhawks will look to excel in the NEC.

The Skywhawks will open the 2025 campaign at Sacred Heart on Saturday, Aug. 30.

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