Drew Holds Top Spot In Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

MADISON, N.J. – Defending Landmark Conference Men’s Soccer Champions Drew University has been named the favorite to earn the 2008 title as selected in the Landmark Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll. The head men’s soccer coaches and sports information directors at each institution that sponsors the sport were polled for the preseason ballot.

In a tight vote that reflected the competitiveness of the 2007 season the Rangers claimed the top spot with 83 points. The United States Merchant Marine Academy, which finished atop the regular-season conference standings in 2007, finished second in the poll with 75 points, while Susquehanna University was just three points behind in third place with 72. The University of Scranton rounded out the top-half of the poll by capturing 64 points in the voting.

Drew lost just two players from a team that claimed the first Landmark Championship and reached the finals of the ECAC metro championships, finishing with an overall record of 14-8 and a 5-2 mark in conference play. All-Region selections Dan Bonder and Jeff Rogers highlight the returnees.

USMMA was 6-1 in Landmark competition last season and finished the year 11-6 overall. Five seniors depart from a year ago, including the Landmark Defensive Player of the Year, but the team does bring back five All-Conference picks including first-team honorees Preston Stokes, Clint Foster and Chris Flanagan.

Susquehanna was a Landmark postseason participant in 2007 when the team finished 9-7-2 overall and 4-2-1 in the conference. Jim Robertiello was the Landmark Rookie of the Year, and he and fellow freshman Rhyan Nelson were the team’s top goal scorers and are two of the five returning All-Conference players.

Scranton reached the Landmark title match in 2007 and finished with a 9-8-1 record, 4-3 in the Landmark. The Royals must replace two starters, one of which was the Landmark Offensive Player of the Year, but the team brings back first-team All-Conference picks John Postel and Gary Racich.

Moravian College narrowly grabbed the fifth spot in the poll with 38 points after going 7-11 overall, 3-4 in Landmark action last season. Four senior starters must be replaced for the Greyhounds but all but two of the team’s seven goal scorers will be back led by top scorer and All-Conference honoree Louis Dollarton.

With 37 points, The Catholic University of America holds down the sixth spot in the poll. Leading goal scorer and All-Conference pick Brian Pappas helped Catholic to a 6-10 record in the first year under Head Coach Travis Beauchamp. The Cardinals will have to find replacements for five departed seniors.

Goucher College is just one point behind Catholic with 36 points in the voting. The Gophers finished strong in 2007 as they won or tied four of their last five matches to finish the year 8-9-1 and 2-4-1 in conference. All-Conference midfielder Galen Guindon is one of seven starters back for the 2008 season.

Juniata College rounds out the poll with 15 points after the Eagles compiled a 1-6 Landmark record and a 3-14 mark overall in 2007. Eight starters return for the team, even with the graduation of five seniors, and among the starters is first-team All-Conference honoree Bryan Hess.

The 2008 season opens with Moravian competing on August 29, while the Landmark opener will see USMMA travel to Scranton on September 20.