Aug. 4, 2005
RICHMOND, VA--The Old Dominion University soccer Monarchswhich returns six starters from last year's 13-6-2 squad that reached the CAAfinals and earned a 12th seed in the NCAA Men's College Cup, has been pickedto finish second in the CAA for the upcoming 2005 season according to a vote of theleague's 12 head coaches.
Heading the list of returnees for ODU who earned a third straight at-largeberth to the NCAA tournament is two-time second team All-CAA forward Brian Cvilikas (Highlands Ranch, CO.), All-CAA Rookie selection David Horst (Pine Grove, PA.) and 2003 first team All-American and CAA Defender of the Year Trevor McEachron (Woodbridge, VA.) who missed last season while recovering from a knee injury.
Virginia Commonwealth, which returns seven starters from last year's teamthat reached the NCAA Men's College Cup quarterfinals has been selected first. Theyreceived eight first place votes, while ODU and James Madison each got two firstplace votes.
The CAA was the four-ranked Division I conference in the nation last season,with five teams among the top 45 in the final NCAA RPI, and seven listed among thetop 100. ODU along with VCU and JMU finished the 2005 season ranked among thenation's top 20 in various polls.
The Soccer Monarchs open the season on Aug. 20 with a home exhibition match against Virginia Tech. ODU's first regular season home match is Sept. 1 againstNorth Carolina State. The Stihl Soccer Classic is Sept. 9 against Rhode Island, and 11against Clemson. Also coming to ODU this year will be Virginia on Sept. 21.defending CAA champion Hofstra on Oct. 16, VCU on Oct. 21 and James Madison on Oct. 23.
2005 CAA MEN'S SOCCER PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL1. VCU (8 first place votes)1172. ODU (2 first place votes)1063. JMU (2 first place votes)1054. Hofstra 885. UNC Wilmington796. William & Mary747. George Mason608. Towson519. Drexel3710.Georgia State27Northeastern7212. Delaware21
Teams received 11 points for a first place vote, 10 for a second, etc. Coaches wereNot allowed to vote for their own team.