Complete release: http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/080614aab.html
IRVING, Texas – The Old Dominion University men’s soccer squad has been picked fourth in Conference USA and New Mexico, last year’s College Cup semifinalist has been picked to repeat as C-USA men's soccer champion in a preseason vote of the league's head coaches.
The Monarchs return seven lettermen from last year’s 11-6-1 squad that finished second in the regular season and advanced to the NCAA second round. Under the direction of ODU head coach Alan Dawson, the Monarchs have advanced to the NCAA tournament four consecutive years and 10 of the last 12. Dawson (322-134-41) enters the season as the nation’s 13th winningest active NCAA coach.
The top returnees include: Ryan Condotta (Jr. MF); Skylar Hagan (Sr. MF), Geoffrey Hill (Jr., MF.); Nick Hutchinson (So. F/MF); Ivan Militar (Sr, F.); Jesse Miralrio (So, F); Michael Nelson (Jr. D.); Cole Stringer (So. MF) and Nate Foglesong (Sr. D). Miralrio and Stringer were C-USA All-Freshmen selections.
The Monarchs open the 2014 season on Aug. 16th with an exhibition against Duke. The regular season opener is Aug. 29 at Virginia while the regular season home opener is Sept. 5th against North Carolina in the 38th annual Stihl Soccer Classic.
UAB junior forward Freddy Ruiz was tabbed the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while South Carolina junior defender Mahamoudou Kaba was voted the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
The top seven teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the Conference USA Men's Soccer Championship, hosted by Old Dominion Nov. 12-16 at the Old Dominion Soccer Complex.
2014 Preseason C-USA Men's Soccer Poll
1. New Mexico (7)
2. Charlotte (1)
3. UAB (1)
4. Old Dominion
5. South Carolina
6. Kentucky
7. FIU
8. Marshall
9. Florida Atlantic
(#) - designates first-place votes
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Freddy Ruiz, F, UAB
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Mahamoudou Kaba, D, South Carolina