IRVING, Texas - Defending regular-season champion Charlotte has been selected to repeat as the coaches’ preseason favorite to win the Conference USA men’s soccer title in 2015, while Old Dominion was predicted to finish fourth. Senior standout Kyle Parker of the 49ers has been voted the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Kentucky senior goalkeeper Callum Irving collects the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Earlier this week, ODU head coach Alan Dawson and his Soccer Monarchs were ranked No. 24 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Preseason Rankings.
ODU returns its second and third leading scorers from last season in Ryan Condotta and Jesse Miralrio, as well as redshirt junior goalkeeper, Alex Tiesenhausen. All three were named Third-Team All-Conference USA while Tyler Edwards was named to the All-Freshman team.
The 2014 C-USA Tournament champions open the regular season on Aug. 28 against Coastal Carolina at the ODU Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.
Parker played an integral role in helping the 49ers capture the 2014 Conference USA regular-season title and earn the No. 10 overall seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament. The junior was named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and Conference USA Co-Offensive MVP, as well as to the All-C-USA first team and C-USA all-tournament team. Parker finished the season with nine goals and seven assists to lead the league with 25 points. He is joined on the preseason team by teammates Biko-Bradnock Brennan and Brandt Bronico, who were both All-Conference USA first-team selections a year ago.
Irving collected a league-high three Conference USA specialty awards in 2014 – C-USA Player of the Year, Defensive MVP and winner of the inaugural Golden Glove Award for posting the most shutouts (five) in C-USA play. In addition, Irving was tabbed a Third-Team NSCAA All-America as well as being named an NSCAA Scholar All-America. For the season, he tied for ninth in the NCAA with 10 solo shutouts, was 23rd in goals-against average (0.77) and 43rd in save percentage (.803). Irving is one of three Wildcats, who placed third in the preseason poll, representing UK. Returning All-Conference USA first-team selections Napo Matsoso and Jordan Wilson were voted onto the preseason squad. As sophomores last year, each earned a C-USA Player of the Week honor.
New Mexico claimed the No. 2 slot in the poll and placed two representatives on the preseason team. Juniors Chris Wehan and Niko Hansen are standouts for the Lobos. Wehan was the team’s leading scorer with 10 goals a year ago, earning a spot on the All-Conference USA first-team, while Hansen finished second on the team in scoring.
Defending C-USA champion Old Dominion was picked fourth by the coaches, followed by UAB in fifth place. Blazer senior forward Freddy Ruiz earned his spot on the preseason team after earning Co-Offensive MVP honors with Parker last season. A two-time member of the All-Conference USA first team, Ruiz ranked among the top 40 nationally in scoring with a team-best 22 points.
Rounding out the 11-man preseason team are juniors Marvin Hezel of FIU and Daniel Jodah of Marshall. Hezel started all 16 games in the center back position for the Panthers, while Jodah scored a team-high five goals for the Thundering Herd last season.
The top seven teams at the conclusion of the regular season will earn a spot in the 2015 Conference USA Men's Soccer Championship, hosted by Charlotte Nov. 11-15 at Transamerica Field. The league's 21st season kicks off Friday, Aug. 28.
2015 C-USA PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kyle Parker | Charlotte | Sr. | F | Marvin, North Carolina
2015 C-USA PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Callum Irving | Kentucky | Sr. | GK | Vancouver, British Columbia
2015 C-USA PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Biko Bradnock-Brennan | Charlotte | Sr. | D | Cork, Ireland
Brandt Bronico | Charlotte | Jr. | MF | High Point, North Carolina
Kyle Parker | Charlotte | Sr. | F | Marvin, North Carolina
Marvin Hezel | FIU | Jr. | D | Waldshut, Germany
Callum Irving | Kentucky | Sr. | GK | Vancouver, British Columbia
Napo Matsoso | Kentucky | Jr. | MF | Louisville, Kentucky
Jordan Wilson | Kentucky | Jr. | D | Auchterarder, Scotland
Daniel Jodah | Marshall | Jr. | MF/F | Mississauga, Ontario
Niko Hansen | New Mexico | Jr. | MF/F | Sacramento, California
Chris Wehan | New Mexico | R-Jr. | MF | Laguna Niguel, California
Freddy Ruiz | UAB | Sr. | F | Fort Payne, Alabama
2015 C-USA MEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
(as selected by C-USA coaches)
1. Charlotte (6)
2. New Mexico (1)
3. Kentucky (1)
4. Old Dominion
5. UAB (1)
6. FIU
7. South Carolina
8. Marshall
9. Florida Atlantic
(#) – Designates first-place votes
FOLLOW US, LIKE US
Fans can follow C-USA online on Twitter (@Conference_USA or @CUSASoccer) with the hashtag #CUSAMSOC or #BeTheNext, on Facebook (facebook.com/ConferenceUSA) and Instagram (ConferenceUSA).