High Point, NC- The Queens University of Charlotte men's soccer team has been picked sixth in the 2010 Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll. The Royals newcomers paired with the upperclassmen will be looked upon to lead the team back to the top of the conference and in to post season play. The 11 newcomers, nine freshmen and two transfers, will add depth to the team helping them to continue the men's soccer tradition of winning.
Lees-McRae College men’s soccer team starts the 2010 season at number one. The three year reigning conference regular season champions are currently the No. 2 ranked team in the NSCAA national preseason poll. The Bobcats know they’ll be a big target in 2010 after falling in last season’s NCAA National Championship Match 1-0 to cap off their best season in school history.
The Limestone College men’s soccer team has been picked to finish second in the Conference Carolinas preseason coaches’ poll. The Saints recorded their highest conference finish last season, tying for a second place regular season finish with an 8-2 record against league opponents.
The Belmont Abbey College men’s soccer team returns most of its starters from a squad that made a magical run to last year’s Conference Carolinas championship finale and finished with a 12-7-2 overall and 4-6 league mark. The Abbey, who were seeded sixth in the conference tournament, did not allow a goal in three tournament matches as they went on the road to upset the third-seeded Pfeiffer Falcons and the second-seeded Limestone Saints, before falling at Coker in the championship on penalty kicks after both teams did not score a goal through 120 minutes.
Pfeiffer finished fourth in the poll with Coker fifth. Following Queens were Mount Olive, Erskine, St. Andrews, and Barton.
Conference Carolinas Men’s Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll (# of First Place Votes in Parenthesis)
1. Lees-McRae ……………………………………………………………………. (8) 79
2. Limestone ………………………………………………………………………. (2) 74
3. Belmont Abbey ……………………………………………………………………. 59
4. Pfeiffer ……………………………………………………………………………… 55
5. Coker ………………………………………………………………………………. 53
6. Queens……………………………………………………………………………….. 39
7. Mount Olive ………………………………………………………………………… 36
8. Erskine ………………………………………………………………………………. 26
9. St. Andrews ………………………………………………………………………….. 17
10. Barton ………………………………………………………………………………… 12