Men's Soccer Picked Fourth In 2010 WCC Coaches Poll
8/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
San Bruno, CA- The Saint Mary's men's soccer team was picked to finish fourth this season by the coaches in the West Coast Conference. In addition to the announcement of the preseason picks, seniors Dylan Leslie and Jordan Grider were named to the 2010 Preseason All-Conference Team.
Coming off a 10-5-5 season and a second place WCC finish in WCC in 2009, the Gaels received 22 points and one first place vote in the preseason poll. Saint Mary's finished the 2009 season with their first ever trip to the NCAA tournament and a school-best 10 wins. The Gaels finished with a 6-3-3 record in WCC play, second only behind San Diego.
Leslie and Grider are among 11 players chosen to the 2010 WCC Preseason All-Conference Team. Leslie received his second All-WCC First Team selection following the 2009 season. Leslie started 18 games in the midfield as a junior, notching three goals and nine assists to lead the team with 15 points. Grider comes off a successful 2009 campaign as well, after being named the WCC Defensive Player of the Year and receiving All-WCC First Team accolades. Grider was a key part of the defense that set a new Saint Mary's single-season record with seven shutouts.
Loyola Marymount garnered three first place votes and was selected as the preseason favorite in the 2010 WCC Coaches Preseason Poll. The Lions are followed in the poll by Portland, who received two first place votes. The Pilots ended the 2009 season losing in the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, and start this season as the only WCC school ranked in the top-25 of the Preseason National Soccer Coaches Association of America Poll at No. 19. San Diego was picked third in the coaches poll, as the defending WCC Champion received one first place vote. Following Saint Mary's in this year's poll are Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Gonzaga, respectively.
The Gaels kick-off the season this Saturday, Aug. 28, with an exhibition match against Sonoma State. The match is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m., and will take place at Seawolf Soccer Field on the campus of Sonoma State.
2010 WCC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Loyola Marymount 32 points (3)
2. Portland 28 (2)
3. San Diego 26 (1)
4. Saint Mary's 22 (1)
5. Santa Clara 20
6. San Francisco 12
7. Gonzaga 7
(First place votes)
2010 WCC Preseason All-Conference
Rafael Baca, Loyola Marymount
Patrick Wallen, San Diego
Erik Hurtado, Santa Clara
Bryan Burke, San Francisco
Austin Guerrero, Portland
Dylan Leslie, Saint Mary's
Jarad vanSchaik, Portland
Jordan Grider, Saint Mary's
Ryan Kawulok, Portland
Vincent Ocampo, Loyola Marymount
Eric Masch, Santa Clara
MSOC | Saint Mary's vs. LMU Game Highlights
Monday, October 20
MSOC | Game Highlights vs. Santa Clara
Thursday, October 16
MSOC | Bentley PK save and Toelhoej penalty goal, 1-1 draw vs. Seattle U
Saturday, September 27
MSOC | Saint Mary's vs. UC Davis Game Highlights
Thursday, September 04
