MSOC | Gaels Picked Third, Rudel Selected in Preseason Poll
8/16/2018 1:01:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Saint Mary's was picked to finish third in this year's WCC Preseason Poll while forward Jake Rudel was selected to his first ever All-WCC Preseason Team.
SAN BRUNO, Calif. — The West Coast Conference announced their 2018 men's soccer preseason coaches poll today and Saint Mary's was selected to finish third in the standings. Jake Rudel, the Gaels' leading scorer from last season, was also one of 11 players selected to the All-WCC Preseason Team.
SMC received 32 total points, including one first place vote, to finish behind only Pacific, picked to win the WCC, and the runner-up, Portland. The Tigers received four first place ballots while collecting 44 points and the Pilots ranked just behind with two first place votes and 41 points. Trailing closely behind Saint Mary's were San Diego and San Francisco who tied for fourth with 31 points a piece.
The junior Rudel earned his first Preseason Team selection this year after being a staple among the WCC's best over his first two seasons. As a freshman, Rudel was named to the All-WCC Freshmen Team and notched game-winning goals over Santa Clara and Pittsburgh. Last season, Rudel tied for the third most goals in the conference with six and recorded the first SMC hat trick since 2006 in a 5-0 thumping over Loyola Marymount, ultimately landing him All-WCC First Team recognition.
Saint Mary's begins non-conference play on Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. versus Incarnate Word. Tickets for the home contest can be purchased by clicking here, calling the Saint Mary's Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx, or at the stadium entrance prior to the match.
2018 WEST COAST CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
1. Pacific (4) 44
2. Portland (2) 41
3. Saint Mary's (1) 32
T4. San Diego (1) 31
T4. San Francisco 31
6. Santa Clara 19
7. Loyola Marymount 16
8. Gonzaga 10
2018 ALL-WCC PRESEASON MEN'S SOCCER TEAM
Name Institution Yr. Pos.
Miguel Berry San Diego Jr. F
Sean Bowman San Francisco Sr. M
Tariq Branche Pacific Jr. F
Santiago Digiuseppe San Francisco Sr. M
Aaron Frey San Diego So. D
Henry Lander San Diego Jr. D
Benji Michel Portland Jr. F
Rey Ortiz Portland Jr. M
Camden Riley Pacific Sr. M
Jake Rudel Saint Mary's Jr. F
Wouter Verstraaten Pacific Sr. D
Players Mentioned
F
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