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
Team (First Place Votes) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Points
1. Pacific (4) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 44
2. Portland (2) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 41
3. Saint Mary's (1) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 32
T4. San Diego (1) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 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
