No. 16 West Chester Tabbed Favorite in PSAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The West Chester Golden Rams were tabbed the favorite in the 2018 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league’s head coaches, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.
WCU landed at No. 16 on the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll while garnering four first-place votes in the PSAC poll. WCU returns after one of its most successful seasons in school history at 14-3-2 while producing a perfect 11-0-0 mark in league play. WCU will remain strong defensively as they return two all-conference defenders in Kyle Hoops and Sami Phelps. Both were essential components in the team’s 10 shutouts last season. WCU also returns sophomore forward Doug Goitia, who tied for the team lead in goals scored.
Gannon earned five first-place votes and was slated second after earning a postseason berth for the second consecutive year and the third time in school history. The Golden Knights posted 11 victories in each of the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and will look to continue the streak this fall. Returning to the field for GU this fall is top scorer Eduardo de Bonis Encinoso, who posted seven goals and two assists in 2017.
Reigning PSAC Champion East Stroudsburg was tabbed third with two first-place votes while tying for 25th in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. In 2017, ESU earned its 20th conference championship and its first since 2007. The Warriors now tie Lock Haven for the most PSAC titles. ESU returns four of its six All-PSAC selections, including first-team all-conference honoree, Eddy Enowbi, who totaled a team-high 20 points with nine goals and two assists. Also returning is second-team all-conference honoree and PSAC Tournament MVP goalkeeper Will Boerema who posted shutouts in all three of the Warriors’ victories in their title run.
Mercyhurst earned a first-place vote and grabbed the fourth spot in the poll. The Lakers made a playoff appearance last season after posting a 12-6-0 record and going 8-3-0 in the conference. Returning is Athlete of the Year Christopher Makengo, who also earned D2CCA All-American and All-Atlantic Region nods. Makengo posted a league-high 12 goals and six assists for 30 points.
Millersville landed fifth and returns athletes Chase Flickinger and Kyle Finsterbush who each earned both All-PSAC and All-Atlantic Region recognition. Flickinger led the team in goals (10) and points (23) while defender Finsterbush helped the Marauders post eight shutouts in 2017.
Seton Hill sits at sixth place having made its fourth PSAC playoff appearance in five seasons in the league. The Griffins return Freshman of the Year Henrik Berg, whose 12 goals led the team, tied for most in the league, and landed him 26th in the nation.
LHU was picked seventh in the poll as head coach Patrick Long enters his third year with the Bald Eagles after earning four of six wins at home. LHU rallied to beat two nationally ranked teams in 2017 with a young roster of 18 underclassmen. LHU will return more experienced as it keeps its two top goal scorers in Beckham Sibiski and Reggie Holt.
Shippensburg, Bloomsburg, and Slippery Rock ranked respectively to complete the top 10.
California and Pitt-Johnstown rounded out the poll.
Nine teams open their respective seasons on Thursday, Aug. 30 while ESU, Millersville, and UPJ begin Saturday, Sept. 1.
PSAC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll
(# of first place votes)
1) West Chester (4)
2) Gannon (5)
3) East Stroudsburg (2)
4) Mercyhurst (1)
5) Millersville
6) Seton Hill
7) Lock Haven
8) Shippensburg
9) Bloomsburg
10) Slippery Rock
11) California
12) Pitt-Johnstown