Aug. 19, 2014 BUY TICKETS | 2014 Schedule | LMU on Facebook |
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - LMU men's soccer was named the preseason favorite to repeat as West Coast Conference Champions in 2014, earning all but two possible first-place votes by the league's eight head coaches, the WCC announced Tuesday. In addition, the Lions claimed five spots (of 11) on the 2014 All-WCC Preseason Team.
The 2013 WCC Champs by virtue of a program best 9-2-1 mark, garnered 48 total points as the league expands to eight teams this fall with the addition of Pacific. Santa Clara, last year's runner up, earned the remaining two first-place votes and 43 total points to be selected second.
The third through seventh places are separated by just five points and Portland (27 points) and San Diego (27 points) tied to be picked third, Saint Mary's is fifth (26 points), Gonzaga is sixth (22 points) and San Francisco is seventh (22 points). The newcomer Tigers, fielding a men's soccer team for the first time in 28 years, was selected to finish eighth.
LMU dominated the preseason All-WCC Team as junior goalkeeper Paul Blanchette, senior midfielder Sebastian De Rada, senior midfielder John McFarlin, senior defender Craig Nitti and sophomore midfielder Adrien Perez were all named to the 11-man squad. All five earned WCC honors at the conclusion of last season, including Goalkeeper of the Year honors going to Blanchette. Nitti was also recently named to the 2014 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
San Diego was the only other team to place multiple players on the preseason team while San Francisco, Saint Mary's, Gonzaga and Portland each had one.
The Lions open the 2014 season, the 50th in program history, on August 23, hosting Cal State Northridge in an exhibition match. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sullivan Field.
Season and single-game tickets, along with special family packages and more, are on sale now by visiting LMULions.com/Tickets.
2014 WCC Preseason Men's Soccer Coaches Poll
Team (First Place Vote), Pts.
1. LMU (6), 48
2. Santa Clara (2), 43
3. Portland, 27
3. San Diego, 27
5. Saint Mary's, 26
6. Gonzaga, 23
7. San Francisco, 22
8. Pacific, 8
2014 All-WCC Preseason Men's Soccer Team
Name, Institution, Yr., Pos.
Miguel Aguilar, San Francisco, Sr., F
Paul Blanchette, LMU, Jr., GK
Connor Brandt, San Diego, Sr., M
Bobby Conner, Saint Mary's, Sr., D
Torrey DeArmas, San Diego, Jr., F
Sebastian De Rada, LMU, Sr., M
John McFarlin, LMU, Sr., M
Craig Nitti, LMU, Sr., D
Adrien Perez, LMU, So., M
Clark Phillips, Gonzaga, Sr., F
Eddie Sanchez, Portland, So., M
