SAC Preseason Poll Topped By Lincoln Memorial.
Lincoln Memorial, a second-year SAC member, received five first-place votes and 61 total points. The Railsplitters were 15-2-3 overall last season, but were not eligible for the conference championship.
LMU returns nine starters off last year’s team which made a run at the national title, including five who were named to the preseason All-Conference team, which was also announced. Goalkeeper Brent Cole was named to the first team.
Lenoir-Rhyne College picked up the other three first-place votes and finished second in the poll with 56 points. The Bears went 19-1-1 last year, winning the Food Lion SAC Tournament championship before ending their season in the Appalachian Region finals with a 1-1 tie against Lincoln Memorial. LMU advanced to the quarterfinals by penalty kicks.
The Bears placed five on the preseason All-Conference squad, including forward Luis Carrizosa and midfielder Aaron Wheeler on the first team. Wheeler had nine goals last year for the Bears, while Carrizosa had four goals and four assists.
The Carson-Newman Eagles, who have won the regular season crown for the past three years, were picked to finish third with 49 total points.
The Eagles put four on the preseason All-Conference team, with all making the first team. Forward Omar Cooke was ninth in the league in total scoring last year with eight goals and six assists. Also making the first team for the Eagles are midfielder Carlos Maqueda, and defenders Thomas Ostvold and Everardo Flores.
Catawba College, with 35 points, is picked to finish fourth in the standings.
Catawba placed three on the preseason All-SAC team with midfielder Ryan Villiard landing on the first team. Villiard ranked sixth in the league in assists per match last year.
Wingate University received 28 points for fifth place in the poll.
Tusculum College, which is fielding a men’s soccer team after a one-year hiatus, is picked to finish sixth. The Pioneers received 25 points.
Newberry College is picked to finish seventh after finishing third last season and placed four on the preseason All-Conference team. Forward Debola Ogunseye, who was third in the league in scoring last season with 16 goals, was one of three Indians on the first team. Midfielder Edsel Rudder and defender Jeff Bell also made the preseason first team.
Mars Hill rounds out the preseason coaches poll. Forward Daniel Waymont, a two-time SAC Scholar Athlete, was named to the preseason All-Conference first team.