Saint Louis has been picked to repeat as Atlantic 10 men’s soccer champions this season, according to a preseason poll.
The Billikens, who went 15-7 last season, earned an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament last year with a 7-2 record against A-10 conference opponents and after winning the conference tournament as the second seed. SLU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing in overtime to Tulsa.
The Billikens welcome back seven of their starters from last season, including 2009 second-team All-Conference selection Mike Roach and 2009 A-10 Rookie of the Year Alex Sweetin.
Roach, the Conference’s top returning scorer, accumulated 11 goals in 17 games last season and also won the coveted Most Outstanding Player of the A-10 tournament award. Sweetin collected 12 points last season and hopes to improve on last year’s impressive rookie campaign.
Charlotte, who reached the NCAA Tournament last season after receiving a bid, is picked as second in the coaches’ preseason poll and have also received votes in the NSCAA National Rankings.
College Soccer News has the 49ers ranked 25th, returning 8-of-11 starters from a 2009 team that won 11 games.
Dayton is picked third in the league’s poll, followed by Rhode Island and Fordham to round out the top five teams.
A-10 announces preseason team
Massachusetts midfielder Ben Arikian and Roach headline the 2010 Preseason All-Conference Team, as selected by A-10 head coaches.
Members of last year’s team who earned preseason honors this year include Ryan Meara, Timothy Richardson and Dwayne Williams.
Roach, an NCAA Third Team Preseason All-American this season, earned Second Team All-Conference at the end of last season.
Charlotte’s Evan James also received regional praise, being named to the All-Conference Second Team last season.
Last season’s A-10 Rookie of the Year Alex Sweetin and Duquesne forward Josh Patterson are the only two sophomores to earn the award this season.
The rest of the Preseason All-Conference Team includes defenders Isaac Cowles, Tommy Watkins and Tyler Witmer.
A-10 Trio earn national praise
Arikian and Roach, along with goalkeeper Meara, earned 2010 Missouri Athletic Club Walter Hermann Watch List honors.
In 17 games last season, Roach accumulated 24 points, scoring 11 goals while dishing out a pair of assists.
As for Meara, his contributions on the pitch came in multiple levels. Not only did he receive national accolades for the United Soccer League, but he also earned the 2009 NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic and Atlantic 10 First Team honors.
Last season, Meara played all but nine minutes, posting a 9-7-3 record and a 1.02 goals-against average.
He shined in league play, posting a record of 6-1-2, a 0.85 goals-against average, and saved more than 80 percent of balls shot in. In his two-year career, Meara started 38 games and with 15 shutouts.
The MAC Hermann Trophy, which is voted upon by NCAA Division I head coaches that are members of the NSCAA, is the highest individual achievement one can receive in intercollegiate soccer.
Dan Lajoie can be reached at [email protected].
