Aug. 20, 2009

Center Valley, Pa.- Colgate was chosen as the favorite to win the 2009 Patriot League Men's Soccer championship in a preseason vote by head coaches and sports information directors. The winners of the past two Patriot League championships, the Raiders received 12 first-place votes and 95 overall points. Coaches and sports information directors could not vote for their own teams.

American received the other four first place votes and 86 points overall, leaving them in the second position in the poll. Lafayette was picked third with 60 points, followed closely by Holy Cross (58), Bucknell (57) and Lehigh (49). Navy was selected seventh with 26 points, while Army was tabbed eighth with 17.

Coaches and sports information directors also voted for Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year for the second consecutive season. Kyle Miller of Holy Cross was voted Preseason Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, while American's Cooper Bryant was selected as the Preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.

Colgate comes into the 2009 season having won the past two Patriot League championships. Last year's squad won 12 games, its most victories since winning 13 contests in 1994. The Raiders finished the Patriot League regular season with a 5-1-1 record and won their fourth League title. Colgate advanced to its third NCAA Tournament, where it fell to Boston College. The Raiders return seven starters, including senior midfielder Alex Weekes, who started all 21 games last season and scored a team-high 21 points (eight goals, five assists). Earlier this month, Weekes was one of 38 NCAA Division I men's soccer players named to the Hermann Trophy watch list.

American, which tied Colgate for the top regular season record in Patriot League play a year ago, enters the 2009 campaign with 10 returning starters and 23 returning letter-winners. Seniors Cooper Bryant and Karsten Smith will anchor the back line for 10th-year head coach Todd West. Sophomore Jack Scott is expected to pace the Eagles' attack after leading the team with nine points (four goals, one assist) as a freshman.

Lafayette returns nine starters from a squad that finished 8-6-5 overall and 3-1-3 in the Patriot League last season. The Leopards welcome back leading scorer B.J. Glenn, who notched a team-best 14 points and six goals in his sophomore season. Lafayette also returns two starting goalkeepers in Philip Nelson and Andrew Pianko, who recorded a combined seven shutouts.

In February, Ted Priestly became the 10th coach in the history of the Holy Cross men's soccer program. After winning 131 games in 12 seasons at UMASS-Lowell, Priestly inherits a program that returns seven starters from a year ago. The Crusaders won nine contests last season, thanks in large part to Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Kyle Miller's nine goals. Also returning is senior goalkeeper Thomas Booth, who allowed 16 goals in 19 games.

With the return of 2008 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Conor O'Brien, Bucknell will look to build upon its 8-8-3 record from a year ago. O'Brien, who notched seven goals and eight assists as a junior, was named to the Hermann Trophy watch list earlier this month. He is one of six returning starters for head coach Brendan Nash.

Veteran Lehigh head coach Dean Koski will have 10 returning starters to open the 2009 season, including the team's leading scorer from a year ago, Adam Gazda. The midfielder produced six goals and three assists as a junior, helping lead the Mountain Hawks to a 7-7-3 finish.

Navy will be under the director of new head coach Dave Brandt, who won 246 games in 12 seasons at Messiah College. Brandt will have the services of 10 returning starters from a team that went 4-11-3 overall and 0-6-1 in the Patriot League in 2008. Junior Mike Porcelli is expected to pace the Navy front line after scoring a team-high four goals last season.

Rounding out the poll is Army, which will attempt to improve upon its 3-14-0 record from last season. While attempting to replace starting goalkeeper AJ Glubzinski, Bryan Connolly and the Black Knights' attack will be called upon for added assistance. Connolly led the team with three goals and three assists last season.

Millier, a 2008 First-Team All-Patriot League selection, led the Patriot League with nine goals last season. He finished the year ranked third in points with 18.

Bryant helped American produce six shutouts during the season. With the aid of Bryant's play on the back line, the Eagles limited their Patriot League foes to just five goals during the regular season.

The Patriot League season begins Sept. 1 with six teams in non-League action to begin a full opening weekend of play.

2009 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

2009 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Awards

Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Kyle Miller, Holy Cross
Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Cooper Bryant, American