Aug. 21, 2012

• 2012 Schedule | 2012 Roster | Ticket Information | Patriot League Release

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy men's soccer team was selected fourth in the preseason Patriot League poll in voting done by the league coaches and sports information directors the league office announced today. The Midshipmen totaled 64 points and garnered one first-place vote to be placed just behind Lehigh's 67 points overall. Navy was one of four teams to earn a first-place vote.

Defending Patriot League Tournament champion Colgate was tabbed first with 91 points and eight first-place votes. The Midshipmen host Colgate in the regular-season finale on November 3 in Annapolis.

Last year's regular-season champion American was picked second with 85 points and five first-place votes. Lehigh was third with 67 points and was followed by Navy with 64 points and one first-place vote. The fourth-place selection is Navy's highest in the preseason poll since 2002.

Lafayette was fifth with 48 points and the last two remaining first-place votes. Bucknell (sixth; 47 points), Army (seventh; 31 points) and Holy Cross (eighth; 15 points) rounded out the poll.

In addition, the Patriot League announced the preseason all-league teams with American's Alessane Kane grabbing offensive player of the year honors and Colgate's Patrick Letorneau being named the defensive player of the year.

Navy had zero players on the preseason all-league team. American and Colgate led the way with three selections each. Bucknell and Lafayette had two each and Lehigh had one player on the team. Navy also had zero players on last year's postseason All-Patriot League team.

The Midshipmen are coming off a 7-7-5 overall record and return eight starters and 16 letterwinners from last year's team. The Midshipmen open the season on Saturday at No. 23-ranked Old Dominion, beginning at 7:00 PM in Norfolk, Va. Live stats and video ($9.95) are provided via links on NavySports.com(.)

# GO NAVY #