Aug. 28, 2007

2007 Patriot League Men's Soccer Webguide
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Following a vote taken by the Patriot League's eight head coaches and sports information directors, Lehigh was selected first in the 2007 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll. The Mountain Hawks received 11 first-place votes and 95 overall points. Coaches and sports information directors cannot vote for their own team.

Defending Patriot League Tournament champion Bucknell notched the second spot in the poll, earning four first-place votes and 83 total points. Last season's other championship game participant, the Lafayette Leopards, earned the number three spot in the poll, racking up one first-place vote and 77 total points. Rounding out the rest of the preseason poll were Colgate (62 points), American (47), Army (39), Navy (28), and Holy Cross (17).

The Mountain Hawks were a dominating force in Patriot League play a year ago, moving through the League portion of the schedule undefeated. The 15 overall wins posted by Lehigh were the most in program history as well. Lehigh received an at-large bid to last year's NCAA Tournament, where they posted a 1-1 record. The squad enters the 2007 season ranked in two national preseason polls, coming in at No. 16 in the College Soccer News Preseason Top 30 Poll, and at No. 19 in the NSCAA/adidas Preseason Poll. Reigning Patriot League BRINE Coach of the Year Dean Koski returns eight starters from last year's team, and will depend on the return of juniors Jim Taranto and Adam Gazda to provide an offensive spark.

Bucknell will have the benefit of experience on the pitch this year, as the Bison welcome back 23 letter winners and 10 starters from last year's Patriot League Tournament championship team. Senior goalkeeper Joey Kuterbach returns to play between the pipes following a season in which he finished in the top four of every statistical category for goalkeepers. The Bison also return 2006 Patriot League BRINE Rookie of the Year Nathan LaGrave, who led the team in scoring with 16 points a year ago.

Lafayette once again finds itself at the top of the preseason mix, following yet another solid season in 2006. Head Coach Dennis Bohn will once again have a strong group of upperclassmen to rely on, as senior co-captains Scott Hawkins, Anthony Sepe, and Luke Sullivan each earned a spot on the 2006 All-Patriot League Second Team. Freshman forward B.J. Glenn has been named to the College Soccer News "100 Freshmen to Keep an Eye On" list for the upcoming season.

Colgate was the fourth member of last year's Patriot League tournament, and will turn to junior goalkeeper and 2006 Patriot League BRINE Goalkeeper of the Year David Cappuccio to help make it their once again. Cappuccio turned in an outstanding performance a year ago, as he finished in the top 20 in two NCAA statistical categories, ranking 10th in goals against average and 20th in save percentage.

Since joining the Patriot League in 2001, the American men's soccer program has certainly made its mark. The Eagles will hope to make somewhat of a different mark this year, namely Larry Mark, who finished in the top 10 in both goals and points last season. American also returns co-captain and goalkeeper Chris Sedlak, who led the League in saves in '06.

The Army Black Knights led the Patriot League in both goals per game and points per game during the 2006 season. Senior Chase Hunter will once again lead the offensive attack for Army, as he finished sixth in the League in points per game a year ago.

Navy Head Coach Rich Miranda, who begins his third season at the helm of the Midshipmen, welcomes back 17 letter winners from a year ago, and will rely on the veteran leadership of senior defenseman and co-captain Will Riordon.

Holy Cross returns nine starters from last year's team, including senior co-captain Felipe Castrillon, who ranked in the top 10 in both points and goals in '06.

The 2007 season will kick off on Friday, Aug. 31 with American, Army, Bucknell, Colgate, Lafayette and Navy in action. Lehigh and Holy Cross begin their season the following afternoon. The 2007 Patriot League Tournament will take place Friday and Sunday, Nov. 16 and 18 at the site of the highest seed.

For more information on Patriot League men's soccer refer to the 2007 Patriot League Men's Soccer Webguide.

2007 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll