GNAC Releases Men’s Soccer Pre-Season Poll
Albertus Magnus Edges Saint Joseph's (ME) in Men's Soccer Pre-Season Poll
BOSTON, Mass. – Separated by just two points, the Albertus Magnus College men's soccer team edged out Saint Joseph's College (ME) to take the top spot in the 2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Pre-Season Poll. With six first place votes and 113 points the Falcons have been picked first after last season's disappointing exit in the GNAC Semifinals while the Monks finished with 111 points and five first place votes to come in a close second after capturing the 2011 GNAC tournament championship. Norwich University rounded out the top three with a solid showing of 100 points while Lasell College ranked fourth overall with 85 points.
Saint Joseph's College (ME) returns junior forward Zach Johnson who finished the 2011 season with a team-high 17 goals while ranking second among conference leaders. Junior midfielder Ross Suleski also returns after posting nine assists a year ago to rank second in the GNAC. The Monks welcome 12 freshman to their 2012 roster and will look to transition some young talent with the help of the veteran returners from last year's championship squad. One key returner include junior goalkeeper Kenny Grade who posted a league-low 1.02 goals against average last year.
Emerson College ranked fifth in the poll with 78 points while Emmanuel College ranked sixth with 65 points for their highest pre-season ranking to date. Suffolk University tallied 52 points in seventh place while Mount Ida College was just behind them in eighth with 50 points. Johnson & Wales University collected 41 points to finish the poll in the ninth spot. Rounding out the poll were Anna Maria College and Rivier University with 22 and 14 points, respectively.
2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Pre-Season Coaches' Poll |
|||
Rank |
Institution |
First Place |
Total Points |
1 |
Albertus Magnus College |
6 |
113 |
2 |
Saint Joseph's College (ME) |
5 |
111 |
3 |
Norwich University |
100 |
|
4 |
Lasell College |
85 |
|
5 |
Emerson College |
78 |
|
6 |
Emmanuel College |
65 |
|
7 |
Suffolk University |
52 |
|
8 |
Mount Ida College |
|
50 |
9 |
Johnson & Wales University |
41 |
|
10 |
Anna Maria College |
22 |
|
11 |
Rivier University |
|
14 |