No. 4 West Chester, Mercyhurst Tabbed Favorites in PSAC Men's Soccer Preseason Polls
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- No. 4 West Chester and Mercyhurst topped the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll for their respective divisions, as selected by the league’s coaches, the conference office announced Wednesday afternoon.
With the addition of Shepherd to the PSAC, the sport of men’s soccer will be split into an Eastern and Western Division for the first time since 2009. The East will consist of seven teams while the West has six. The top three of each division will earn a spot in the PSAC postseason.
EAST
West Chester, who is ranked No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, claimed three of the possible seven first-place votes after coming off a postseason push that carried the Golden Rams to a NCAA DII National Championship Match appearance. Over his five-year tenure on the sidelines, head coach Michael Benn has led the Golden Rams to the PSAC Tournament in three consecutive seasons while never receiving a seed lower than No. 2. Benn returns thirteen players and six starters which include striker Doug Goitia. Goitia is the team’s lone returning all-conference member and tied for the team lead in scoring with 19 points last season.
Millersville was tabbed second after winning its second championship and first since 2011. The Marauders claimed three first-place votes while Steve Widdowson enters his 13th season at the helm. Widdowson is a three-time PSAC Coach of the Year and his teams have made ten PSAC tournament appearances and competed in five PSAC Championship games. The Marauders defense will be anchored by Jacob Gosselin and Spencer Shortt. Senior goalkeeper Darian McCauley will lead the backline which includes Nathan Maynard, who was named to the USC All-Region Third-Team.
East Stroudsburg was slated third and will look to capture its 21st PSAC Championship and second in three years. The Warriors return midfielder Marcus Torgersson, forward Irvin Zuzic, and defender Mateo Loredo-Fernandez.
Lock Haven was picked for fourth and received a first-place vote. The Bald Eagles will return all-region performer Beckham Sibiski and midfielder Brian Flatter. Flatter finished tied for third in the PSAC in points with 22 after notching eight goals and six assists. Senior defender Drew Moore returns to anchor the defense after recording seven shutouts last season.
Bloomsburg was selected fifth and returns second-team all-conference honoree Tyler Madeira. Madeira led the team in scoring and became the first Bloomsburg player to reach double figures in goals since 2005.
Shippensburg claimed sixth and returns All-PSAC defender Julian Horstmann, midfielder JJ Saukko and forward Joey Gallucci.
Shepherd came in at number seven with midfielder Shamar Robinson and goalkeeper Jose Machado Orellana.
WEST
Mercyhurst claimed the No. 1 slot after receiving four first-place votes. The Lakers return seven out of their top ten scorers. Henri Tophoven, PSAC Freshman of the Year, will be returning along with starting goalkeeper, Martin Jarc, who recorded four shutouts last season.
Gannon was selected at No. 2 and claimed two first-place votes. The Golden Knights will be led by first-year head coach Billy Colton and will be returning defender and All-PSAC honoree Austin Ludwik. Ludwik led field players with over 1,160 minutes while starting 18 games for the Golden Knights.
Seton Hill claimed the third slot and will return all-region representatives Lloyd Davies and Alex Dysen. Davis will anchor the defense while Dysen looks to lead the offense after tying the team lead in goals (5) last year.
Slippery Rock was selected at No. 4 and will be led by Kevin Wilhelm, who had the interim tag removed after the 2018 season. The Rock returns 14 players including leading goal scorers Luke Picchi and Alexander Vilchek.
Cal U and Pitt-Johnstown rounded out the poll at No. 5 and 6 respectively.
All but Bloomsburg will open their respective seasons Thursday, September 5.
League play will commence Tuesday, September 17.
PSAC Men’s Soccer Preseason Polls
EAST (# of 1st place votes)
1. West Chester (3)
2. Millersville (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Lock Haven (1)
5. Bloomsburg
6. Shippensburg
7. Shepherd
WEST
1. Mercyhurst (4)
2. Gannon (2)
3. Seton Hill
4. Slippery Rock
5. Cal U
6. Pitt-Johnstown