THOMASVILLE, N.C. -- Queens University of Charlotte is the pick to win the 2004 CVAC men's soccer championship as voted upon by the league's head coaches. Anderson, trying to rebound from a disappointing 2003 campaign, finished in eighth place in the poll. After winning regular season championships in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003, the Royals hope to have another successful year. Last season, Queens finished 15-3-1 final record and 10-0 in the CVAC. The Royals have a 25-match conference regular-season unbeaten streak (2001-2003). With All-Conference players Oliver Carias, Michael Hensen, Bruce Mottern and Simon Wulliman returning, the Royals are a strong threat in the CVAC and the Southeast Region Lees-McRae enters this year's campaign as the reigning CVAC Tournament Champions with a 15-4 (8-2-0 CVAC) record. Top returnees for the Bobcats include goalkeeper Calvin Dixon (2nd Team All-CVAC), defenders Chris McIntosh (CVAC Tournament MVP), Ian Batson, Lee Rogers and John McLellend. The front line will be young, but talented players including sophomore Shawn Berting, and freshmen Rocky Bravo. At the midfield, the Bobcats will be lead by senior Gerard Ngwang and sophomores Tim Bender (1st team All-CVAC) and Nick Valazquez (2nd Team All-CVAC). Belmont Abbey, with six starters returning, is picked to finish third. Last fall, the Crusaders were 10-7-4 overall and finished third in the CVAC standings at 6-3-1. Leading the way for Belmont Abbey will be junior goalkeeper Sean O'Connor, who led the CVAC in saves and matches played while posting seven shutouts and earning CVAC Honorable Mention. Senior defender B.J. O'Brien is healthy after redshirting in 2003 because of a knee injury. O'Brien is a two-time All-CVAC performer and former 1st team All-Southeast Region sweeper and will anchor the defense in front of O'Connor. Also returning after a redshirt season will be senior Shane Wood, who started 20 games at defense and midfield for the 2002 Crusader team. Rounding out the 2004 preseason poll are: Barton, Pfeiffer, St. Andrews, Mount Olive, Anderson, Limestone, Coker, and Erskine. CVAC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll (# of First Place Votes in Parenthesis) 1. Queens (9) 99 2. Lees-McRae (2) 91 3. Belmont Abbey 82 4. Barton 63 5. Pfeiffer 58 6. St. Andrews 49 7. Mount Olive 48 8. Anderson 46 9. Limestone 29 10. Coker 24 11. Erskine 16