ROCK HILL, S.C - Anderson University men's soccer has been predicted to finish third in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coach's Poll while four players garner preseason All-SAC honors, announced by the league office on Tuesday.
The Trojans finished 11-6-3 overall during the 2018 campaign with a South Atlantic Conference Tournament championship match appearance and an NCAA bid. The Trojans won their last eight of 10 contests, including a 3-2 victory over powerhouse Limestone in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to nationally ranked Lander, 1-0, to end an outstanding season.
Lenoir-Rhyne has been selected as the favorite to win the 2019 SAC Championship, earning 6 first place votes and a total of 101 points. Queens picked up two first place earning a total of 100 points for a second place prediction. Anderson earned a first place vote landing in the third spot with 83 points. Wingate and Tusculum each earned 81 points to occupy the fourth slot with the Railsplitters earning 68 points to claim the sixth slot. Carson-Newman earned 67 points and the seventh position while Newberry, Mars Hill, Coker and Catawba the final five positions of the SAC 2019 Preseason Poll.
The Trojans were well represented in the preseason All-Conference selections with juniors Lucas Mostajo and Gal Elyashiv earning first-team accolades while senior Ryan Tyrer and junior Harry Ward landed on the second-team.
Mostajo anchored the backline which only allowed 12 goals during the 2018 regular season action including five shutouts. Mostajo posted 14 starts and nearly 1300 minutes of action. The native of France earned All-SAC second team and All-Southeast Region honors to for his stellar play.
Elyashiv led the conference in save % (.831) and Goal Against Average (.810). The sophomore keeper recorded 64 games with 4 shutouts earning All-SAC second team honors.
Tyrer also anchored the backline while contributing on the offensive side. The junior defender scored two goals and was credited with one assist helping him earn All-SAC second team and All-Southeast Region honors.
Ward was instrumental in the Black and Gold's successful season. Ward scored four goals with three being game winners. The junior from Clarksville, Ga. was credited with two assists and named to the SAC All-Tournament Team a season ago.
Anderson will open its 2019 campaign on September 5th when it travels to Clayton State. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.
2019 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
|
Rank |
School (First Place Votes) |
Points |
|
1. |
Lenoir-Rhyne (6) |
101 |
|
2. |
Queens (2) |
100 |
|
3. |
Anderson (1) |
83 |
|
T-4. |
Wingate (1) |
81 |
|
T-4. |
Tusculum (1) |
81 |
|
6. |
Lincoln Memorial |
68 |
|
7. |
Carson-Newman |
67 |
|
8. |
Newberry |
40 |
|
9. |
Mars Hill |
38 |
|
10. |
Coker |
33 |
|
11. |
Catawba |
23 |
Men's Soccer 2019 Preseason All-Conference
First Team
F – Soren Nygaard, Wingate
F – Sebastian Bertilsson, Mars Hill
F – Ibrahim Nadir, Newberry
F – Tobias Solem Karlsen, Carson-Newman
MF – Greg Evans, Carson-Newman
MF – Victor Cascon, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Elliot Cutts, Wingate
D – Lucas Mostajo, Anderson
D – Georgios Charkoutsakis, Tusculum
D – Alan Brandao, Lincoln Memorial
D – Michael Hornsby, Queens
GK – Gal Elyashiv, Anderson
Second Team
F – Hunter Faust, Catawba
F – Goncalo Garcia, Lenoir-Rhyne
F – Harry Ward, Anderson
MF – Henrique Devens, Tusculum
MF – Carles Montoliu Lobo, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Mattia Ditommaso, Wingate
MF – Edgar Cervantes, Tusculum
D – Jeppe Christensen, Mars Hill
D – Clément Dagorn, Tusculum
D – Julio Neto, Lincoln Memorial
D – Ryan Tyrer, Anderson
GK – Sebastian Kalk, Queens
GK - Alejandro Quiriti, Tusculum
