SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Elon men’s soccer team was selected to finish second in the 2010 Southern Conference poll as voted on by the league’s eight head coaches. The Phoenix also had three players selected to the preseason all-conference team, tied for the most with defending champion Wofford. Senior midfielder Brad Franks, senior goalkeeper
Clint Irwin and reigning league rookie of the year
Chris Thomas all earned spots on the 11-member team.
Preseason favorite College of Charleston picked up 47 points and five first-place votes to sit atop the poll. The Cougars finished in second place in the conference standings in 2009. Elon collected 40 points and a first-place nod, followed by Furman (34 points) and Wofford (30 points). Davidson (25 points) landed in the fifth spot, followed by UNCG (21 points), Appalachian State (19 points) and Georgia Southern (8 points).
Elon is coming off a 10-8-2 season and a trip to the SoCon Tournament championship game. Irwin and the back line helped the Phoenix to 10 shutouts in 2009, a single-season school record. The senior keeper is tied for the Elon career record with 19 clean slates over his first three seasons. On the offensive front, Thomas netted a team-high 10 goals in his freshman campaign and led the squad with 23 points. The Phoenix will be looking for its second SoCon title after having won the crown in 2008.
Elon opens competition this Wednesday night at High Point at 7 p.m.
2010 Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. College of Charleston (5) — 47
2. Elon (1) — 40
3. Furman (1) — 34
4. Wofford — 30
5. Davidson (1) — 25
6. UNCG — 21
7. Appalachian State — 19
8. Georgia Southern — 8
() denotes first-place votes
2010 Men’s Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
F Chris Thomas, Elon
F Kentrel Owens, Wofford
F Wilson Hood, Wofford
F Kareem Yearwood, College of Charleston
MF Alex Caskey, Davidson
MF Brad Franks, Elon
MF Andrew Eppelsheimer, Wofford
D Sean Flatley, College of Charleston
D Will Mack, UNCG
D Greg Macnamara, Davidson
GK Clint Irwin, Elon
-- ELON --
