Butler Tabbed as Horizon League Preseason Favorite in Men's Soccer
INDIANAPOLIS– Butler sits atop the Horizon League men’s soccer preseason poll with 61 points, the conference office announced today. All nine league coaches took part in the voting as Green Bay finished a close second with 60 points and UIC and Valparaiso tied-for-third with 44 points each.
Butler enters the 2010 campaign as defending regular season champions as the Bulldogs tallied a league record of 6-1-1. Last year BU received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament after suffering a loss to Green Bay in the Horizon League championship game.
Butler will be led by 2009 Conference Coach of the Year Kelly Findley and piloted on the field by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Matt Hedges. The Bulldogs allowed a conference-best four goals in league games last year while ranking second in points and goals per game. Last season’s Newcomer of the Year Julian Cardona, looks to spearhead the offense as the forward recorded six goals and three assists in 2009.
No. 2 Green Bay is coming off its best season in league history. The 2009 Phoenix finished the regular season 6-2-0 and claimed its first Horizon League title with a 3-2 shootout victory over Butler in the conference title game. Green Bay will be captained by 2009 Horizon League Player of the Year J.C. Banks. Banks paced the conference in most offensive categories last year including points (36), goals scored (13) and assists (10).
Splitting the No. 3 spot in the preseason poll is Valparaiso and UIC. The Crusaders return the league’s top goalkeeper Ryan Schwarz as the senior racked up seven shutouts in 19 games last season. The Flames welcome back scoring threat sophomore Ivan Stanisavljevic as the forward notched seven goals in 2009.
The season officially kicks off on Wednesday, September 1 with six of the nine league squads taking the field. The Horizon League Championship is set with first-round games on November 9 being played at campus sites before moving to the No. 1 seed for semi-final and championship game action on November 12 and 14.
Team Points 1st place votes
1. Butler 61 5
2. Green Bay 60 4
T3. UIC 44
T3. Valparaiso 44
5. Loyola 33
6. Cleveland State 32
7. Milwaukee 22
8. Wright State 19
9. Detroit 9
