Mountaineers Ranked No. 3 in Preseason Poll
August 06, 2024 05:32 PM | Men's Soccer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University men's soccer team is ranked No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, the organization announced on Tuesday.
It is the highest preseason ranking in program history, surpassing a mark set in 2022 when they entered the season at No. 6.
The Mountaineers are coming off a record-breaking season in which they went 17-3-4 and advanced to the NCAA College Cup for the first time in program history. Defending national champion Clemson clocks in at No. 1 in the poll while fellow finalist Notre Dame is No. 2.
Along with West Virginia, fellow Sun Belt member Marshall checked in a No. 8 while James Madison is No. 18 and UCF is No. 19. Kentucky also received votes in the poll.
WVU returns 18 players from last season's squad, including All-American and first-round MLS SuperDraft pick Marcus Caldeira. The Mountaineers also return All-Sun Belt selection Frederik Jorgensen and add two All-Sun Belt first teamers in Simon Carlson (Georgia State) and Ethan Dekel Daks (South Carolina) via the transfer portal.
The Mountaineers will open the season on Thursday, Aug. 22, against Purdue Fort Wayne. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
It is the highest preseason ranking in program history, surpassing a mark set in 2022 when they entered the season at No. 6.
The Mountaineers are coming off a record-breaking season in which they went 17-3-4 and advanced to the NCAA College Cup for the first time in program history. Defending national champion Clemson clocks in at No. 1 in the poll while fellow finalist Notre Dame is No. 2.
Along with West Virginia, fellow Sun Belt member Marshall checked in a No. 8 while James Madison is No. 18 and UCF is No. 19. Kentucky also received votes in the poll.
WVU returns 18 players from last season's squad, including All-American and first-round MLS SuperDraft pick Marcus Caldeira. The Mountaineers also return All-Sun Belt selection Frederik Jorgensen and add two All-Sun Belt first teamers in Simon Carlson (Georgia State) and Ethan Dekel Daks (South Carolina) via the transfer portal.
The Mountaineers will open the season on Thursday, Aug. 22, against Purdue Fort Wayne. Kickoff at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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