Horizon League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll Released

Posted: Aug 20, 2009

Aug. 20, 2009

Cleveland, Ohio - The Cleveland State men's soccer team was selected to finish fourth in the Horizon League this year in the preseason poll voted on by the league's head coaches. The Vikings return after a 9-8-3 season, where they made it to the Horizon League Championship match losing a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to Loyola.

The preseason poll, which was released this afternoon, tabbed UIC as the favorite to win with the Flames receiving six first place votes and 62 overall points. Loyola came in second and Butler finished third. Rounding out the rankings were Green Bay, Valparaiso, Milwaukee, Wright State and Detroit.

"The poll seems fair this year because it's how the teams ended the 2008 season," head coach Ali Kazemaini said. "UIC and Loyola both made it to the NCAA tournament and Butler was nationally ranked, so having them be the top three teams is fitting."

CSU returns 10 starters from last season, including leading scorers Slavisa Ubiparipovic and Mitch Boyer. The Vikings also return the entire defense, which posted six shutouts and held their opponents to 29 goals. Seniors Slavisa Ubiparipovic, Mitch Boyer and Stephen Byer along with sophomore Justin Mancine were named to All-Horizon League teams last season, giving CSU the fourth best showing out of the league teams.

"It will be a good starting point for the season," Kazemaini said. "It gives us something to work on throughout the upcoming season."

The Vikings will start working right away as exhibition play begins this Sunday, Aug. 23 against Duquesne at Lost Nation Sports Park. The match is set to begin at 2:00 p.m..

2009 Horizon League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

Rank,Team,Total Points (First-Place Votes)
1.UIC, 62, (6)
2.Loyola, 56, (2)
3.Butler, 49, (1)
4.Cleveland State, 44
5.Green Bay, 38
6.Valparaiso, 25
7.Milwaukee, 22
8.Wright State, 16
9.Detroit, 12