Monmouth The Pick In Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
MAAC Sports
Monmouth Picked To Win 2013 MAAC Men’s Soccer Race In Preseason Coaches Poll
EDISON, NJ – The Monmouth University men’s soccer team has been chosen as a narrow favorite to win the 2013 MAAC title in the annual preseason poll of the MAAC’s head coaches. Monmouth, which will be competing in its first season in the MAAC, received 111 points to edge runnerup Iona, which received 110 points.
Monmouth begins its inaugural season in the MAAC in 2013 after a dominant run in the Northeast Conference. The Hawks, who were 11-4-4 last season, officially became members of the MAAC on July 1 along with Quinnipiac. Under the direction of 10th year head coach Robert McCourt, the Hawks won seven regular season titles and four tournament crowns in the past decade.
Preseason runnerup Iona looks to make its fifth consecutive trip to the MAAC Championship tournament this season. The Gaels were 5-2 in league play last season, and 7-11 overall, and are led by senior midfielder Franklin Castellanos, a two-time first team All-MAAC selection.
Fairfield, with 97 points, was selected by the coaches to finish third, followed by Niagara (78), Siena (76), Quinnipiac (72), Canisius (48), Marist (46), Saint Peter’s (33), Manhattan (30) and Rider (24).
Junior back Roberto Fernandez-Andersson of defending champion Niagara was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year. The 6-2 Andersson, who was born in Spain and hails from Norrkoping, Sweden, was a second team All-MAAC selection last year and anchored the Purple Eagles defense last season, leading the Purple Eagles to a 13-2-4 mark. Niagara blanked Loyola 1-0 in the MAAC Championship game last year, and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Preseason Coaches Poll
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1.
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Monmouth
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111
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2
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Iona
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110
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3.
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Fairfield
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97
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4.
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Niagara
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78
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5.
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Siena
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76
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6.
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Quinnipiac
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72
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7.
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Canisius
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48
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8.
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Marist
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46
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9.
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Saint Peters
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34
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10.
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Manhattan
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30
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11.
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Rider
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24
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Preseason All-MAAC Team
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Callum Wilmott
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Forward
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Niagara
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Samuel Adjei
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Forward
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Iona
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Jordan Ayris
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Forward
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Fairfield
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Reco McLaren
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Forward
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Fairfield
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James Beeston
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Midfielder
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Siena
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Franklin Castellanos
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Midfielder
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Iona
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Joseph Schmid
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Midfielder
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Monmouth
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George Newton
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Back
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Fairfield
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Falko Friedrichs
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Back
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Siena
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Roberto Fernandez-Andersson
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Back
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Niagara
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Alex De Carolis
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Back
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Canisius
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Emmanuel Senyah Agyemang
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Back
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Monmouth
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Matt Jeffrey
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Back
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Monmouth
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Carlos Suarez
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Goalie
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Saint Peter’s
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Borja Angoitia
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Goalie
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Quinnipiac
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2013 Preseason MAAC Player of the Year
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Roberto Andersson
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Back
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Niagara
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