University of Albany Men's Soccer Chosen Fourth in America East Conference Preseason Poll - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. - The University at Albany has been chosen to finish fourth in the 2009 America East Conference Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll, as announced by the league office on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The Great Danes, who received 30 points in the poll and one first-place vote, kick off their season on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. when they host Northeastern of the Colonial Athletic Association at Varsity Field.

Boston University, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year, was unanimously picked to win the conference title. The Terriers earned the maximum seven first-place votes and 49 points. Binghamton, which has made six straight appearances in the conference championship match, was tabbed to finish second with 39 points. Vermont was picked third with 34 points, followed by UAlbany, Hartford, New Hampshire, Stony Brook and UMBC.

UAlbany returns five starters, including 2008 America East Striker of the Year Claudio Dantas, from a squad which proved to be the surprise team in the league last year. The Great Danes finished second in the regular-season standings and matched the program's best Division I record of 12-4-2 despite being picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll. In addition, the squad's nine-win improvement tied for third in the nation. Konner McNamara, a 2008 all-rookie squad selection who will anchor the defense, along with midifelders Milos Jankovic and Ian Peach, and forward Shaun Kane, are also returning starters. Adrian Foncette, who posted three shutouts in four starts as a freshman last fall, will take over the goalkeeping duties.

The top six teams in the conference will advance to the America East Conference Championship. All of the matches in the conference's postseason tournament will be played at the higher seed, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. In 2007, the league sent two teams to the NCAAs.

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2009 America East Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll

1. Boston University (7) 49 points; 2. Binghamton 39 points; 3. Vermont 34 points; 4. UAlbany (1) 30 points; 5. Hartford 25 points; 6. New Hampshire 20 points; 7. Stony Brook 15 points; 8. UMBC 12 points.

() - first-place votes.