Men's Soccer Picked Second in UAA Preseason Coaches Poll

St. Louis, Mo., August 19, 2009 – The Washington University in St. Louis men’s soccer team was picked second in the 2010 University Athletic Association (UAA) Preseason Conference Coaches’ Poll, as announced Thursday by the conference office.

The University of Rochester was selected by the head coaches for the second-straight year to claim the UAA championship. The Yellowjackets finished in a three-way tie for first place with Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Chicago to share the 2009 UAA title with a 5-1-1 record in the Association.

Rochester received five first-place votes to sit atop the poll, while Carnegie Mellon, Emory University, and Washington University finished tied for second, with Carnegie Mellon receiving two first-place votes. Chicago was picked fifth and earned the remaining first-place vote, while Case Western Reserve University, New York University and Brandeis University rounded out the poll.

Washington U. returns nine starters from last year’s team, including eight of its top-10 goal scorers from a year ago and the entire starting backfield, a unit that allowed just 16 goals scored all of last year. Headlining the defensive unit is a pair of first-team all-UAA honorees in seniors Harry Beddo and Randall Schoen. The Bears also bring back senior Alex Neumann and junior Cody Costakis, who earned honorable Mention all-UAA accolades a year ago.

Washington University opens the 2010 season at home on Wednesday, Sept. 1, against Webster University. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Francis Field.