Men's Soccer Favored to Repeat as ECC Champions in 2013
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Aug. 29, 2013) - On Thursday, the LIU Post men's soccer team got an overwhelming 10 of a possible 11 first-place votes, and was chosen to capture its second-straight league crown, as the East Coast Conference put out its preseason poll for 2013.
The Pioneers were the unanimous favorite, amassing an impressive 119 points. Bridgeport had the slight advantage for the second spot, collecting 99 points to NYIT's 96. Mercy (73 points) ranked fourth in the tally, while Dowling and St. Thomas Aquinas tied for fifth with 63 points each. The Spartans also earned the last first-place vote.
Queens (59 points) came in seventh, and narrowly beat out Roberts Wesleyan (56 points), which landed in the No. 8 slot. Molloy followed in ninth with 49 points. District of Columbia (37 points) and ECC newcomer Daemen (12 points) rounded things out.
LIU Post senior forward Cemil Turan (Staten Island, N.Y.) was heralded as the East Coast Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. In 2012, he recorded 15 goals and four assists for a 34-point output. Five of those tallies also proved to be game-winners. As a result, the Staten Island native was named to the NSCAA All-America second-team, and earned ECC Offensive Player of the Year praise for the second time in as many seasons.
Head Coach Andreas Lindberg and the No. 8 Pioneers start up the 2013 campaign next Thursday (Sept. 5) at home against Concordia. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
2013 ECC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. LIU Post (10 First-Place Votes) - 119 Points
2. Bridgeport - 99 Points
3. NYIT - 96 Points
4. Mercy - 73 Points
5. Dowling - 63 Points
5. St. Thomas Aquinas (One First-Place Vote) - 63 Points
7. Queens - 59 Points
8. Roberts Wesleyan - 56 Points
9. Molloy - 49 Points
10. District of Columbia - 37 Points
11. Daemen - 12 Points