Aug. 5, 2005
GREENSBORO, N.C. -
The Maryland Terrapins have been picked to finish third in the 2005 Atlantic Coast Conference men's soccer season, as determined by a vote of the league's nine head coaches. The Duke Blue Devils, who advanced to the College Cup with Maryland in 2004, were picked to finish first and North Carolina was picked second.
A season removed from advancing to the College Cup in Carson, Calif., the Blue Devils tallied 74 points including five first-place votes en route to being named the conference preseason favorite. Duke returns 15 letterwinners and seven starters, including 2004 ACC Freshman of the Year Michael Videira who led the Blue Devils and was second in the league in assists with 15 a season ago. Last year, Duke finished the season 18-6-0 and placed in a tie for third with a mark of 4-3-0.
North Carolina was picked to finish second receiving 66 points and two first-place votes. The Tar Heels return 18 letterwinners and seven starters from last year's squad that finished 10-9-2 overall and 4-3-0 in league play. All-ACC honoree Corey Ashe returns for his junior campaign after leading the Tar Heels last season in goals (9) and sharing the team lead in points with 18.
Maryland is the coaches' pick to finish third after accumulating 63 points and two first-place votes. The Terrapins are coming off their third consecutive trip to the College Cup. Maryland returns seven starters and 14 letterwinners from last year's team that placed second in the ACC with a 4-2-1 conference mark and an overall ledger of 17-6-2.
Completing the preseason poll in order of projected finish are Virginia (59), Wake Forest (39), Boston College (33), Clemson (30), NC State (21) and Virginia Tech (20). Below is a listing of the preseason coaches' poll with 2004 records.
2005 Preseason ACC Men's Soccer Poll
School Points
1. Duke (5) 74
2. North Carolina (2) 66
3. Maryland (2) 63
4. Virginia 59
5. Wake Forest 39
6. Boston College 33
7. Clemson 30
