CHICAGO – Maryland topped the 2014 Big Ten Men's Soccer Preseason Poll, released by the conference office Wednesday. In addition, Tsubasa Endoh, Dan Metzger and Zack Steffen were named to the Players to Watch List.
The Terps return nine starters from last year's squad which advanced to a second consecutive College Cup. Maryland captured its second straight Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2014.
Top returners include Endoh, Metzger and Steffen. Endoh, a junior, and Metzger, a senior captain, will look to seal up the midfield while Steffen is set for his second season in front of the net.
Endoh appeared in all 26 games, earning starts in 25, and notched three goals and six assists on as a sophomore in 2014. Metzger was an All-ACC First Team selection as arguably the most instrumental player in the Terps' successful campaign a year ago. Steffen, one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the U.S., was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team as a rookie in 2014.
Maryland hosts its lone exhibition match Saturday at 7 p.m. against Delaware at Ludwig Field. The Terps hit the road for the season opener at No. 14 Louisville Friday, Aug. 29 before welcoming Coastal Carolina for the home opener Sept. 1.
BIG TEN MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Maryland
2. Michigan State
3. Michigan
4. Penn State
5. Indiana
6. Northwestern
7. Wisconsin
8. Rutgers
9. Ohio State
BIG TEN MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH
Femi Hollinger-Janzen, Indiana, Jr., Forward/Midfield
Tanner Thompson, Indiana, So., Midfield
Jamie Vollmer, Indiana, Sr., Midfield
Dan Metzger, Maryland, Sr., Midfield
Zack Steffen, Maryland, So., Goalkeeper
Tsubasa Endoh, Maryland, Jr., Midfield
Tyler Arnone, Michigan, Sr., Midfield
Adam Grinwis, Michigan, Sr., Goalkeeper
Marcos Ugarte, Michigan, Sr., Midfield
Fatai Alashe, Michigan State, Sr., Midfield
Adam Montague, Michigan State, Sr., Forward
Jay Chapman, Michigan State, Jr., Midfield
Tyler Miller, Northwestern, Sr., Goalkeeper
Nikko Boxall, Northwestern, Sr., Defense
Joey Calistri, Northwestern, Jr., Forward
Alex Ivanov, Ohio State, Sr., Goalkeeper
Kyle Culbertson, Ohio State, Jr., Midfield
Danny Jensen, Ohio State, So., Forward
Andrew Wolverton, Penn State, Sr., Goalkeeper
Mikey Minutillo, Penn State, Sr., Forward
Owen Griffith, Penn State, Sr., Midfield
David Greczek, Rutgers, So., Goalkeeper
Ross Tetro, Rutgers, Jr., Defense
Nathan Bruccoleri, Rutgers, Sr., Midfield
Drew Conner, Wisconsin, Jr., Midfield
David Caban, Wisconsin, Sr., Defense/Midfield
Jacob Brindle, Wisconsin, Sr., Midfield/Forward
