CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Western Michigan men's soccer team was voted to finish second in the Mid-American Conference according to the preseason coaches' poll. Western Michigan received one first place vote.
Defending regular-season and tournament champion Akron (29 points) was picked to win the conference. Western Michigan (17 points), West Virginia (16) and Buffalo (15), were picked to finish second, third, and fourth this season, respectively.
The Broncos finished the 2015 season second in the MAC with an 11-4-4 overall record and a 3-1-1 conference record. Western Michigan is led by the 2015 Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year,
Chad Wiseman, 2015 First Team All-MAC goalkeeper,
Drew Shepherd and returns two Second Team All-MAC performers in juniors
Zach Bock and
Brandon Bye.
The Broncos have not lost a regular-season match to Akron since 2013. Western Michigan played the Zips, ranked No. 5 in the nation at the time, to a 1-1 tie last year in Kalamazoo. The Broncos defeated Akron on the road in 2014, 1-0, when the Zips were ranked No. 19. The Zips enter this season ranked second in both the NSCAA preseason poll and
College Soccer News preseason poll.
West Virginia has 14 newcomers this season and 13 returning lettermen. Buffalo is led by senior and 2015 MAC Player of the Year Russell Cicerone, who currently ranks third all-time in points in the Bulls program history with 69.
Rounding out the MAC is Bowling Green (fifth) and Northern Illinois (sixth). Regular season play begins Friday, Aug. 26th, with Western Michigan traveling to Marshall for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll Results
Akron – 29 total points (5 first place votes)
Western Michigan – 17 (1)
West Virginia – 16
Buffalo – 15
Bowling Green – 11
Northern Illinois – 2
MAC Tournament Champion: Akron
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