University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Athletics

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Belton, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men’s soccer team has been picked to finish second in the American Southwest Conference in the league’s annual Preseason Coaches Poll. The Cru totaled 349 points in balloting of the league’s coaches and sports information directors and picked up nine first-place votes. Defending ASC champion Hardin-Simmons took 12 of the 28 first-place votes and totaled 362 points as the coach’s choice to successfully defend its ASC championship. Texas-Tyler was picked to finish third after receiving two first-place votes and 305 total points, University of the Ozarks totaled 293 points as the pick to finish in fourth place and Mississippi College rounded out the top five with two first-place votes and 284 total points. Texas-Dallas picked up one first-place vote and 252 total points for sixth place, Schreiner University grabbed a first-place vote and recorded 236 total points for seventh place, Howard Payne’s 222 points was good for eighth place, Texas Lutheran totaled 163 points for ninth place and East Texas Baptist is picked tenth with 160 total points. LeTourneau University is 11^th with 117 points, Concordia Texas is picked 12^th with 85 total points, McMurry University claimed the other first-place vote and 66 total points for 13^th place and Louisiana College is picked to finish 14^th with 46 total points.

            Mississippi College senior forward Michael Cooper was voted ASC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Hardin-Simmons senior defender Chris O’Brien took ASC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.

            The Cru finished 14-4-1 overall and 11-2 in ASC play last season won the ASC regular season title. UMHB hosted the ASC Championship Tournament for the first time in school history and fell to Hardin-Simmons on penalty kicks in the ASC Championship match. The Cru then advanced to the NCAA Division III National Championships for the first time in school history Head coach Brad Bankhead welcomes back 18 letter winners and eight starters from that team this season. The UMHB men will open the 2010 season at home with the ASC-SCAC Challenge. The Cru will take on Southwestern University at 5:00 PM on September 3^rd before facing Trinity University in a 5:00 PM start on September 4^th.