Wake Forest Athletics
Men's Soccer Picked Fourth in ACC Preseason Poll
8/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 19, 2009
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Wake Forest men's soccer team was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 2009 ACC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Wednesday afternoon.
Wake Forest earned a total of 55 points to place fourth in the poll. The Demon Deacons return four starters from the 2008 team that won the ACC regular season title with a 7-0-1 record and had an overall record of 21-2-1, advancing to the NCAA College Cup for the third straight year. M.A.C. Hermann Trophy candidates Corben Bone and Ike Opara are among the returning starters for the Deacs.
North Carolina edged out Virginia for the top spot in the poll. The Tar Heels received five first-place votes and 73 points overall, while Virginia had four first-place votes and 72 points. Defending national champion Maryland was picked third with 64 points overall.
Rounding out the preseason poll in order of projected finish are Wake Forest, NC State (40 points), Boston College (37 points), Duke (32 points), Clemson (23 points) and Virginia Tech (9 points).
Wake Forest takes the field for the first time this season on Saturday, when it hosts Liberty in an exhibition match at 7 p.m. The regular season opener is September 1 at 7 p.m. (ET) at home against William & Mary.
2009 ACC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. North Carolina (5), 73 points
2. Virginia (4), 72 points
3. Maryland, 64 points
4. Wake Forest, 55 points
5. NC State, 40 points
6. Boston College, 37 points
7. Duke, 32 points
8. Clemson, 23 points
9. Virginia Tech, 9 points
